I have a brand new micro panel with firmware version 1.1.2 that is recognized by the Davinci Resolve Panels software on my Macbook Pro but not on my Windows 10 machine.
Support for HDMI 1.4 Frame Packing output for HDLink Pro 3D DisplayPort in the following formats: 720p50 720p59.94 7pp24. ATEM Mini can be operated from the front panel, or you can control it using the included free ATEM Software Control for Mac or Windows. ATEM Software Control gives you even more control and creative options! You can switch video sources live, load the media pool with graphics, use transitions and keys, change switcher settings and mix audio. Download BlackMagic Studio Camera HD Firmware Update Utility 2.4 64-bit (Digital Camera / Webcam / Camcorder). Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit - A suitable USB 2.0 port. Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver. This will help if you installed an incorrect or mismatched. Download Blackmagic Converters Setup (Choose Blackmagic Converters 7.0.9 Update or latest if any available) Install the setup on Windows or Mac OS computer. Attach a 'USB to Micro USB' cable from computer to the micro converter.
I've disabled secure boot in my bios as some others have suggested but that didn't help.I've tried both the USB3 port and the USB-C ports on my motherboard. The Micro Panel lights turn on but the Device Manager shows the yellow caution icon with a device status of:
The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)There are no compatible drivers for this device.
Thanks for any other suggestions!
-------------------------------------
Davinci Resolve 14.3.0.014
Windows 10.0.16299 Build 16299 (Pro)
AMD Ryzen 7 1700x 8-Core, 3775 Mhz Processor
Asus Prime X370-PRO Motherboard (BIOS v3803)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
32GB RAM
Blackmagic Teranex 2D, Ultrastudio Express, Intensity Shuttle (Thunderbolt), Two H.264 Pro Recorders (Mac OSX) & lots of old VTRs used for digital archiving of legacy video formats for major libraries, broadcasters, universities and public archives. Lightweight and compact, UltraStudio Express and UltraStudio Mini models are extremely portable, easily moving from one computer to another. UltraStudio 4K 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. UltraStudio has been specifically designed for the Mac platform's unique needs and is supported by a huge range of popular video software. The included drivers have been optimized for high performance video, plus the features needed for editing software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Premiere Pro CC, and Avid Media Composer. The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio 4K Thunderbolt 2 is an external 1RU/table-top I/O device with two 20Gb/s Thunderbolt ports. Blackmagic Design UltraStudio SDI BDLKULSASDI B&H Photo Video. See any errors on this page? Link to the Blackmagic Design UltraStudio on the manufacturers website. It includes the express 34 card, and is cross compatible with Mac, and Blacknagic. Other supported applications include: The SDI will only work in Windows.
| SDI Video Input | 2x 10-bit SD/HD/Ultra HD/4K (2D/3D switchable) Supports 3 Gb/s and 6 Gb/s dual link 4:2:2/4:4:4 4K and 1080p formats supported: DCI / UHD 4K 4:2:2 by single-link 6G-SDI 1080p RGB 4:4:4 by single-link 3G-SDI 1080p 4:2:2 by single-link HD-SDI 1080p 4:4:4 by dual-link HD-SDI |
| SDI Video Loop | 2x reclocked, 10-bit SD, HD, 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI |
| SDI Video Output | 2x 10-bit SD/HD/3G/Ultra HD/4K (2D/3D switchable) Supports 3 Gb/s and 6 Gb/s dual link 4:2:2/4:4:4 4K and 1080p formats supported: DCI / UHD 4K 4:2:2 by single-link 6G-SDI 1080p RGB 4:4:4 by single-link 3G-SDI 1080p 4:2:2 by single-link HD-SDI 1080p 4:4:4 by dual-link HD-SDI |
| Analog Video Input | 1x Component YUV on 3 BNCs 1x Composite on 1 BNC |
| Analog Video Output | 1x Component YUV on 3 BNCs 1x composite on 1 BNC |
| HDMI Video Input | 1x HDMI type A connector including 3D frame packing, Ultra HD, and 4K support 4K format supported: DCI 4K 4:2:2 by HDMI |
| HDMI Video Output | 1x HDMI type A connector including 3D frame packing, Ultra HD, and 4K support 4K format supported: DCI 4K 4:2:2 by HDMI |
| Analog Audio Input | 2 channels of professional balanced analog audio via XLR connectors and 2 channels of consumer unbalanced via RCA connections |
| Analog Audio Output | 2 channels of professional balanced analog audio via XLR connectors |
| AES/EBU Audio Input | 2 channels unbalanced with sample rate converter on BNC connectors |
| AES/EBU Audio Output | 2 channels unbalanced with sample rate converter on BNC connector |
| SDI Audio Input | 8 channels embedded in SD 16 channels embedded in HD 16 channels embedded in Ultra HD and 4K |
| SDI Audio Output | 8 channels embedded in SD 16 channels embedded in HD 16 channels embedded in Ultra HD and 4K |
| HDMI Audio Input | 8 channels embedded in SD, HD, 2K, Ultra HD, and 4K |
| HDMI Audio Output | 8 channels embedded in SD, HD, 2K, Ultra HD, and 4K |
| Timecode Input | 1x XLR for LTC input |
| Timecode Output | 1x XLR for LTC output |
| Sync Input | Blackburst in SD or Tri-Sync in HD |
| Device Control | Sony compatible RS-422 deck control port Serial ports Tx/Rx direction reversible under software control |
| Computer Interface | 2x Thunderbolt 2 |
| Supported Codecs | AVC-Intra, AVCHD, Canon XF MPEG2, Digital SLR, DV-NTSC, DV-PAL, DVCPRO50, DVCPROHD, DPX, HDV, XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, XDCAM HD422, 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, Uncompressed 10-bit 4:4:4 |
| Supported Applications | Apple Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, Adobe After Effects, Nuke - The Foundry, DaVinci Resolve, Avid Pro Tools, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Adobe Photoshop, Avid Symphony, Avid News Cutter, Tools On Air just:in / live:cut / just:play / just:live, Softron OnTheAir Video/ MovieRecorder / OnTheAir CG, Flash Media Encoder, Wirecast, Livestream Procaster, Resolume Avenue 4, Sony Vegas Pro, Corel VideoStudio Pro X4, CyberLink Power Director, MAGIX Video Pro X4, Vidcaster Pro / Studio / Broadcast, Uniplay, Playbox AirBox, CasparCG, Magicsoft CG, Xsplit Broadcaster, Harris Infocaster |
| Internal Software Upgrade | Firmware built into software driver. Software driver loads upgrades at system start or via updater software. |
| 4K Format Support | SDI: 3840x2160p/23.98, 3840x2160p/24, 3840x2160p/25, 3840x2160p29.97, 3840x2160p30, 3840x2160p50, 3840x2160p59.94, 3840x2160p60, 4096x2160p23.98, 4096x2160p24, 4096x2160p25, 4096x2160p29.97, 4096x2160p30, 4096x2160p50, 4096x2160p59.94, 4096x2160p60 HDMI: 3840x2160p/23.98, 3840x2160p/24, 3840x2160p/25, 3840x2160p29.97, 3840x2160p30, 4096x2160p23.98, 4096x2160p24 |
| HD Format Support | SDI: 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080p50, 1080i59.94, 1080p59.94, 1080i60, and 1080p60 HDMI: 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080p50, 1080i59.94, 1080p59.94, 1080i60, and 1080p60 |
| SD Format Support | SDI: 625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC HDMI: 625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC |
| Compliance | SDI: SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 372M, SMPTE 425M level B, ITU-R BT.656 and ITU-R BT.601 HDMI: HDMI 1.4b |
| SDI Video Sampling | HD and 4K at up to 30p at 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 (anything above 30p in either HD or UHD will be sampled at 4:2:2) |
| Color Precision | SDI / HDMI: 10-bit |
| SDI Color Space | REC 601, REC 709 |
| SDI Audio Sampling | Television standard sample rate of 48 kHz and 24 bit |
| SDI Metadata Support | VITC read for 3:2 pulldown removal VANC capture and playback using up to 3 lines of video in file HD RP188 Closed captioning |
| HDMI Resolution | Pixel for pixel up to 4K resolutions |
| HDMI Copy Protection | HDMI input is unable to capture from copy protected HDMI sources. Always confirm copyright ownership before capture or distribution of content. |
| Colorspace Conversion | Hardware based real-time |
| 3D Processing | Dual stream and frame packed capture and playback |
| HD Down Conversion | Built in, high quality hardware down converter outputs HD-SDI on SDI A output, SD-SDI on SDI B output, and Composite and S-Video when working in HD video formats on playback. Switch analog video to Component and choose HD or SD output. Selectable between letterbox, anamorphic 16:9, and center cut 4:3 styles. |
| HD Up Conversion | Built-in, high quality hardware up conversion from SD to 720HD or 1080HD on playback. Selectable between 4:3 pillarbox, 14:9 pillarbox, and 16:9 zoom. HD outputs via HD-SDI, HDMI, and component analog. |
| HD Cross Conversion | Built in, high quality hardware cross conversion from 720HD to 1080HD and 1080HD to 720HD on playback. |
| Real Time Effects | Apple Final Cut Pro internal effects Adobe Premiere Pro Mercury Playback Engine effects Avid Media Composer internal effects |
| System Requirements | Mac with Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2, and OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, OS X 10.9 Mavericks, or later |
| Power | 1x built-in international AC power supply with IEC C14 inlet 120-240 V, 50-60 Hz |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 104F (5 to 40C) |
| Storage Temperature | -4 to 113F (-20 to 45C) |
| Relative Humidity | 0 to 90% non-condensing |
| Safety Compliance | FCC, CE, C-Tick |
| Dimensions | 19 x 5.59 x 1.73' (48.2 x 14.2 x 4.4 cm) |
| Weight | 3.7 lb (1.68 kg) |
| Packaging Info | |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 4.25 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 19.1 x 7.5 x 3.3' |
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.
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.
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.
Blackmagic Design Mini Recorder Software
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
Blackmagic Ultrastudio Express Driver
Score:
Black Magic Design Ultrastudio Express Driver Machine
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.
Blackmagic Ultrastudio Mini Recorder Windows
Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle Driver Download Windows 10
MSRP: UltraStudio Express $495, UltraStudio 4K $995
Subscribe
Blackmagic Design Software
For more stories like this, and to keep up to date with all our market leading news, features and analysis, sign up to our newsletter here.
Blackmagic Design Software Download