Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G

Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G Overview

The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G is a compact, portable capture device that lets you record or stream professional video directly to your computer via a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 connection. Designed for broadcasters, live streamers, video professionals, and content creators, it captures high-quality video from HDMI or 3G-SDI sources with exceptional reliability and low latency.

Supporting video formats up to 1080p60, the UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G captures broadcast-quality 10-bit 4:2:2 YUV and RGB video and supports both compressed and uncompressed workflows. Whether you're ingesting footage for post-production, live streaming, or recording directly into your favourite software, it delivers professional performance in a pocket-sized design.

Powered directly from your computer via its USB-C connection, the UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G requires no external power supply, making it ideal for mobile production, on-location recording, and compact studio setups. It supports a wide range of professional codecs including Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, and uncompressed video formats for maximum workflow flexibility.

Compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux, the UltraStudio Express Recorder 3G works seamlessly with professional applications such as DaVinci Resolve and includes Blackmagic Design's free Developer SDK for custom software integration.

Connections

SDI Video Inputs

1 x 10-bit SD/HD switchable

SDI Rates

270Mb, 1.5G, 3G

SDI Audio Inputs

16 channels embedded in SD/HD

HDMI Video Inputs

1 x HDMI 2.0 Type A connector

HDMI Audio Inputs

8 channels embedded in SD/HD

Computer Interface

1 x USB Type-C® supporting USB 40Gbps

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

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 is built into the software driver. Software driver loads upgrades at system start or via updater software.

Software Applications

• Wirecast
• vMix
• OBS
• Cinegy Capture Pro
• DevTek EasyMediaSuite
• Glookast Capturer
• Metus Ingest
• Softron MovieRecorder
• ToolsOnAir just:in
• Burst Video WebClip2Go & [REC]Marker
• Zoom

These are third-party applications and support may vary. Please check with your software vendor.

SDI Video Standards

SD Video Standards

525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL

HD Video Standards

• 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
• 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
• 1080PsF23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080PsF25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080PsF30
• 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30
• 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60

2K Video Standards

• 2KPsF23.98 DCI, 2KPsF24 DCI, 2KPsF25 DCI, 2KPsF29.97 DCI, 2KPsF30 DCI
• 2Kp23.98 DCI, 2Kp24 DCI, 2Kp25 DCI, 2Kp29.97 DCI, 2Kp30 DCI
• 2Kp50 DCI, 2Kp59.94 DCI, 2Kp60 DCI

SDI Compliance

SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 274M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 424M and SMPTE 425M Level A and B.

SDI Metadata Support

RP 188/SMPTE 12M-2 and closed captioning.

SDI Audio Sampling

Television standard sample rate of 48 kHz and 24-bit.

SDI Video Sampling

4:2:2 and 4:4:4

SDI Color Precision

8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards.

SDI Color Space

Rec 601, Rec 709 and Rec 2020.

Multiple Rate Support

SDI video connection is switchable between SD and HD.

HDMI Video Standards

SD Video Standards

525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL

HD Video Standards

• 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60
• 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080i60
• 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30
• 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60

HDMI Audio Sampling

Television standard sample rate of 48 kHz and 24-bit.

HDMI Video Sampling

4:2:2 and 4:4:4

HDMI Color Precision

8-bit RGB 4:4:4, 8-bit YUV 4:4:4 and 12-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards.

HDMI Color Configuration

HDMI 2.0 supports Deep Color.

HDMI Color Space

Rec 601, Rec 709 and Rec 2020.

Multiple Rate Support

HDMI video connection is 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

Hardware Frame Buffer

v210 10-bit YUV, 2vuy 8-bit YUV, ARGB, BGRA 8-bit RGB, r210 10-bit RGB, R12B and R12L 12-bit RGB.

Processing

Colorspace Conversion

Hardware-based real-time conversion.

Physical Installation

Requires a computer with a USB Type-C® port with 40Gbps signalling rate.

Operating Systems

• Mac 15.0 Sequoia
• Mac 26.0 Tahoe or later
• Windows 10, 64-bit
• Windows 11
• Linux

Power Requirements

Powered by Type-C® cable. Requires a computer with a USB Type-C® 40Gb/s port.

Environmental Specifications

Operating Temperature

5° to 40° C / 32° to 104° F

Storage Temperature

-20° to 45° C / -4° to 113° F

Relative Humidity

0% to 90% non-condensing