1. Media Express, Disk Speed Test, LiveKey, Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility and Blackmagic driver on Mac OS 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.
2. Blackmagic Media Express software comes free with every UltraStudio model. Media Express lets you batch capture and playback 2D or even dual stream stereoscopic 3D in uncompressed YUV 4:2:2 and RGB 4:4:4 QuickTime, AVI and DPX, or compressed ProRes, DVCPRO and MJPEG files.
3. Blackmagic Design UltraStudio 4K Thunderbolt 2 - Software CD featuring: - Media Express - Disk Speed Test - LiveKey - Blackmagic System Preferences - Blackmagic Driver on Mac OS X - 3-Year Limited Warranty. Blackmagic Design 4K Thunderbolt 2 Capture & Playback.

1. Blackmagic Ultrastudio Express Driver Download For Mac
2. Ultrastudio Express Drivers
3. Blackmagic Ultrastudio Express Driver For Mac Windows 10

Postproduction technology is changing with the shift to file-based workflows, Thunderbolt data paths and adoption of 4K. To address the varied needs of clients ranging from one-man-band shops to large facilities, Blackmagic Design has developed the UltraStudio Thunderbolt product family. The line includes the low-cost Mini Recorder and Mini Monitor modules at one end and UltraStudio 4K Extreme at the other. I tested the UltraStudio 4K and UltraStudio Express, which sit in the middle of the product line.

This Blackmagic device is not a camera, but a device for capturing HDMI (or SDI) into a form your computer can use. It is useful for providing a video assist from another camera, but will not trigger high-resolution on it. Product Info. You can find the Blackmagic UltraStudio Express manual and specifications at the Blackmagic website.

UltraStudio 4K

UltraStudio 4K is a rack-mount unit that’s designed for facility or mobile truck installation. It is 1-RU tall, connects to a Mac or PC via a single Thunderbolt cable, and is compatible with Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt 2 protocols. All connections are on the back plane and the fan vents through the sides for tight rack spacing. The sleek front surface features a small confidence LCD display and six illuminated audio/video input selector buttons.

The UltraStudio 4K front panel features a small LCD confidence
display and illuminated input selection buttons.

As a 4K unit, it supports numerous 4K UHD, 4K DCI, 2K, 1080p, 720p, NTSC and PAL formats and frame rates. The back panel connections cover pretty much everything, including SDI, HDMI, composite and component analog video, and AES digital audio, as well as XLRs for timecode and two channels of analog audio. If you need more than two channels of audio, then that is designed to be passed as embedded SDI or over AES. There’s a Thunderbolt loop-through as well as two SDI loops for the two SDI input connections. Finally, UltraStudio 4K supports connection to a VTR, so it includes a standard 9-pin remote connector.

UltraStudio 4K includes connectivity for many analog
and digital ports.

Like other Blackmagic rack units, UltraStudio 4K does not come with a power cord. This is an international, multi-standard system that can be installed into 120-240V/50-60Hz electrical systems. Since power plug configurations vary around the world, Blackmagic has opted to have you provide your own. In the United States, any standard three-prong power cord—like the one on the back of most monitors—should fit. Thunderbolt cables are also not included.

UltraStudio 4K Extreme includes hardware-based ProRes
and H.265 encoding and 12G-SDI bandwidth, which
supports up to 4K 60p over a single BNC cable.

UltraStudio 4K is built around a chipset that supports SDI, 3G-SDI and 6G-SDI bandwidths—essential for high frame rate 1080p, stereo 3D, 4:4:4 and 4K workflows—yet these units are still compatible with SD and HD infrastructures. 6G-SDI (6 Gb/s) is fast enough for Ultra HD video at up to 30 fps to be passed over a single BNC cable. In standard HD operation, the two SDI outputs can be configured for a full HD signal and a second downconverted one. This unit doesn’t up- or downconvert between 4K and HD or SD, but if you are working in DCI versus UHD sizes, UltraStudio will up- or downconvert to the nearest 4K size—up to 4096 or down to 3840 pixels wide.

In the UltraStudio product line, the big brother is UltraStudio 4K Extreme, a larger, more powerful unit with 12G-SDI bandwidth. That’s enough for 4K 60p video over a single BNC cable. It features even more connections, a larger LCD display, dual power supplies and built-in hardware encoding for H.265 and Apple ProRes (on Mac OS X). 4K Extreme not only connects via Thunderbolt, it can also connect to a PCIe host using a small PCIe adapter card. This is the same unit that Avid will be selling as Avid DNxIO. That version will embed hardware encoding of the Avid DNxHR codec and will be sold and supported through Avid and its reseller channels.

UltraStudio Express

UltraStudio Express is the ideal companion for laptop
editing operations.

If you need something portable, UltraStudio Express fits the bill. It’s an SD/HD unit connected and powered by a single Thunderbolt line. The small aluminum housing includes SDI and HDMI I/O connectors, and a multi-pin port for everything else. The unit ships with two breakout cables for a variety of analog audio and video connections. One breakout cable features professional BNC and XLR connectors, while the other uses RCA plugs. The “pro” cable also includes a 9-pin VTR remote. UltraStudio Express is fanless and small, so it’s a perfect laptop companion. If you need only SDI or HDMI connectivity, then there’s no need to connect either of the breakout cables.

Like the larger 4K systems, UltraStudio Express supports a wide range of SD and HD standards and offers some conversion capabilities. On input, it can convert HD to SD or SD to HD; on output, from HD to SD or 720 to 1080. UltraStudio 4K adds SD to 720 or 1080 conversion on output. While there is a good range of conversion options on both systems, they don’t cover every combination of frame rates, pull-downs, etc.

Blackmagic Ultrastudio Express Driver Download For Mac

Both units are driven by Blackmagic Design’s Desktop Video software. The installer includes drivers, the Desktop Video Utility, Media Express and Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. On a Mac, you access the Desktop Video Utility through System Preferences to set up the unit. Media Express is a software application for video capture, playback, mastering and management. This is important for Final Cut Pro X users, since that NLE is designed only as a file-based editor and does not have its own tape capture or output modules.

Diving In

Since these are Thunderbolt devices, I tested both the UltraStudio 4K and Express units on my Retina MacBook Pro. I connected the output to a Panasonic 1080p monitor via SDI and later to my home Samsung display using HDMI. Thunderbolt is hot-swappable, so it was easy to go back and forth between units. The Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility quickly recognized each unit for fast reconfiguration of settings if needed.

The software installer includes Media Express for video capture
and print-to-tape functions that are independent of
any editing application.

Both units work with a wide range of Apple, Adobe, Avid and Blackmagic Design software—regardless of whether you are using Blackmagic Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Apple FCP X or Avid Media Composer, the system has you covered. Check the specs on the web site, but a ton of other applications—including Autodesk Smoke, Blackmagic Fusion and Adobe Photoshop—are also compatible.

I spent a fair amount of time running both Apple Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2015 through both units. These are generally the NLEs I work with today. Naturally I expect DaVinci Resolve to work, but I was pleasantly surprised that Adobe SpeedGrade CC 2015 also works. Enabling Mercury Transmit out of SpeedGrade through Blackmagic hardware had been a bit of an issue in the past, meaning that users had to choose between working with SpeedGrade and AJA hardware or Resolve and Blackmagic hardware. For Blackmagic owners, this dilemma is now gone. Finally, with current hardware, it all works as expected.

How each unit handles 4K depends on the application and what it’s capable of. I have a test clip of Sony XAVC 4K footage (4096 x 2160). When I play it through UltraStudio Express in either Premiere Pro CC or Final Cut Pro X, it will display as 1080 even though the sequence is 4K. That’s because the unit can only output 1080. Both applications are savvy enough to downscale the sequence to 1080, and therefore it plays. Naturally, this taxes the computer, although FCP X had far less trouble than Premiere Pro did.

This was not the case when I connected the larger UltraStudio 4K. When you use Final Cut Pro X, the video output is determined by the settings in the Desktop Video Utility. If you set it to 1080p (to match the monitor), then FCP X will downscale a 4K timeline to 1080p and happily pipe it to the monitor. This isn’t true in Premiere Pro, which overrides the Desktop Video settings. Even if you set it to 1080p, because the unit is capable of handling 4K, Premiere Pro will cause it to be set to match the 4K sequence. If you are working in a 4K sequence, UltraStudio 4K will play it at 4K (one of the 2160p choices). When that happens, the 1080p monitor goes black. So which unit is right for you? You need to take into account the monitors you own and the NLE you cut with. Or you may have to upgrade your monitors.

The Desktop Video Utility is used for quick access and easy
control of hardware settings.

Both units work well. The Thunderbolt loop-through on UltraStudio 4K came in handy by leaving my second MacBook Pro port free. I connected a LaCie Rugged FireWire 800 drive using a FW800-to-Thunderbolt adapter. It was able to play a single stream of 1080p or 4K for a long time without dropped frames or other technical issues. Latency was extremely low over SDI (a bit more over HDMI) and there were no issues with audio sync. The build quality of both units is solid and Blackmagic Design now offers a three-year limited warranty.

The only caveat I would offer is that UltraStudio 4K (and I’m sure this goes for Extreme, too) is an item that should only go in a noisy machine room. The fan is very loud—think hair dryer on low. The nice PR images that show a short rack containing one of these units next to an editor or colorist is not realistic.

Blackmagic Design has come a long way in a few short years to establish itself as a key player in broadcast, production and post technology. If you are considering any of the new Macs or even PCs that employ Thunderbolt, then you’d be hard-pressed to beat these units. They perform well, handle 4K and set the standard for affordability.

Product:Blackmagic UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio 4K

Score:

Pros: Wide format and host application support. Simple configuration and operation. Easy installation with single Thunderbolt cable.

Cons: Power cords not included with rack units. Fans are noisy in rack units.

Bottom Line: An excellent family of products for SD, HD, 2K and 4K media production and post. Ideal for a wide range of users, from small shops to large facilities.

MSRP: UltraStudio Express $495, UltraStudio 4K $995

Ultrastudio Express Drivers

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Blackmagic Design Announces Desktop Video 10.6.4 Update with HDR
New software update adds HDR support to UltraStudio 4K Extreme and DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G!
Blackmagic Design today announced Desktop Video 10.6.4 Update which adds support for HDR playback over HDMI to UltraStudio 4K Extreme and DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G. Desktop Video 10.6.4 is available as a free download from the Blackmagic Design website.
Desktop Video 10.6.4 Update adds playback support for HDR content over HDMI to UltraStudio 4K Extreme and DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G. The new HDR features include HDR metadata transport and support for the Rec. 2020 color space over HDMI. This means that customers now get full support for monitoring on HDR capable displays using a single HDMI cable, making it ideal for editors and colorists working on HDR projects with DaVinci Resolve 12.5.
HDR, which stands for high dynamic range, is part of the new Ultra HD Premium standard so customers can now get big screen, low cost consumer televisions that support a massive range of color, peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits, which is 10 times brighter than most HDTVs, and incredible contrast ratio. This means that colorists and editors working in DaVinci Resolve 12.5 with UltraStudio 4K Extreme or DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G will now be able to monitor images that are more true to life and more closely resemble the color and dynamic range of the latest digital cinema technology.
'This is the most exciting time in the history of broadcast because Ultra HD is about more than just resolution, it's also about deeper colors, higher brightness, plus better contrast and textures than ever before!' said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. 'From the start of production with our URSA Mini 4.6K with 15 stops of wide dynamic range, to the end of digital post production with DeckLink 4K Extreme 12G, UltraStudio 4K Extreme, and DaVinci Resolve 12.5, Blackmagic Design is the only company that offers a true end-to-end workflow for creating the next generation of incredible HDR content!'
Desktop Video 10.6.4 Update Features
- Adds support for Rec. 2020 color space output over HDMI.
- Adds support HDR metadata transport over HDMI.
Availability and Price
Desktop Video 10.6.4 Update is now available for free download from the Blackmagic Design website.

UltraStudio for Thunderbolt™
The highest quality capture and playback solutions for your Thunderbolt™ computer!
UltraStudio 4K Extreme Built with blazingly fast Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 technology, UltraStudio lets you work with the highest quality video resolutions all the way up to Ultra HD 4K! Choose from a range of rack mount and portable UltraStudio for Thunderbolt models featuring SDI, HDMI and analog video connections. UltraStudio works with all your favorite video software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer and Adobe Creative Suite. UltraStudio are QuickTime and WDM based and work with any Mac OS X and Windows video software!

Advanced Workflow
UltraStudio 4K Extreme for Thunderbolt models are perfect for high performance work that demands the highest quality. Using a single Thunderbolt cable, you can easily connect any Thunderbolt computer or laptop for amazing on set color correction, editing, visual effects and video streaming. Lightweight and compact, UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio Mini models are extremely portable, easily moving from one computer to another. UltraStudio 4K Extreme is a high performance 'break out box' style capture and playback device for highest quality Ultra HD 60p editing as well as DCI 4K resolutions.

Choose the model that's perfect for your needs!
UltraStudio 4K and UltraStudio 4K Extreme have a rack based 'breakout box' design with the latest high performance 6G and 12G-SDI video technology, and is perfect for equipment racks, post production suites or flyaway kits! UltraStudio Express has built in SDI and HDMI inputs and outputs, plus 2 breakout cables for connecting to professional and consumer analog equipment. UltraStudio Mini Recorder and UltraStudio Mini Monitor include SDI and HDMI connections and are great when you require either capture or playback in SD or HD. UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio Mini models are Thunderbolt powered so you just plug in and go!

UltraStudio 4K Extreme
When you need the ultimate capture and playback solution then UltraStudio 4K Extreme is the perfect choice as its most powerful video capture and playback product available. It features the latest, most advanced 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections for working with high frame rate 60 frame per second, deep 12-bit color images at massive 4K resolutions, even in stereoscopic! It also includes a wider range of analog and digital connections than any other UltraStudio model so it can be used with virtually any camera, deck, router or display. For even higher performance, you can connect UltraStudio 4K Extreme to your computer using the PCIe connection so you can work with super high resolution, deep 12-bit RGB and 4K stereoscopic 3D files. Or use the built in ProRes hardware encoder when running on Mac OS X to reduce data rates so you can edit large 4K files even on laptops!

Built In Hardware Video Encoding
The UltraStudio 4K Extreme model features a built in multi format hardware encoder that lets you capture to H.265 and ProRes files. H.265 is quickly becoming the compression standard for distributing Ultra HD content online, and ProRes is the world's most popular post production format. When selected for ProRes on Mac OS X, the built in hardware encoder encodes the video in real time allowing you to go beyond the speed of Thunderbolt because high resolution and high frame rate video can be compressed internally and then only the lower data rate ProRes data is transferred over the Thunderbolt connection. Realtime ProRes encoding also means you can capture higher resolution formats on slower computers, like laptops, that normally wouldn't be able to handle them, dramatically lowering the cost and speed requirements of your workstations.
World's Highest Quality Connections
With UltraStudio 4K Extreme you can connect to virtually any video device, including cameras, monitors and broadcast decks for frame accurate editing and recording!

UltraStudio
Mini models are ideal when space is tight and you require only capture or playback. UltraStudio Mini Recorder features 3G-SDI and HDMI input and UltraStudio Mini Monitor features 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs.

UltraStudio Express
has built in 3G-SDI and HDMI connections and includes consumer RCA and professional BNC/XLR breakout cables for analog component/S-Video and composite, analog audio, genlock, AES/EBU audio, RS-422 deck control and more.

UltraStudio 4K
has 6G-SDI, HDMI 4K, analog component video, 16 channels of SDI audio, 2 channels of balanced analog, 2 channels of unbalanced AES/EBU audio, timecode, up/down/cross conversion, reference and serial deck control.

UltraStudio 4K Extreme
features Quad Link 12G-SDI working with 2160p60 over a single cable, or even Dual Link or Quad Link SDI. Also includes HDMI 2.0, analog component, 4 channel XLR analog and 2 channels AES/EBU digital audio, timecode, reference and serial deck control. Connects via Thunderbolt or with an optional PCIe adapter for higher frame rates and 4K RGB workflows.

Unmatched Quality
Amazing 4K resolutions in compressed or uncompressed
UltraStudio 4K Extreme supports popular compressed video formats such as ProRes and DNxHD as well as 10-bit uncompressed video, so you're not locked into a single file format. When working with uncompressed video all captured images are a perfect pixel-for-pixel clone of the source without any quality loss, so you have the confidence you're working at the absolute highest quality possible. Get the sharpest keying with green screens, cleanest compositions, superior color correction and more! Ultra HD 4K has 4 times the resolution of 1080HD for amazing looking images!
6G SDI
Compatible with SD, HD and Ultra HD formats

Blackmagic Ultrastudio Express Driver For Mac Windows 10

UltraStudio 4K Extreme features 6G-SDI so you get full compatibly with all your SD, 720p and 1080HD equipment up to 60 fps, plus you can instantly switch to Ultra HD up to 30 fps! Thats an incredible range of video formats with a single regular BNC SDI connection! Because the 6G-SDI connections are multi rate, they can switch between 270 Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s and 6 Gb/s data rates for compatibility with your existing SD, HD or Ultra HD equipment.
12G SDI
Incredible speed for high frame rate Ultra HD
UltraStudio 4K Extreme features the latest 12G-SDI technology, making it the world's most powerful video capture and playback solution! The incredible speed of 12G-SDI means UltraStudio 4K Extreme can support both capture and playback of Ultra HD and 4K 60p over a single BNC cable! Because the 12G-SDI connections are multi rate, you can still connect to all your existing equipment. Only 12G-SDI gives you the compatibility to connect to all your existing SD and HD equipment but also supports the future with all Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60. UltraStudio 4K Extreme even supports dual link 12G-SDI so you can do stereoscopic and simultaneous fill and key all in real time!
Innovative Portable Design
UltraStudio 4K Extreme is a sleek, innovative ultra portable design with a solid machined metal chassis that sits neatly on your desktop to keep your workspace clutter free. You can swap breakout cables depending on if you need professional or consumer audio and video connections. This means you only need to take the cable you need on location if you need analog connections, and if you don't then you can simply leave the cable behind. When you don't have any space then the UltraStudio Mini models are perfect as they are incredibly tiny. Because UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio Mini models power from the Thunderbolt connection they don't need power connections and are powered by your laptop battery. That's perfect for portable use and it saves space!

Broadcast Quality Connections
UltraStudio 4K Extreme is the perfect capture and playback solution featuring the latest and most advanced video technologies available. UltraStudio 4K Extreme features blazing fast 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0, along with analog XLR and digital AES/EBU audio, reference, timecode, RS-422 serial deck control and more. You also get 2 optical fiber cages and a PCIe connection for expansion! The 12G-SDI lets you work with the latest high frame rate Ultra HD and 4K formats at up to 60 frames per second! With UltraStudio 4K you get 6G-SDI, HDMI 4K and analog video in and out, as well as 16 channel SDI audio, blackburst/tri-level sync, timecode and serial deck control. The 6G-SDI connection lets you capture and playback in stunning Ultra HD 4K, handle 4:4:4 video and 1080p60 frame rates. The dual link 3G-SDI connection gives you dual stream 3D stereoscopic capture and playback when done via two independent channels. A Hi-Fi RCA analog audio input is included for easy capture from consumer devices, plus XLR connections for timecode. UltraStudio Express has built in 3G-SDI and HDMI connections which means that you capture and playback in amazing quality 10-bit video in SD or HD. HDMI connections let you capture directly from cameras and use low cost HDTVs for monitoring. UltraStudio Express comes with two break out cables, depending if you need professional or consumer analog video and audio connections. The break out cable includes analog component, S-Video and composite video, balanced analog audio, genlock, AES/EBU audio, RS-422 deck control and more! The consumer break out cable includes component video and unbalanced audio. UltraStudio Mini Recorder and Mini Monitor include a single HDMI and SDI connection making it the tiniest solution for capture or playback of video in amazing quality 10-bit video in SD and HD.
Elegant Machined Aluminum
Aluminum. Strong, light and unbelievably cool.
UltraStudio 4K and UltraStudio Express feature an attractive machined metal chassis that enhances the look of your studio! UltraStudio 4K features a rack mount break out box design that includes input selection buttons and a built in LCD screen on the front panel. All connections are located on the back panel and include almost every type of video and audio connection available! The machined metal provides a robust design while having the strength to handle tough environments. The UltraStudio Express model is wholly machined from a solid block of aluminum so it's attractive, lightweight and portable. Include it with your travel equipment and keep the ability to capture and playback all types of video and audio with you at all times! Push Button Control
When you're working fast you need to change settings fast. UltraStudio 4K Extreme includes input selection buttons on the front panel and there is input buttons for audio inputs as well as video inputs. This means you can select SDI audio with SDI embedded audio, or you can set inputs to different audio and video inputs such as SDI video input with analog audio inputs. The choice is yours and you don't need to go into the software settings when you need to change inputs as you can simply push the front panel button. The built in LCD lets you see what input is selected and when playing back video you can see the video output. This is vital in broadcast environments where you need to be able to confirm video playback quickly.

Thunderbolt Powered!
UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio Mini models are powered from your computers Thunderbolt connection. That means when you need portability, your video capture and playback can be powered by your Thunderbolt laptop and you can work with the highest quality video virtually anywhere. UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio Mini models are perfect for portable onset editing and live color correction with Davinci Resolve 12!

Built-in Power Supply!
The advanced UltraStudio 4K Extreme features a built in power supply so you can connect using a standard mains lead without a bulky external power brick. This saves space and because the power supply fully supports multiple international voltages automatically, you can use it anywhere in the world. With a built in power supply, UltraStudio 4K Extreme is perfect for use with the very long Thunderbolt cables that reach up to 30 meters away from the computer. These very long Thunderbolt cables use optical fiber internally so don't include power connections, so UltraStudio 4K Extreme is the perfect choice when long cables are used.