Blackmagic Design Spares - ATEM Panel - Input LCD Double

The Blackmagic Design Spares - ATEM Panel - Input LCD Double is a specialized replacement display module found in the larger ATEM 2 M/E and 4 M/E Advanced Panels.

Unlike the "Single" version, the Double module is a wider display unit designed to span across two source buttons or to provide extended labeling in specific sections of the panel (such as the transition or system control rows). These screens are essential for displaying long-form source names, macro descriptions, or secondary button functions that require more visual real estate than a standard 4-character label.

Core Responsibilities

• Extended Labeling: Provides room for longer text strings (up to 8–12 characters), allowing for clearer identification of complex sources like "REPLAY 1 SLOW" or "GFX-ALPHA."

• Macro Identification: Often used to display the names of recorded Macros, making it easier for the operator to trigger complex sequences during a live show.

• Multi-Status Feedback: Can display two pieces of information simultaneously (e.g., the source name on the left and a parameter value like "Gain" or "Audio Level" on the right).

• High-Contrast Tally: Just like the single units, these modules feature a full-color background that shifts to Red (Program), Green (Preview), or Amber (Next Trans).

When to Replace an Input LCD Double

• Partial Blackout: Because the display is wider, one half of the screen may fail while the other remains lit, or the entire module may go dark.

• "Ghosting" or Artifacts: Vertical or horizontal "shadows" appear behind the text, often a sign that the internal driver chip is overheating or failing.

• Intermittent Flickering: The screen stays on but "pulses" in brightness, which can be distracting for the TD (Technical Director) during a broadcast.

• Liquid Ingress: Because these screens are wider, they have a larger surface area for liquids to seep into the bezel, which often leads to "rainbow" patterns on the LCD glass.

Technical Installation Note

Repair Level: 4 (Advanced).

1. Chassis Disassembly: Replacing a Double LCD requires deep access to the M/E bank. You must remove the panel's rear cover and potentially the main distribution PCB for that row.

2. Wide FFC Ribbon: The "Double" module uses a wider Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) than the single units. These cables are extremely sensitive to kinks. If the cable is folded at a sharp 90-degree angle, the internal copper traces may snap.

3. ZIF Connector Safety: Ensure the ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket on the board is fully open before inserting the ribbon. If there is any resistance, stop—forcing the cable will peel the delicate silver contacts off the ribbon.

4. Heat Sink Contact: Some double LCD modules feature a small thermal pad on the back to dissipate heat into the panel's metal frame. Ensure this is transferred to the new unit.

Diagnostic: Double vs. Single Failures

• Isolated Failure: If only one "Double" screen is dead but the "Singles" next to it are fine, the module itself is the culprit.

• Row Failure: If every LCD in a specific 5-button or 10-button "bank" is dead, the problem is likely the Sectional Power/Data Board or the Main Interconnect Ribbon Cable, not the individual LCD modules.

Pro-Tip: The "Pixel Refresh"

If you see faint "ghosting" of a previous label (e.g., you changed the source name but can still see the old name faintly), it isn't always hardware failure. This is "Image Retention." Try turning the panel off for 24 hours, or use the Panel Settings to cycle through different background colors (Red/Green/Blue) for a few minutes to "exercise" the pixels and clear the ghosting.

Is your "Double" display completely unresponsive, or is it showing distorted colors compared to the screens around it?