UltraStudio Express 3G recorder

Video and Audio Capture
Records video and audio directly to your computer for simple production and archiving workflows.

Automatic Input Detection
Automatically recognizes the incoming video format and configures the project to match.

Flexible Capture Formats
Lets you choose from a range of capture formats to suit different recording and post-production workflows.

Blackmagic Media Express
Includes an easy-to-use application for capturing and managing video without requiring complex editing software.

Simple Clip Management
Makes it easy to organize, browse, and work with captured media from one straightforward interface.

Third-Party Software Support
Works with popular editing and creative applications, allowing captured video to fit easily into existing workflows.

Desktop Video Setup
Provides centralized software controls for configuring video, audio, and other device settings.

Direct Source Capture
Captures footage from cameras, recorders, tape players, and other video sources without requiring external device control.

Professional Recording Workflow
Designed to bring video signals directly into a computer for recording, editing, streaming, or other software-based workflows.

General Specifications
Device Type: Video capture and playback hardware
Computer Connection Types: Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, PCIe
Minimum System Memory: 8 GB RAM

System Compatibility
Mac OS: Latest supported versions
Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
Linux x86: Linux 3.10 or higher, 64-bit
Linux AArch64: Linux 4.9.140 or higher

Video Input
Input Types: SDI, HDMI, component analog video, composite analog video
SDI Color Space: 4:4:4 RGB or YCbCr 4:2:2
3G-SDI Mapping: SMPTE Level A or Level B
SDI Configuration: Single link, dual link, quad link
8K SDI Output Formats: Square Division Quad Split, Sample Interleave
Analog Component Levels: SMPTE, Betacam
NTSC Setup Levels: 7.5 IRE, 0 IRE

Video Processing
Input Conversion: Real-time up conversion and down conversion
Output Conversion: Real-time up conversion and down conversion
Conversion Delay: Up to 2 frames
Aspect Ratio Conversion: Letterbox, anamorphic, center cut, pillarbox, 16:9 zoom, 14:9 zoom
Color Gamut Conversion: Rec. 601/Rec. 709 to Rec. 2020
HDR Support: HLG, PQ, Rec. 2020
Hardware Colorspace Conversion: Real-time

HDMI
HDMI Embedded Audio: Supported
HDMI 3D Formats: Top and Bottom, Frame Packing, Side by Side, Left Eye, Line by Line, Right Eye
HDMI Surround Audio: 5.1 channel remapping supported

Audio
Embedded Audio: SDI and HDMI
Digital Audio: AES/EBU
Professional Analog Audio: XLR
Consumer Analog Audio: RCA/HiFi
Microphone Input: Supported on applicable hardware
Phantom Power: +48 V on applicable hardware
AES/EBU Channels per Connector: 2
Audio Sample Rate: 48 kHz
Analog Audio Gain Adjustment: Independent or linked channels
Audio Meter Types: VU, PPM
Audio Meter Reference Levels: -18 dBFS, -20 dBFS

Timecode and Control
Timecode Sources: SDI embedded timecode, dedicated XLR timecode on applicable hardware
Deck Control: RS-422
Reference Timing Adjustment: Sample-level adjustment

Capture Formats
DPX: 10-bit RGB image sequence
Uncompressed Video: 8-bit and 10-bit formats
QuickTime Mac Formats: Blackmagic RGB 10-bit, Apple Uncompressed YUV 10-bit 4:2:2, Apple Uncompressed YUV 8-bit 4:2:2, Photo-JPEG, DV-NTSC, DV-PAL
AVI Windows Formats: Blackmagic 10-bit 4:4:4, Blackmagic 10-bit 4:2:2, Blackmagic HD 8-bit 4:2:2, Blackmagic SD 8-bit 4:2:2, Blackmagic 8-bit MJPEG
QuickTime Windows Formats: Blackmagic RGB 10-bit, Blackmagic 10-bit, Blackmagic 8-bit, Photo-JPEG, DV-NTSC, DV-PAL
Additional Supported Workflows: ProRes, DNxHD, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO50
3D Capture: Dual-stream stereoscopic capture on supported hardware

Software
Configuration Utility: Blackmagic Desktop Video Setup
Capture and Playback Application: Blackmagic Media Express
Disk Performance Utility: Blackmagic Disk Speed Test
DaVinci Resolve Integration: Capture, playback, live grading
Adobe Integration: Premiere Pro CC, After Effects CC, Photoshop CC, Character Animator CC
Final Cut Pro Integration: Supported
Avid Media Composer Integration: Supported

Recording and Playback
Automatic Input Format Detection: Supported
Video and Audio Capture: Supported
Batch Capture: Supported
DPX Sequence Capture: Supported
Tape Output: Supported
Simultaneous Capture and Playback: Supported on compatible 4K and 8K hardware
Dropped Frame Detection: Supported
Background Playback: Supported