Blackmagic design UltraStudio Express HD

Information

Get portable capture and playback with 3G-SDI, HDMI and analog connections for broadcast quality 10-bit video up to 1080p60. It works with Mac, Windows and Linux computers with USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 connections. You can capture and play back all formats up to 1080p60 in full 10-bit YUV or up to 1080p30 and 2K DCI in 12-bit RGB. HDMI output for monitoring to a big screen television or projector, dual SDI outputs for fill and key playback, plus analog audio and video inputs.

Connections

SDI Video Inputs

1 x 3Gb/s SD/HD switchable.

SDI Video Outputs

2 x 3Gb/s SD/HD switchable, supports fill and key.

SDI Rates

270Mb, 1.5G, 3G

Optical SDI

None

HDMI Video Inputs

None

HDMI Video Outputs

1 x HDMI 1.4b type A connector.

Analog Video Inputs

Y, B-Y, R-Y/NTSC/PAL.

Analog Video Outputs

None

Analog Audio Inputs

2 x 1/4 inch jack connectors for balanced and unbalanced analog audio.

Analog Audio Outputs

None. Embedded audio only.

SDI Audio Inputs

16 Channels embedded in SD and HD.

SDI Audio Outputs

16 Channels embedded in SD and HD.

HDMI Audio Outputs

2 Channels embedded in SD and HD.

Timecode Connection

None. RP-188 only.

Reference Input

Tri-Sync or Black Burst.

Computer Interface

USB Type-C® supporting USB 40Gbps.

Supported Codecs

AVC-Intra, AVCHD, Canon XF MPEG2, Digital SLR, DV-NTSC, DV-PAL, DVCPRO50, DVCPROHD, DPX, HDV, XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, XDCAM HD422, DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes 4444, Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes LT, Apple ProRes 422 Proxy, Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2, Uncompressed 10‑bit 4:2:2.

Software

Software Included

Media Express, Disk Speed Test, LiveKey, Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility and Blackmagic driver on Mac and Windows. Media Express, Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility and Blackmagic driver on Linux.

Internal Software Upgrade

Firmware built into software driver. Software driver loads upgrades at system start or via updater software.

Software Applications

DaVinci Resolve

Fusion

Final Cut Pro

Adobe Premiere

Adobe After Effects

Adobe Photoshop

Avid Media Composer

Avid Pro Tools

Steinberg Cubase

Steinberg Nuendo

Other supported applications include:

The Foundry Nuke, Grass Valley Edius, Sony Catalyst Production Suite, Tools On Air Just: Play & Live & In, Softron MovieRecorder & MReplay, Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder, Telestream Wirecast, Resolume Arena, Magix Vegas Pro & Movie Edit Pro Premium, Corel VideoStudio Pro, CyberLink PowerDirector, Vidblaster X & Studio & Broadcast, Uniplay One & CG, CasparCG Server, Magicsoft CG, Xsplit Broadcaster, Imagine Communications Velocity & InfoCaster, DevTek Easy Media Suite, Metus Ingest, Boinx Software MimoLive, Cinegy Capture Pro, vMix Live, Renewed Vision ProPresenter, Ventuz Director, Class X Liveboard & Coral CG, Glookast Capturer, Open Broadcaster Software Studio, Nautilus NEMO3D, Burst Video Webclip2Go & [REC]Marker, Autodesk Flame, Zoom.

These are third party applications and support may vary, check with your software vendor.

SDI Video Standards

SD Video Standards

525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL

HD Video Standards

720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
1080PsF23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080PsF25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080PsF30
1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60

2K Video Standards

2KPsF23.98 DCI, 2KPsF24 DCI, 2KPsF25 DCI
2Kp23.98 DCI, 2Kp24 DCI, 2Kp25 DCI

Ultra HD Video Standards

None

4K Video Standards

None

SDI Compliance

SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 424M and SMPTE 425M level A and level B.

SDI Metadata Support

RP 188/SMPTE 12M-2 and closed captioning.

SDI Audio Sampling

Television rate of 48kHz and 24 bit.

SDI Video Sampling

4:2:2 and 4:4:4

SDI Color Space

REC 601, REC 709.

Multiple Rate Support

SDI video connections are switchable between standard definition and high definition. SDI switches between 270Mb/s, 1.5Gb/s and 3Gb/s.

HDMI Video Standards

SD Video Standards

525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL

HD Video Standards

720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60

HDMI Audio

Television rate of 48kHz and 24 bit.

HDMI Video

4:2:2 and 4:4:4

HDMI Color Space

Rec. 601, Rec. 709

Multiple Rate Support

HDMI video connection is switchable between SD and HD.

Hardware Frame Buffer

v210 (10 bit YUV), 2vuy (8 bit YUV), ARGB, BGRA (8 bit RGB), r210 (10 bit RGB), R12B,R12L (12 bit RGB).

Color Precision

HDMI

8-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards.

SDI

8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards.

Computer Capture

1 x USB Type‑C® supporting USB 40Gbps on Mac and Windows. Powers from host computer USB‑C port. Includes Blackmagic Desktop Video SDK.

Control

Built in Control Panel

None. Supports Teranex Mini Smart Panel with 2.2 inch color display for video preview, audio meters and status.

Device Control

1 x RS-422 deck control.

Processing

Colorspace Conversion

Hardware based real time.

HD Down Conversion

Real time 10-bit hardware down conversion on SDI B output when working in HD video formats on playback. Selectable between letterbox, anamorphic 16:9 and center cut 4:3 styles.

Real Time Effects

Final Cut Pro X internal effects. Adobe Premiere Mercury Playback Engine effects. Avid Media Composer internal effects. DaVinci Resolve.

Physical Installation

Physical Installation

Desktop or rack mount.
One third rack unit width, 1 rack unit height. Compatible with optional Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf.

Computer Interface

Host computer requires a USB Type-C® port with 40Gbps signalling rate.

Operating Systems

Mac 26.0 Tahoe,
Mac 27.0 Golden Gate or later.

Windows 10, 64-bit.
Windows 11.

Linux

Power Requirements

Powered over USB. Requires computer with a USB Type‑C® 40Gb/s port.

Accessories

Teranex Mini Smart Panel

Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf

Physical Specifications

Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature

5° to 40° C (32° to 104° F)

Storage Temperature

-20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F)

Relative Humidity

0% to 90% non-condensing

What's Included

UltraStudio Express HD

Welcome wallet with QR code for software download

Warranty

1 Year Limited Manufacturer’s Warranty.