Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G

Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G is a pocket-sized capture device for bringing professional video from 3G-SDI or HDMI into a computer. It captures SD and HD formats up to 1080p60 and 2K DCI up to 60 fps over a USB-C host interface with 40 Gb/s signalling, compatible with USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 computers. It is powered directly by the computer and needs no power supply of its own.

Pocket-sized 3G-SDI and HDMI capture over USB4

UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G brings the picture from a camera, switcher or other source straight into a Mac, Windows or Linux computer. The compact device is powered via USB-C and captures SD and HD formats up to 1080p60.

3G-SDI inputHDMI 2.0 inputUp to 1080p60 and 2K DCIUSB4 / Thunderbolt 4USB-C power

Capture professional video anywhere

The compact body fits in a laptop bag and needs no separate power supply – a single USB-C cable carries both data and power.

Live streaming

Bring the picture from a camera or switcher into OBS, vMix or Wirecast.

Archive digitizing

Through the SDI or HDMI input you can also capture older broadcast decks to files.

Ingest for editing

Capture to Apple ProRes, DNxHD and uncompressed 10-bit video.

Video calls and AI

A professional camera as the source for Zoom or AI image processing applications.

Two professional inputs

The switchable 10-bit 3G-SDI input and HDMI 2.0 let you connect a broadcast camera, a deck or an ordinary HDMI source. USB4 provides enough bandwidth for compressed and uncompressed workflows. The device is input only – it does not send a picture from the computer.

Designed for mobile and studio ingest

Blackmagic Desktop Video drivers link the hardware with compatible applications for editing, capture, streaming and image processing. Compatible workflows: DaVinci Resolve, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and other supported applications, and Wirecast, vMix and OBS for streaming.

10-bit broadcast quality

Uncompressed 10-bit capture is a pixel-for-pixel clone of the source with no loss of quality. The SDI input handles 8, 10 and 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30 and 8 and 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all formats, the HDMI input accepts 8-bit RGB and YUV 4:4:4 and 12-bit YUV 4:2:2.

Included software

The interface comes with Media Express for capturing, playing and managing clips, Disk Speed Test for checking disk speed, LiveKey and Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility with drivers for macOS, Windows and Linux. Capture is also supported in Cinegy Capture Pro, Softron MovieRecorder, Glookast Capturer and Zoom.

Connections

One side has an SDI input on a BNC connector and a Type A HDMI input, the opposite side a 40 Gb/s USB-C port for data and power.

Dimensions and weight

The pocket-sized body measures 92 × 45 × 25 mm and weighs 158 g, so it fits in a laptop bag.