Captivate offers powerful integrations that communicate with Blackmagic Design’s ATEM switchers and their Software Control Application. This article describes how to set up your switcher so that Captivate communicates with it properly.

ATEM Software Control

Blackmagic Designs ATEM Software Control Desktop Video Application must be downloaded and installed.

Click here to find the latest version of the Desktop Video Application. The software will be listed as "ATEM Switchers".

Setting up your ATEM

Captivate communicates with the ATEM Software Control Application in order to capture/control stills and synchronizing transitions. Below are two different methods of connection that need to be established.

Connecting to PC with USB-C

The ATEM switcher requires a USB to USB-C cable to connect and access the Software Control Application on your PC. Captivate also relies on this connection so that it can communicate with your ATEM.

Follow these steps to connect your ATEM switcher to your PC and to confirm this connection through ATEM Software Control and Captivate.

Connect the USB-C end to the ATEM’s Webcam Out port. Connect the opposite end into your PC that is running Captivate and ATEM Software Control.
To confirm this connection from ATEM Software Control, open the application. The switcher interface will automatically display if your ATEM device has been successfully recognized.

Click to File in the top left corner of the window and select Connection to open the ATEM Setup window. This Window allows you to preview your connection or manually configure it if the device is not automatically recognized. Click on ATEM Setup to preview the type of connection.

Close ATEM Software Control and Launch Captivate.
Click on Settings Menu > Blackmagic Design ATEM to access the ATEM Settings.
Note: ATEMS require that ATEM Control Software is installed on your machine. The Control Software installs a component that Captivate must use to interact with ATEMs. If you receive a warning and support link that drivers are missing, please download the latest drivers here.
From this menu choose your Connection Method. Auto connect is recommended for most use cases. However, you have the ability the Manually enter the IP address, choose USB only, or Disable.
Note: If you have multiple ATEM devices or experience difficulties resolving connections, entering a Manual IP address is recommended.
Click on Connect
Click OK to confirm the settings.

Connecting to Local Network with Ethernet

A different method to have Captivate communicate with the ATEM Software Control’s API, the ATEM can be connected to a local network via ethernet cable.

There are two ways to accomplish this:

Connecting to Local Network via Broadband Router

Connect one end of the ethernet cable into the ATEM’s ATEM Control port. Connect the opposite end to the Ethernet Port of your Broadband Router.
Open your ATEM Software Control Application to confirm this connection.
To confirm this connection from ATEM Software Control, open the application. The switcher interface will automatically display if your ATEM device has been successfully recognized.

Connecting to Local Network via PC

Connect one end of the ethernet cable into the ATEM’s ATEM Control port. Connect the opposite end to the Ethernet Port of the Personal Computer that is running Captivate.
Open your ATEM Software Control Application to confirm this connection.
To confirm this connection from ATEM Software Control, open the application. The switcher interface will automatically display if your ATEM device has been successfully recognized.

Important! If the ATEM Software Control fails to recognize the connection, some extra setup may be required. Follow these steps to manually set it up:

Click on your network icon from your Taskbar
Select Network & Internet Settings
Click on Ethernet
Under Related Settings, Click on Change Adaptor Settings.
Right click over Ethernet and select Properties.
Navigate to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), Select this option and click Properties.
Select Use this IP address and manually enter: “198.168.10.240”. Navigating to the next line will automatically populate Subnet Mask
Click OK
Open ATEM software control to confirm if the connection has been recognized