Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Monitor 3G

The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Monitor 3G is a compact playback interface that allows you to display video from professional video software on SDI and HDMI monitors. Thanks to the fast USB4 connection, the interface is suitable for modern Mac, Windows, and Linux systems with USB4 or Thunderbolt 4. The UltraStudio Express Monitor 3G supports professional 10-bit video quality and is compatible with virtually all common video editing, color grading, and broadcast applications.

• Compact USB4 playback interface for SDI and HDMI

• 1x 3G-SDI output and 1x HDMI 2.0 output

• Supports SD, HD, and 2K video formats up to 1080p60 and 2K60

• 10-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 video processing

• Support for HDR, HLG, and PQ

• Up to 16 embedded audio channels via SDI

• Up to 8 embedded audio channels via HDMI

• Works with DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, and many other applications

• Powered via USB4, no external power supply needed

• Includes Media Express, Desktop Video Utility, LiveKey and Developer SDK

Operation

The UltraStudio Express Monitor 3G connects to a computer via a single USB4 cable. The interface receives the video signal directly from supported software and outputs it via the integrated 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs.

Because the interface uses the Blackmagic Desktop Video drivers and the DeckLink API, it is immediately recognized as a video output by much professional software. This allows you to view an accurate video display on professional monitors or broadcast equipment during editing, color grading, or playback.

The interface supports both uncompressed and popular compressed codecs, including Apple ProRes, DNxHD, DNxHR, and AVC-Intra.

Application

The UltraStudio Express Monitor 3G is suitable for, among other things:

• Video editing

• Color grading in DaVinci Resolve

• Broadcast monitoring

• Motion graphics

• Visual effects workflows

• Presentations with professional video display

• On-location post-production

• Mobile editing setups

Due to its compact size and power supply via USB4, the interface is easy to carry and ideal for use with laptops.

Key features

Professional video outputs

The interface features both a 3G-SDI and an HDMI 2.0 output. This allows simultaneous use with professional broadcast monitors and HDMI displays.

High image quality

Supports 10-bit video in both 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 color processing for accurate color reproduction during editing, color correction, and mastering.

Broad software compatibility

Works with virtually all professional video software, including:

• DaVinci Resolve

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• Adobe After Effects

• Final Cut Pro

• Avid Media Composer

• Avid Pro Tools

• Fusion

• Steinberg Cubase

• Steinberg Nuendo

• OBS Studio

• Wirecast

• vMix

• ProPresenter

• Resolume Arena

• TouchDesigner

• and many other applications that support Blackmagic Desktop Video.

Compact and portable

Thanks to its compact size and USB4 power supply, the UltraStudio Express Monitor 3G is ideal for mobile workflows without an external power supply.

Professional codec support

Supports, among others:

• Apple ProRes

• DNxHD

• DNxHR

• AVC-Intra

• HEVC

• XDCAM

• HDV

• DPX

• Uncompressed 8-, 10-, and 12-bit video

Limits

• Suitable for video output (playback) only; video recording is not supported.

• Requires a computer with USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s).

• Supports up to SD, HD, and 2K video; UHD and 4K workflows are not supported.

• No analog video or audio connections.

• No hardware video processing or scaling.

• No standalone operation; the interface functions exclusively in combination with supported software.