Blackmagic Design unveils new UltraStudio 4K model

Blackmagic Design has released details of a new model of UltraStudio 4K, billed as the world’s first video solution to include super-fast Thunderbolt 2 technology.

UltraStudio 4K is an attractively designed rack mount capture and playback device based on Thunderbolt 2 technology developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple. The solution features a machined aluminum front panel with an integrated colour LCD, as well as fast-to-use video and audio input buttons. UltraStudio 4K is attractive so it’s perfect for desktop as well as rack mount use. The rear panel includes a wide variety of video and audio connections, including 6G-SDI, HDMI 4K, analog component/s-video/composite, as well as balanced analogue and AES/EBU digital audio.

Now with the 20 Gb/s speed of Thunderbolt 2, UltraStudio 4K has even more bandwidth to work with higher quality video and frame rates. Customers will therefore be able to capture and playback Ultra HD 4K YUV video at 60 frames per second and Ultra HD 4K RGB video at 30 frames per second via the advanced 6G-SDI video connections. The Thunderbolt loop through allows connection of up to six devices, so customers can connect fast disk arrays for massive amounts of video storage with a single Thunderbolt connection to their computer.

UltraStudio 4K handles virtually every television format, featuring 6G-SDI connections that instantly switch between SD, HD, Ultra HD and 4K. UltraStudio 4K is also suitable for 3D workflow as it features both interleaved/side by side and dual stream capture and playback.

UltraStudio 4K customers will be able to take advantage of the forthcoming Desktop Video 10 release. The new Desktop Video 10 driver architecture is a major new software update designed from the ground up to be optimised for high speed computers and the new emerging Ultra HD television formats that require massive data speeds.

Grant Petty, CEO of Blackmagic Design, comments: “The speed of the new Thunderbolt 2 is mind-blowing. We are incredibly excited to deliver the world’s first video capture and playback solution that features this amazing technology and includes almost every video and audio connection available! Now with faster, more powerful Thunderbolt 2 computers on the way, video professionals will be able to work with multiple streams of 4K and get more layers of realtime effects and colour correction than ever before.”