Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio HD Pro

Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio HD Pro

The Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio HD Pro is an updated 1 RU file-based deck that features the same functionality and control of professional tape decks in a digital design. This model updates the previous HyperDeck Studio models with several features including 6G-SDI support, two added SD card slots, USB Type-C recording output, timecode input and output, Ref input and output, a redesigned jog/shuttle wheel, Gigabit Ethernet, and a speaker on the front.

The Studio HD Pro records uncompressed video with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour using either ProRes or DNxHD codecs, as well as the H.264 compression format. With two SSD slots and two SD card slots, you can record almost endlessly as one SSD becomes full, recording automatically continues on to the other, and the SD card slots are also hot-swappable. The Studio HD features one 6G-SDI input, two 6G-SDI outputs, a loop-through SDI output, a dedicated SDI monitor output, and there's also one HDMI input and one HDMI output that can all output up to DCI 4K. The ports autodetect the signal and will adjust to the SD, HD, or 6G-SDI format input. The 3-pin XLR timecode input and output allow you to sync timecode with other devices, and it also allows you to daisy-chain with other devices to create a timecode sync chain.

The Studio HD Pro is a 1 RU rack-mountable unit, with built-in rack mount ears. It features illuminated front panel button control and a heavy jog/shuttle wheel for analog scrubbing. RS-422 control is supported for external control using the Ref input and output ports. The USB Type-C port allows you to record to external disks, and you can also use it to plug into a computer to use as a source for a web stream. An integrated LCD on the front panel allows you to monitor the video and display timecode and transport information.

The new HyperDeck Studio recorders have been totally redesigned with dozens of new features. The advanced models have new broadcast-style front panel controls and more connections on the rear panel. The LCD screen supports both light and dark modes, plus the transport control buttons are stronger with a firm professional feel. The Pro models feature a machined metal search dial with increased mass and a soft rubber surface that feels nice to the touch. Plus the search dial features an active clutch, just like a traditional broadcast dec. With dual media slots, you can change cards without interrupting recording. The advanced models even include a front headphone connection and speaker.

All models record to H.264, ProRes, and DNx files, so are perfect for recording broadcast masters. You can even use PCM or AAC audio. You get everything you need to send shows to broadcasters and for uploading to YouTube.

All models feature timecode and reference generators, with outputs to loop to other HyperDecks. This means you can build a rack of HyperDeck Studios for ISO camera recording, allowing multi-cam editing after live events. You can even sync cameras to the SDI output and the SDI input has frame sync.

HyperDeck Studio is perfect for digital signage as all models have HDMI output for connecting to large screen TVs and projectors. The built-in sync generator lets you combine multiple HyperDecks for large multiscreen video walls. There's even FTP for file upload and a protocol for remote control.

HyperDeck Studio supports all SD and HD standards so it's ideal for archiving old television shows from broadcast decks such as Digital Betacam, Betacam SP, 1", U-matic, and VHS. You can even record directly to H.264 to maximize storage. For analog decks, just add a Mini Converter Analog to SDI.

HyperDeck Studio features traditional deck-style transport controls, including a search dial for a jog, shuttle, and scroll. The compact LCD shows timecode and transport information, plus a full-colour thumbnail preview of the current clip in record or playback. It also displays information about each card's recording status, along with video format, frame rate information, and audio levels, all on the same display. The LCD includes monitoring for video, plus audio level meters, selectable between technically accurate VU or PPM ballistics. The combination of familiar VTR style controls with the built-in LCD screen makes HyperDeck Studio incredibly fast to use and very easy to learn.

HyperDeck Studio includes a traditional broadcast-style control panel that's very fast to use. Simply press the record button and you instantly start recording the video input to a file. You can also change the record file format from the menu. There are transport control buttons for playback, rewind, fast forward, previous clip, next clip, and more. The Pro models have a machined metal search dial that supports shuttle, jog, and scroll so you can find clips fast. Any button pressed on the front panel is sent to the rear RS-422 remote output for looping control to multiple HyperDecks. The Plus and Pro models also include a front panel speaker and headphone socket for live audio monitoring.

All HyperDeck Studio models support recording to common SD cards and UHS-II cards so you don't need expensive custom media. However, the Pro models also add two SSD slots so you can use two different types of media. SD cards and SSDs are the perfect choices for broadcast media because they are small and very affordable. When using H.264, the files are so incredibly small you get very long recordings even on smaller low-cost cards. Plus, you can even record to external USB disks. With H.265, you can record up to 58 hours in 2160p60 Ultra HD or up to 157 hours of H.264 recording in 1080p59.94 on a 1TB card. That's over 6 days of recording in HD using a single 1TB card.

All HyperDeck Studio models feature dual media slots for nonstop recording. When the recording card becomes full, the recording automatically continues onto the next card. That's perfect when recording long live events because you can "hot swap" a full card for an empty card while recording continues in the other slot. Each slot has a status indicator to show which card is being used, either red for record or green for playback. Plus all models now feature very long file recordings to a single file for easy file distribution. HyperDeck Studio is easily repairable with each card slot using an individual PCB assembly that can be replaced if it ever becomes worn out from heavy use.

If recording to other types of media is required, the USB Type-C expansion port lets you plug in an external flash disk for recording. USB Type-C flash disks have unlimited capacity because they can be physically larger than an SD card or SSD. Plus, it's even possible to record to a disk array you'll use for editing, so you don't need to waste time copying files before starting post-production. Just move the disk over to a computer and instantly start editing. You can even add a Blackmagic MultiDock 10G that has 4 separate SSD media slots, so you can add compatibility with SSD media to the HyperDeck Studio Mini and Plus models. There are also menus for managing external disks on the built-in LCD.

HyperDeck supports the most popular codecs in use today. All models include DNx and ProRes file formats. However, all models also include H.264 in quality levels up to full 10 bit 4:2:2 when recording in NTSC, PAL, 720p, 1080p and true 1080i interlaced formats. That means you get tight 60:1 to 285:1 compression ratios for very small files at full broadcast quality. Plus you can choose uncompressed PCM audio, or even AAC audio when uploading files to YouTube. All models support both ExFAT and HFS+ disk formats and long-duration single file recordings. The Plus and Pro models even support ProRes 4444 allowing fill and key playback.

Depending on the model HyperDeck Studio features a wide range of video and audio connections such as 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI, or 12G-SDI. All models include HDMI for connecting to televisions and projectors. There's even a dedicated SDI monitoring output on the Pro and Plus models with on-screen status. The Pro and Plus models include two SDI outputs so you can play ProRes 4444 files, allowing simultaneous fill and key output for keying in live production switchers. The internal timecode and reference generator connections can be looped to sync multiple units for ISO recording. All models even include AC and locking DC power.

With multi-rate SDI, you get support for the most popular video standards. The SDI and HDMI connections will automatically switch video standards, so handle SD, HD, and Ultra HD formats depending on the model. SD formats include NTSC and PAL. 720p HD standards include 720p50 and 720p59.94p. 1080i HD interlaced formats include 1080i50 and 1080i59.94. 1080p HD formats include 1080p23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60p. HyperDeck can even support 1080PsF formats. HyperDeck Studio also supports level A and level B when running HD video at 3G-SDI rates.

The HyperDeck Studio Plus and Pro models can play ProRes 4444 HD files to the two separate SDI fill and key outputs. That means you can use HyperDeck Studio as a graphics clip player for broadcast animation because the ProRes 4444 file's alpha channel will be automatically converted to the key SDI output for real-time keying in a live production switcher. Imagine running animated lower-third titles and stingers with key channel outputs for incredibly clean multilayered titles. Plus, switchers such as Blackmagic Design ATEM models connect to HyperDeck Studio via Ethernet to trigger playback synced to transitions.

For compatibility with a wide range of computer software, HyperDeck Studio features webcam support using the USB connection. If you're not recording to an external USB disk, you can plug the HyperDeck USB connection directly into a computer to get live video into any video software. The computer is tricked into thinking the HyperDeck is a common webcam, but it's really a broadcast-quality video source. That guarantees full compatibility with any video software and in full resolution 1080 HD quality. HyperDeck Studio's USB webcam feature works with any video software including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype, or get live streaming with Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, and more.

You'll be ready for the latest feature film workflows with support for advanced HDR standards. All HDR status information is embedded into the SDI connections so downstream equipment can detect when HDR files are played. When recording, the SDI and HDMI inputs will also automatically detect HDR video standards and then tag the files with the correct HDR information. Static metadata PQ and HLG formats are handled according to the ST2084 standard. Plus the front panel LCD has a wider colour gamut for both Rec. 2020 and Rec. 709 colour spaces. HyperDeck Studio Plus and Pro models even allow you to load a 3D LUT into the monitoring output to add looks or to convert film to video gamma.

HyperDeck Studio includes professional multi-channel SDI audio for recording up to 16 channels. When recording from the SDI input, you can select in the menu to record 2, 4, 8, or 16 channels of audio in real-time. There's extra space on the SDI monitoring status overlay, which allows the audio meter display to show the number of channels you have enabled all at the same time, and the audio meters will show 2, 4, 8, or 16 channels simultaneously. The audio meters are designed to use the correct ballistics, and you can change between different VU and PPM meter displays in the LCD menu. HyperDeck Studio is more than just a video recorder, as it also has quality sound.

All HyperDeck models allow media files to be uploaded remotely, using simple FTP client software. For remote deck control, all models use an easy to learn text-based protocol, so you can use a simple terminal app like Telnet to test control commands. Simply log into the HyperDeck and then type "play" or "record" and it will execute the command. If you combine the control protocol and file transfers with a HyperDeck connected to a large USB Type-C disk array, you get a fantastic broadcast server for ingesting, media management, and play out.