Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express HD – USB4 and Thunderbolt interface, 3G-SDI, HDMI and analog
GTIN: 9338716010909
UltraStudio Express HD: external USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 interface for 10-bit capture and playback up to 1080p60, with 3G-SDI, HDMI output, component video and analog audio inputs, RS-422 deck control.
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express HD – USB4 and Thunderbolt interface, 3G-SDI, HDMI and analog
UltraStudio Express HD is an external interface for broadcast quality HD capture and playback. It connects with a single USB-C cable to a computer with a USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 port, which also powers it, and works in 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all formats up to 1080p60, or in 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30 and 2K DCI.
What UltraStudio Express HD is for
It is designed for two jobs in particular. The first is archiving: with the SDI input, the component video input and RS-422 deck control you can capture tapes from older broadcast decks, controlling them directly from the software. The second is HD editing and grading, for example with DaVinci Resolve: the two SDI outputs allow fill and key playback to a switcher, and the HDMI output sends the picture to a television or projector for monitoring.
Connections
1 x 3G-SDI input and 2 x 3G-SDI outputs, switchable SD/HD, with 16 embedded audio channels; 1 x HDMI 1.4b output with 2 audio channels; component analog video input (Y, B-Y, R-Y), NTSC or PAL; 2 x analog audio inputs on 1/4 inch jacks, balanced or unbalanced; Tri-Sync or Black Burst reference input; RS-422 deck control port; 40 Gb/s USB-C port.
Connection and compatibility
It works on Mac, Windows and Linux with the Desktop Video driver, which includes Media Express, Disk Speed Test, LiveKey and the setup utility, and is compatible with DaVinci Resolve and the main editing software. The Desktop Video SDK is free. It sits on the desk or mounts in a rack on the Blackmagic Universal Rack Shelf, and can be controlled with the Teranex Mini Smart Panel, which adds a display for preview, audio meters and status.
System requirements
You need a computer with a 40 Gb/s USB-C port, that is USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 (Thunderbolt 5 and the ports of Apple Silicon Macs work too). A slower USB-C port is not enough. The interface is powered by the computer, with no external power supply.
Express HD, Express Recorder 3G or 4K Mini?
UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G and Express Monitor 3G are smaller and do one job, capture or playback. Express HD does both and adds analog inputs and deck control, useful for archiving. For Ultra HD and 4K work you need UltraStudio 4K Mini instead.
Technical specifications
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
| 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 |
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. |
| Product Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Blackmagic Design |
| manufacturer code | BDLKULSDEXPHD |
| Ean | 9338716010909 |
| Taric Code | 85437090 |