Blackmagic Design - UltraStudio Express HD

UltraStudio Express HD is a compact video capture and playback solution designed for Mac, Windows, and Linux computers with USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4 connections. Featuring SDI, HDMI, and analog connections, it's a versatile tool for a variety of editing, video monitoring, and more.

The device supports capture and playback up to 1080p 60 via 3G-SDI and features analog video and audio inputs, an HDMI output for monitoring, and dual SDI outputs for fill and key applications. The USB 4 connection provides power, capture, and video playback all over a single cable, making it ideal for use with battery-powered laptops during mobile productions.

UltraStudio Express HD uses the same software technology as the DeckLink range and is compatible with a wide range of professional platforms, including DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Media Composer, Fusion, and streaming software like OBS. Support for formats such as Apple ProRes, DNxHD, and uncompressed 10-bit video makes it ideal for professional editing, color grading, archiving, and broadcast production workflows.

User benefits

• Single USB4 cable connection for power, capture, and playback
• Integrates with existing digital and analog equipment
• Compatible with leading editing, streaming, and post-production software
• Video capture and playback up to 1080p 60
• Supports 10-bit workflows and uncompressed formats
• Ideal for archiving content from legacy broadcast decks
• USB4 power allows for mobile use

Areas of use

• Video capture for editing and post-production
• Digitizing professional video archives
• Color grading with DaVinci Resolve
• Live streaming and online production
• Broadcast video monitoring
• Mobile installations with notebooks and compact workstations

• SDI video inputs: 1 × 3 Gb/s SD/HD switchable
• SDI video outputs: 2 × 3 Gb/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 × HDMI 1.4b type A connector
• Analog video inputs: Y, B-Y, R-Y/NTSC/PAL
• Analog video outputs: none
• Analog audio inputs: 2 × 1/4" 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 40 Gbps

• 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 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

• 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 × & 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 × 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

• SD video standards: 525i 59.94 NTSC, 625i 50 PAL
• HD video standards: 720p 50, 720p 59.94, 720p 60, 1080i 50, 1080i 59.94, 1080i 60, 1080PsF 23.98, 1080PsF 24, 1080PsF 25, 1080PsF 29.97, 1080PsF 30, 1080p 23.98, 1080p 24, 1080p 25, 1080p 29.97, 1080p 30, 1080p 50, 1080p 59.94, 1080p 60
• 2K video standards: 2KPsF 23.98 DCI, 2KPsF 24 DCI, 2KPsF 25 DCI, 2Kp 23.98 DCI, 2Kp 24 DCI, 2Kp 25 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 48 kHz 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 270 Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s and 3 Gb/s

• SD video standards: 525i 59.94 NTSC, 625i 50 PAL
• HD video standards: 720p 50, 720p 59.94, 720p 60, 1080i 50, 1080i 59.94, 1080i 60, 1080p 23.98, 1080p 24, 1080p 25, 1080p 29.97, 1080p 30, 1080p 50, 1080p 59.94, 1080p 60
• HDMI audio: television rate of 48 kHz 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

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

• HDMI: 8-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p 30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards
• SDI: 8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p 30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards

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

• 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 × RS-422 deck control

• 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 × internal effects. Adobe Premiere Mercury Playback Engine effects. Avid Media Composer internal effects. DaVinci Resolve

• 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 40 Gbps signalling rate.

• Mac 26.0 Tahoe, Mac 27.0 Golden Gate or later
• Windows 10, 64-bit, Windows 11
• Linux

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

• Teranex Mini Smart Panel
• Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf

• Operating temperature: 5° to 40° C
• Storage temperature: -20° to 45° C
• Relative humidity: 0% to 90% non-condensing

• Dimensions: 14 × 17 × 4.4 cm
• Weight: 610 g

• UltraStudio Express HD
• Welcome wallet with QR code for software download