Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express 3G · Recorder / Monitor · USB4 · 3G-SDI & HDMI

Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express 3G — 3G-SDI & HDMI Capture/Playback Interface over a Single USB4 Cable

The UltraStudio Express 3G is a portable video capture and playback box from Blackmagic Design. It connects to a computer with a single USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 cable that carries both the video signal and power. It supports 3G-SDI and HDMI at 10-bit quality up to 1080p60, and comes in 2 models to suit the job: Recorder 3G for capturing video into the computer, and Monitor 3G for sending video out to a monitor. It works with Mac, Windows and Linux.

Key Features

• 2 models by use — Recorder 3G for capture (Capture, input only) / Monitor 3G for playback (Playback, output only)
• Single USB4 connection — carries both video and power from the computer, with no separate adapter needed, convenient for laptops on location
• Built-in 3G-SDI + HDMI — supports all SD/HD standards up to 1080p60, with Level A/B switching for 3G-SDI
• 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 / RGB quality — both Uncompressed and Compressed (ProRes, DNxHD), with accurate color for color grading and VFX work
• Supports Mac / Windows / Linux — via a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 port
• Works with popular software — DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Media Composer, Premiere Pro, OBS
• Uses the DeckLink API + includes Media Express — compatible with almost all video software
• Free Developer SDK — for Mac/Windows/Linux, to build your own custom solutions

Best For

• Live streaming from an SDI/HDMI camera into OBS (Recorder 3G)
• Capturing video from a camera, switcher or tape deck into a computer (Recorder 3G)
• Sending video from DaVinci Resolve out to a monitor for color grading with a Clean Feed (Monitor 3G)
• Editing on location with a laptop, with no power adapter to carry
• Developers who want to build specialized video systems with the SDK

Specifications

Options

• Recorder 3G (Capture) — brings SDI/HDMI signals into the computer
• Monitor 3G (Playback) — sends signals from the computer out over SDI/HDMI

In the Box

• UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G or Monitor 3G (according to the model chosen)
• USB4 Cable

FAQ

• Q: Can one model do both capture and playback?
  A: No. Recorder 3G only takes video in, and Monitor 3G only sends video out. If you need both functions, you need both models.
• Q: Can it be used with an ordinary USB-C port?
  A: It must be a 40 Gb/s USB-C port, either USB4 or Thunderbolt 4. Ordinary USB 3.x ports are not supported.
• Q: Can it be used for live streaming with OBS?
  A: Yes. The Recorder 3G model can be used as a video source in OBS and in streaming software that supports DeckLink.

10-bit SDI and HDMI in and out of your computer over a single USB4 cable