Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G

The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G is a compact professional capture interface that allows you to record SD, HD, and 2K video signals via USB4. Thanks to the 3G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 inputs, the recorder is suitable for a wide range of cameras, video mixers, and other professional video sources. The interface supports uncompressed 10-bit video and is compatible with virtually all well-known editing, streaming, and broadcast applications.

• Compact USB4 capture interface for SDI and HDMI

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

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

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

• HDR support (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, OBS Studio, vMix, 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 Recorder 3G is connected to a computer with a single USB4 cable. Video images are transmitted directly via the SDI or HDMI input to supported software for recording, livestreaming, or video editing.

By using the Blackmagic Desktop Video drivers and the DeckLink API, the recorder is immediately recognized as a capture device by much professional software. This allows it to be used for live productions, streaming, post-production, and archiving.

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

Application

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

• Livestreaming

• Video recording

• Video editing

• Broadcast capture

• Podcast and studio productions

• Conferences and presentations

• Digitizing professional video sources

• Mobile capture setups

Thanks to its compact size and USB4 power supply, the recorder is easy to take along for on-location productions.

Key features

Professional video inputs

The recorder features both a 3G-SDI and an HDMI 2.0 input, allowing both professional broadcast equipment and HDMI cameras to be connected.

High recording quality

Supports 10-bit video in both 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 color processing for high-quality recording and accurate color reproduction during post-production.

Broad software compatibility

Works with virtually all professional video and streaming software, including:

• DaVinci Resolve

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• Adobe After Effects

• Final Cut Pro

• Avid Media Composer

• OBS Studio

• vMix

• Wirecast

• ProPresenter

• Resolume Arena

• TouchDesigner

• and many other applications that support Blackmagic Desktop Video.

Compact and portable

Thanks to power via USB4, no external adapter is required. This makes the recorder ideal for mobile productions and use with modern laptops.

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 capture only; video output to external monitors 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 recording are not supported.

• No analog video or audio connections.

• No hardware video conversion or scaling.

• No standalone recording function; the interface works exclusively in combination with supported software.