Blackmagic Design UltraStudio SDI is a Windows-compatible HD-SDI capture device that connects to your computer via USB 3.0. The compact, handsome, machined-aluminum device draws power through the USB 3.0 connection. UltraStudio SDI includes all necessary capture/playback software and drivers, so setup is a breeze.

The device captures uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 YUV video from any deck, broadcast router, or video camera with SDI output, and plays it back to broadcast-quality SDI monitors. The USB 3.0 connection supports data rates up to a blazing 4.8 Gb/s, which is plenty fast to effect a direct high-speed connection to your video editing software's real-time effects processing.

UltraStudio SDI also features an HDMI 1.4 output for monitoring via an HDMI-enabled television, computer monitor, or projector. RS-422 deck control is included for controlling HDCAM SR, Digital Betacam, HDCAM, D5, DVCPRO HD, and other VTRs. For genlock, the device accepts a blackburst or tri-sync reference signal.

All UltraStudio SDI files are open standard AVI, DPX, and QuickTime format, so you can edit with just about any software, including Sony Vegas, The Foundry's Nuke, eyeon Fusion, Digidesign Pro Tools, and Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and After Effects. Though it's a Windows-based device, UltraStudio is qualified by Apple for Final Cut Pro compatibility, so you can batch capture from decks and play back FCP timelines with RT Exrtreme real-time effects. Other supported Final Cut Pro features include 10-bit rendering, 16-channel audio, deck control, and support for ProRes, JPEG, DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO HD, and 8- & 10-bit uncompressed video.