The Blackmagic Design Spares - ATEM 2 M/E Panel - PCB (Left Side) is the dedicated interface board responsible for the left-hand bank of buttons on the legacy 2 M/E Broadcast Panel or Advanced Panel.
In a 2 M/E (Mix Effects) workflow, the panel is physically and electronically divided. The Left Side PCB primarily handles the M/E 1 bus row, including the cross-point buttons (inputs), shift buttons, and the associated tally logic for that specific bank.
Core Responsibilities
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M/E 1 Input Switching: Processes the tactile presses for the first row of program and preview buttons.
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Tally LED Management: Controls the dual-color (Red/Green) illumination for the left-side button bank to indicate which source is on-air.
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Shift Logic: Manages the "Shift" key functionality that allows the left bank to access inputs 11–20 (on a 20-button row).
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Signal Relay: Sends button-press data to the Master Main PCB located in the center of the panel via a dedicated internal data bus.
When to Replace the Left Side PCB
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Dead Button Bank: The right side and center of the panel work perfectly, but the entire left-hand row of buttons is dark and unresponsive.
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localized Liquid Damage: Spilled liquid on the left side of the panel has caused short-circuits or "ghost" button presses (where the panel switches inputs by itself).
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Tally Failure: The buttons switch the video correctly in the software, but the physical buttons on the left side no longer light up red or green.
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Intermittent Connectivity: The left bank flickers or stops working until the panel is physically tapped or moved, indicating a stress fracture in the PCB or a failing connector.
Technical Installation Note
Repair Level: 3 (Moderate). 1. Chassis Access: You must flip the 2 M/E panel over and remove the bottom plate screws. Note that these panels are quite heavy; use a soft surface to avoid scratching the buttons or the T-bar.
2. Ribbon Cable Care: The Left Side PCB is connected to the Main PCB by a high-density ribbon cable. Before removing the board, ensure the locking clips on the connector are fully released.
3. Button Alignment: When installing the new PCB, you must ensure all 20+ button plungers are perfectly aligned with the holes in the top faceplate before tightening the mounting screws. If the board is slightly offset, the buttons will feel "mushy" or get stuck.
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Static Safety: Like all Blackmagic spares, the ICs on this board are sensitive to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Wear a grounding strap during the swap.
Diagnostic: Left PCB vs. Main PCB
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It is the Left Side PCB if: Only the M/E 1 buttons are failing, but the menu screens and the M/E 2 (right/center) buttons are functioning normally.
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It is the Main PCB if: The entire panel fails to connect to the network or if the failure spans across both M/E banks simultaneously.
Pro-Tip: The "Shift" Test
If your inputs 1–10 work but 11–20 do not, first check the Shift button on the panel. If the Shift button itself is physically broken, it may prevent the entire row from accessing the second bank of inputs. Replacing the Left Side PCB will resolve this, as the Shift button is usually integrated into this board.
Are you seeing a total blackout of the left-side LEDs, or are specific buttons simply failing to register when pressed?
