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UltraStudio 4K announced by Blackmagic at IBC 2012

Allan Tépper
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At IBC 2012, Blackmagic announced the US$1295 UltraStudio 4k audio/video i/o, which now represents the top end Thunderbolt device from the Australian company, which is now known not only for its interfaces, but also for its DaVinci Resolve software, cameras, and other products. Unlike prior UltraStudio Thunderbolt interfaces from Blackmagic, this is the first to have a 19-inch rack form factor. It is an obvious step up from its sister, the US$995 UltraStudio 3D, whose name sometimes confuses people, since it also handles 2D… and of course the UltraStudio 4K can also do 3D, and features an LCD monitor and hardware buttons for source selection. As you can imagine, the first question I asked Blackmagic was: Does the UltraStudio 4K offer digital RGB-over-HDMI? I asked on behalf of DreamColor owners, because the total price of the UltraStudio 4K is lower then the sum of the UltraStudio 3D plus the “Band-Aid” (the HDLink Pro 3D DisplayPort). Of course, I know that the HP DreamColor is not a 4K monitor (at least not the current one).

Specs of the UltraStudio 4K (from the press release, with my comments)

Does the UltraStudio 4K offer RGB/4:4:4 over HDMI?

Here was the response from Blackmagic’s public relations department:

It will not. It is YUV.
I am checking in on whether it is in the works and will get back to you on that.

I have been asking the same question of Blackmagic for several years now, and as you can tell, I haven’t given up 🙂

As a conclusion after Blackmagic’s response: if you own a DreamColor monitor, you plan to use DaVinci Resolve to do grading, and don’t already own a compliant Blackmagic interface, you can consider the UltraStudio 4K for its other features (or any other compliant Blackmagic interface), but you must know that for now, you’ll still need a “Band-Aid” in the form of the HDLink Pro 3D DisplayPort. If you are new to this HP DreamColor telenovela, read the prior articles which are listed below. If you own an interface from AJA, Matrox, MOTU and expect it to work with DaVinci Resolve: the only way I see that happening is if AJA, Matrox, or MOTU buys Blackmagic. You never know…

Related DreamColor articles

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Contact Allan T©pper for consulting, or find a full listing of his books, articles and upcoming seminars and webinars at AllanTepper.com. Listen to his TecnoTur program, which is now available both in Castilian (aka “Spanish”) and in English, free of charge. Search for TecnoTur in iTunes or visit TecnoTur.us for more information.

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