UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 - Powerful capture and playback box, includes 12G‑SDI, HDMI, YUV / composite video, audio

Powerful capture and playback box, includes 12G‑SDI, HDMI, YUV / composite video, audio

UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 is the world's most advanced capture and playback solution for PCI Express and Thunderbolt computers.

It features incredibly fast 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3, advanced 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections for up to 60 fps with deep color, 12-bit RGB, support for HDR workflows via HDMI 2.0a, and extremely large 4K frame sizes.

The widest range of analog and digital connections makes UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 compatible with virtually any camera, deck, router, or display. Plus, real-time H.265 encoding is supported thanks to its incredibly powerful built-in hardware encoder.

Main features

• Thunderbolt 3 capture and playback in a rackmount design
• 12G-SDI, HDMI, and analog connections
• Ideal for professional editing and color correction
• SD, HD, and Ultra HD up to 2160p 60
• 4:2:2 and 4:4:4, dual-stream 3D capture and playback

Technical characteristics

Connections

• SDI video inputs: 2 x 12 Gb/s and 2 x 6 Gb/s SD / HD / 2K / 4K. Supports single, dual and quad link 4:2:2 and 4:4:4. 2D and 3D switchable
• SDI video outputs: 2 x 12 Gb/s and 2 x 6 Gb/s SD / HD / 2K / 4K. Supports single, dual and quad link 4:2:2 and 4:4:4. 2D and 3D switchable
• SDI rates: 270 Mb/s, 1.5 Gb/s, 3 Gb/s, 6 Gb/s, 12 Gb/s
• Optical SDI: Supports 2 optional SMPTE modules
• SDI video loop: 4 x reclocked SD / HD / 2K / 4K linked to corresponding inputs
• SDI video repeated outputs: 2 x 12 Gb/s and 2 x 6 Gb/s SD / HD / 2K / 4K. Supports single, dual and quad link 4:2:2 and 4:4:4. 2D and 3D switchable
• Analog video inputs: 1 x component YUV on 3 BNCs, 1 x composite NTSC/PAL on 1 BNC
• Analog video outputs: 1 x component YUV on 3 BNCs, 1 x composite NTSC/PAL on 1 BNC
• Analog audio inputs: 4 channels of professional balanced analog audio via XLR connectors and 2 channels of consumer unbalanced via RCA connectors
• Analog audio outputs: 4 channels of professional balanced analog audio via XLR connectors
• Optical fiber inputs / outputs: 2 x 12 Gb/s optical fiber (optional)
• AES/EBU audio inputs: 2 channels unbalanced with sample rate converter on BNC connector
• AES/EBU audio outputs: 2 channels unbalanced on BNC connector
• SDI audio inputs: 16 channels embedded in SD / HD / 2K / 4K
• SDI audio outputs: 16 channels embedded in SD / HD / 2K / 4K
• HDMI video inputs: HDMI 2.0 type A connector with support for 2160p 60
• HDMI video outputs: HDMI 2.0 type A connector with support for 2160p 60
• HDMI audio inputs: 8 channels embedded in SD / HD / 4K
• HDMI audio outputs: 8 channels embedded in SD / HD / 4K
• MIC input: 1 x 48 V microphone input via XLR connector. Phantom power switchable via software control
• Time Code input: 1 x XLR input
• Time Code output: 1 x XLR output
• Sync input: 1 x reference input. Tri-sync or black burst
• Sync output: 1 x reference loop output. Tri-sync or black burst
• Computer interface: Thunderbolt 3 (Mac OS and Windows), PCIe 4 lane generation 2
• Power: 2 x built-in international AC power supply with IEC C14 inlet. 100 to 240 V, 50 to 60 Hz

Supported codecs

• Supported codecs: AVC-Intra, AVCHD, Canon XF MPEG2, Digital SLR, DV-NTSC, DV-PAL, DVCPRO50, DVCPROHD, DPX, HDV, HEVC, XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, XDCAM HD422, DNxHR, DNxHD, Apple ProRes 4444, Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 LT, Apple ProRes 422 Proxy, Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2, Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2, Uncompressed 10-bit 4:4:4

Software

• Software included: DaVinci Resolve, 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

Software applications

• Software applications: DaVinci Resolve, Fusion, Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Avid Media Composer, Adobe After Effects CC, Avid Pro Tools, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo, Adobe Photoshop CC, OBS Studio, Wirecast, vMix Live, Zoom, The Foundry Nuke, Grass Valley Edius, Sony Catalyst Production Suite, Tools On Air Just: Play & Live & In, Softron MovieRecorder & MReplay, Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder, Telestream Wirecast, Resolume Arena, Magix Vegas Pro & Movie Edit Pro Premium, Corel VideoStudio Pro, CyberLink PowerDirector, Vidblaster X & Studio & Broadcast, Uniplay One & CG, CasparCG Server, Magicsoft CG, Xsplit Broadcaster, Imagine Communications Velocity & InfoCaster, DevTek Easy Media Suite, Metus Ingest, Boinx Software MimoLive, Cinegy Capture Pro, Renewed Vision ProPresenter, Ventuz Director, Class X Liveboard & Coral CG, Glookast Capturer, Open Broadcaster Software Studio, Nautilus NEMO3D, Derivative TouchDesigner, Assimilate Scratch, Burst Video WebClip2Go, Burst Video REC Marker, Autodesk Flame

SDI video standards

• SD video standards: 525i 59.94 NTSC, 625i 50 PAL
• HD video standards: 720 x 480p 59.94, 720 x 576p 50, 1280 x 720p 50, 1280 x 720p 59.94, 1280 x 720p 60, 1920 x 1080p 23.98, 1920 x 1080p 24, 1920 x 1080p 25, 1920 x 1080p 29.97, 1920 x 1080p 30, 1920 x 1080p 47.95, 1920 x 1080p 48, 1920 x 1080p 50, 1920 x 1080p 59.94, 1920 x 1080p 60, 1920 x 1080PsF 23.98, 1920 x 1080PsF 24, 1920 x 1080PsF 25, 1920 x 1080PsF 29.97, 1920 x 1080PsF 30, 1920 x 1080i 50, 1920 x 1080i 59.94, 1920 x 1080i 60
• 2K video standards: 2048 x 1080p 23.98 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 24 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 25 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 29.97 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 30 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 47.95 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 48 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 50 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 59.94 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 60 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 24 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 25 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 29.97 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 30 DCI
• Ultra HD video standards: 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 3840 x 2160p 24, 3840 x 2160p 25, 3840 x 2160p 29.97, 3840 x 2160p 30, 3840 x 2160p 47.95, 3840 x 2160p 48, 3840 x 2160p 50, 3840 x 2160p 59.94, 3840 x 2160p 60
• 4K video standards: 4096 x 2160p 23.98 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 24 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 25 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 29.97 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 30 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 47.95 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 48 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 50 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 59.94 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 60 DCI
• 3D video standards: 1280 x 720p 50, 1280 x 720p 59.94, 1280 x 720p 60, 1920 x 1080p 23.98, 1920 x 1080p 24, 1920 x 1080p 25, 1920 x 1080p 29.97, 1920 x 1080p 30, 1920 x 1080p 47.95, 1920 x 1080p 48, 1920 x 1080PsF 23.98, 1920 x 1080PsF 24, 1920 x 1080PsF 25, 1920 x 1080PsF 29.97, 1920 x 1080PsF 30, 1920 x 1080i 50, 1920 x 1080i 59.94, 1920 x 1080i 60, 2048 x 1080p 23.98 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 24 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 25 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 29.97 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 30 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 47.95 DCI, 2048 x 1080p 48 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 24 DCI, 2048 x 1080PsF 25 DCI, 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 3840 x 2160p 24, 3840 x 2160p 25, 3840 x 2160p 29.97, 3840 x 2160p 30, 3840 x 2160p 47.95, 3840 x 2160p 48, 4096 x 2160p 23.98 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 24 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 25 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 29.97 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 30 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 47.95 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 48 DCI
• SDI compliance: SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 274M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 372M, SMPTE 424M, SMPTE 425M, SMPTE 435, SMPTE 2048-1, SMPTE 2081-10, SMPTE 2081-11, SMPTE 2082-10, SMPTE ST2108-1, ITU-R BT.656, ITU-R BT.601
• SDI metadata support: RP-188/SMPTE 12M-2 and closed captioning
• SDI audio sampling: 48 kHz, 24 bit
• SDI video sampling: 4:2:2, 4:4:4
• SDI color space: REC 601, REC 709, REC 2020
• HDR support: HDR metadata packing, HLG and PQ transfer characteristics
• SDI configuration: SDI output configurable for Quad Link 3 Gb/s via Blackmagic Desktop Video Utility. When using single link 12 Gb/s on SDI A or dual link 6 Gb/s on SDI A and B, SDI C and D will output downconverted HD

HDMI video standards

• SD video standards: 525i 59.94 NTSC, 625i 50 PAL
• HD video standards: 1280 x 720p 50, 1280 x 720p 59.94, 1280 x 720p 60, 1920 x 1080p 23.98, 1920 x 1080p 24, 1920 x 1080p 25, 1920 x 1080p 29.97, 1920 x 1080p 30, 1920 x 1080p 50, 1920 x 1080p 59.94, 1920 x 1080p 60, 1920 x 1080i 50, 1920 x 1080i 59.94, 1920 x 1080i 60
• Ultra HD video standards: 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 3840 x 2160p 24, 3840 x 2160p 25, 3840 x 2160p 29.97, 3840 x 2160p 30, 3840 x 2160p 50, 3840 x 2160p 59.94, 3840 x 2160p 60
• 4K video standards: 4096 x 2160p 23.98 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 24 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 25 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 29.97 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 30 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 50 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 59.94 DCI, 4096 x 2160p 60 DCI
• 3D video standards: 1280 x 720p 50, 1280 x 720p 59.94, 1280 x 720p 60, 1920 x 1080p 23.98, 1920 x 1080p 24, 1920 x 1080p 25, 1920 x 1080p 29.97, 1920 x 1080p 30, 1920 x 1080i 50, 1920 x 1080i 59.94, 1920 x 1080i 60
• HDMI audio sampling: 48 kHz, 24 bit
• HDMI video sampling: 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0
• HDMI color space: REC 601, REC 709, REC 2020
• HDR support: HDR static metadata packing, HLG and PQ transfer characteristics
• HDMI configuration: HDMI 2.0b supports Deep Color and HDR. Automatically configures to connected display
• Multiple rate support: HDMI and SDI video connections are switchable between SD, HD, UHD and 4K. Component analog video connections are switchable between SD and HD
• Copy protection: HDMI input is unable to capture from copy protected HDMI sources. Always confirm copyright ownership before capture or distribution of content
• Hardware frame buffer: ARGB, BGRA (8-bit RGB 4:4:4:4), r210 (10-bit RGB 4:4:4), R12B and R12L (12-bit RGB 4:4:4) up to 3840 x 2160p 30. 2vuy (8-bit YUV 4:2:2) and v210 (10-bit YUV 4:2:2) in all modes
• Color precision: 8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 3840 x 2160p 30 and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards

Hardware frame buffer

• ARGB, BGRA (8-bit RGB 4:4:4:4), r210 (10-bit RGB 4:4:4), R12B and R12L (12-bit RGB 4:4:4) up to 2160p 30
• 2vuy (8-bit YUV 4:2:2) and v210 (10-bit YUV 4:2:2) in all modes

Color precision

• 8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 2160p30 and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards

Computer capture

• 2 x Thunderbolt 3 for Mac and Windows plus PCI Express Gen 2 for Mac, Windows and Linux. Includes Blackmagic Desktop Video SDK

Control

• Built-in control panel: 14 buttons for input selection, 5 inch color display
• Device control: 2 x RS-422 deck control

Processing

• Encoding: hardware-based real-time H.265 encoder
• Ultra HD down conversion: built-in hardware down converter outputs Ultra HD to HD on SDI outputs C and D and HDMI output
• HD to SD down conversion: built-in hardware down converter outputs HD to SD on SDI output B, component and composite NTSC/PAL. SD output selectable between letterbox, anamorphic 16:9 and center cut 4:3
• HD up conversion: built-in software up converter from SD to HD on input. Selectable between 16:9 zoom or anamorphic
• HD cross conversion: built-in hardware cross conversion from 720p to 1080HD and 1080HD to 720p on playback
• Colorspace conversion: real-time hardware based
• 3D processing: dual stream and frame packed capture and playback

Real-time effects

• DaVinci Resolve: internal effects
• Final Cut Pro X: internal effects
• Adobe Premiere Pro CC: Mercury Playback Engine effects
• Avid Media Composer: internal effects

System requirements

• Mac: macOS 14.0 Sonoma, macOS 15.0 Sequoia or later
• Windows: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11
• Linux: supported

Environmental specifications

• Operating temperature: 5 to 40 °C
• Storage temperature: -20 to 45 °C
• Relative humidity: 0 to 90% non-condensing

Physical specifications

• Dimensions: 43 x 8.8 x 22 cm
• Weight: 4.5 kg

What’s included

• UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3
• Welcome wallet with QR code for software download
• DaVinci Resolve SD card