why has it taken so long to find a video that explains this so well-- everyone just says you need the device then doesn't really mention why. Thank you Doug!
I really appreciate your explanation and your non-pretentious presentation. You have helped immensely. I've read in other places that I needed this device in order to grade HDR, but no one explained exactly what this device does. You did so now I understand what's going on. Thanks again!
Excellent presentation, except for a little technical thing : Thunderbolt 3 *is carried by* USB-C, so it is not a regular USB-C cable but it is a USB-C cable carrying the Thunderbolt standard! Thunderbolt 2 was carried by a MiniDisplay cable, which is even weirder. So "Thunderbolt" is the data-carrying protocol and "USB-C" is the physical cable; "Thunderbolt 3" can only be carried over USB type C cables, as long as those cables are *rated* for TB3 speed! The same way you have SDI cables that are rated from 3G, 6G, or 12G SDI, that are all SDI cables :)
Hi Doug, Such a great video. Thank you for the explanation. I have one question, I'm color grading on the road, with a very simple setup (a macbook pro M1 max and a BenQ SW270c monitor), would I require this device to get a clean rec709/sRGB signal to my BenQ monitor? Or this is mainly for TV monitors? Thanks!
Hi Doug, great explanation thanks. I am editing with Avid media composer on Mac Studio m2. I have a question re audio. If I am using the 3G box for an external TV monitor can I also use it to take the audio via an amplifier to passive speakers ? Thank you
If you have a way to extract the audio from the SDI or HDMI output (perhaps even an audio output on the monitor), then yes. But you should also validate that the software you're using can send audio to the UltraStudio too. In the cases of video editing software where these devices are typically used, outputting audio to the UltraStudio won't be turned on by default.
ON a separate note, what's the advantage of using this device vs a USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter to connect an additional display? Would Premiere and FCP X not see the additional display if connected via a USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter?
Premiere can, I'm not sure about FCPX. But even then, you can't be sure that the colors and exposure you're seeing are accurate, and neither Premiere nor FCPX will adjust the frame rate or resolution to match the timeline, so some scaling and/or frame rate conversion is likely, giving you an altered perspective of what is actually happening in your project.
Hello Friend how are you? I have a mac pro 2013 with TB2 ports, can you connect UltraStudio Monitor 3G with the apple TB2 to TB3 adapter but to a DOCK TB3 that has power supply? have you tried it? Thanks a lot
Great video! Want to ask.. i use a macbook pro m1 and i use a docking station.. do i need to put the monitor 3G before the Signal goes to the dockingstation?
The UltraStudio uses Thunderbolt, so if you use a docking station it has to have a Thunderbolt port you can plug into. The UltraStudio doesn’t have a pass through or downstream port for another device
Thanks for the video. I am wondering how to avoid image cropping when working on a 4k timeline outputting to a 4k monitor. I can’t find a way for the image NOT to be cropped in.
That's software dependent. But in most cases the software doesn't let you choose a specific output resolution. In either case, though, the UltraStudio Monitor 3G doesn't output 4K, so the image either has to be scaled or cropped. If you want to output in 4K you should step up to the UltraStudio Mini 4K.
You only need this device for outputting video from specific software applications, like video editors and some playback applications. They allow you to bypass the regular video outputs of your computer for an accurate representation of video you're editing. They are completely independent and separate of your HDMI/DP/VGA/etc. video outputs and the two have nothing to do with one another.
As mentioned in the video -- it is output at the correct resolution, frame rate in the proper color space, often at a higher bit depth, synchronized properly, without any of the processing that normally accompanies using an HDMI or similar output on a computer, like color space conversions, resizing/stretching, frame rate conversion, tearing, etc. It's a pure representation of the signal rather than a rough approximation of it.
Does your device show up in Blackmagic Design Media Express? You might need to re-install the drivers. And if you're on a Mac, be very careful to follow the installation instructions exactly, down to the letter.
Very informative video. Does HDMI out from this device carry audio signals that can be fed into an audio interface or AV receiver for let's say a surround?
Thanks for your in depth look into this. 3 Questions please: Q1: Can the Monitor 3G be used to send a M1 Mac mini output e.g. propresenter into an atem device (i.e. Atem 2 M/E production 4k or any atem switcher)? Q2: Can the Recorder 3G be used for the vice versa send and atems program feed into a Mac and sent into zoom (as a webcam)? Q3: Could this act as a cheaper alternative to the decimator md-hx?
A1: If the software you're using supports Blackmagic Design outputs. I believe that ProPresenter does. A2: No. It is an output-only device. You could get the UltraStudio Mini Recorder if you need video input. Or the UltraStudio Mini HD if you want both input and output in a single device. A3: No. They are different types of devices. The UltraStudio products are video output/inputs, and the Decimator MD-HX is a video format converter (SDI/HDMI).
Still don't understand or the reason to use this on a macbook, qhen you connect an external monitor you can go to settings and screens and select the color profile for that external monitor, also for when you are editing lets say at 24fps timeline you can tell osx to put the screen and work on 24 fps. So i dont se much point of this device, maybe the SDI output? Or to replicate a signal for various monitors beyond the limitations of outputs and external monitor capabilities of the macbook (or computer), but then is kinda expensive for that purpose no? For example Atomos monitors (an many others) already have Hdmi in and hdmi out to duplicate the signal to another monitor. Also for video playback without rendering, to show the edited video in full screen in davinci resolve for example you just set your 2nd monitor as "clean feed" and it will show full screen video on that monitor. Can some one explain what im not getting?
@@fusionmayafilms You can’t ever trust the colors and signal levels coming out of a regular monitor output, especially with calibration. There are too many ways that the signal can be tweaked in that signal chain to ever be able to be sure that what you’re seeing is correct. Calibration, particularly with affordable devices, just makes the situation worse by giving you an even less accurate output which is trying to compensate (and failing at it, I might add) for shortcomings of the attached monitor. The only way to be sure that you’re seeing an accurate representation of a signal is to get all of the processing out of the signal chain entirely and use a properly calibrated monitor. The regular HDMI/DisplayPort outputs always pass through internal signal processing that you can’t turn off. MacOS is actually a far worse offender than Windows as most of it happens whether you like it or not. This includes (but isn’t limited to) SDR/HDR compensation, an arbitrary LUT selection and application based on the color space of the video source, desktop settings, monitor EDID data and which monitor is attached, built-in scaler, and frame rate conversion. There is nothing you can do as a consumer to turn all of those off (or even compensate for them), and each one of them gets the signal farther and farther away from the original data. They’re trying (and failing, by the way, particularly if you’re using an affordable calibration device) to compensate for limitations of your display and are removing image data in every step of the process. It’s like using an equalizer to try to fix the sound on crappy speakers… it will never get you to an accurate representation of an audio signal, as there are other issues besides frequency response that affect the sound like timing, imaging, phase relationships just to name a few. To get an accurate picture, you have to start with a clean, perfect copy of the image data, and that just isn’t possible if that signal is being passed through the operating system. And then use a quality monitor. And if you’re balking at the cost of this device, you certainly aren’t buying monitors that are even in the ballpark of accurate display, even with a professional calibration. Trying to use calibration software to get an accurate display output is like trying to take a video that someone has shot by pointing their phone at a television and manipulating it to make it look and sound as good as the original. It just can’t be done, and the harder you try, the farther and farther it gets from representing the original source.
There are a handful of other applications that work with it, like OBS for example. But you'll have to check the product's documentation to know for sure.
hi! thanks for the video, does this device supports a "Decklink" output from a Mac? ... you know that you can use the decklink cards to send a video output there, does this device works the same way if we want to use it for that?
The UltraStudio products are basically the same as DeckLink cards, just using Thunderbolt rather than being internal. Software which supports DeckLinks will work with the UltraStudios as well.
This was the info I needed! A couple questions: Given a setup with a Mac Mini M1, where a thunderbolt port is in use for a standard computer monitor, and the HDMI port is feeding a projector (for example), will this device allow a third video output, despite Apple saying the internal graphics system only supports up to two monitors? (I think in actual practice I'd be using this device to feed our projector, given the SDI output, but the question remains, can I have HDMI output, a thunderbolt monitor output, and a third output using this device?)
Hi Doug, great video! I am using a HP PC that has usb c, is there any kind of adaptor that I can use to connect my PC to my Mini Monitor or do you know of any other convertor I can use that doesn't require a thunderbolt port? Thank you!
The Mini Monitor requires Thunderbolt. It won’t work with USB-C ports that don’t have Thunderbolt capability. And there’s no way to convert USB to Thunderbolt.
Hi Doug, thanks for Your great and smart videos!! You mentioned, that the device talks right to the software. Does that mean, that it does in a way take work from the graphic-card, compared to - say - a usb-c-to-HDMI-Dongle?
Hello Doug. Big fan of your channel! I have a BMCC camera with a faulty SDI output and it would cost an arm and a leg to fix + the official service said: "we no longer repair this camera as we do not have most of the parts available for it".... My question is - is it possible to connect the BMCC via its thunderbolt output into this ultraStudio monitor (but the old version, not USBc lookalike connector) and then HDMI output to an Atem mini Extreme in order to see a video signal?
Hi Doug! Very helping video. I have a question about thunderbolt 2. I need to connect to the Ultrastudio thunderbolt 3 a MacBook Pro mid12 that has only a thunderbolt 2 and you said that a thunderbolt 2 dock is what I need. Can I ask you to tell me what dock do you use or what docks you suggest to avoid any troubles? Thank you so much for every video you make. Really appreciate your help!
The one I have and know to work isn't sold any longer. But this one ( amzn.to/36Z6g7c ) seems to be its replacement. On top of that you'll need one of Apple's Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapters (which is bidirectional, FYI).
@@djp_video Hi! Thanks for your answer... unfortunately I'm confused XD I already have a thunderbolt 2 thunderbolt 3 adapter, I assumed it didn't work 'cause there no electricity plugged in like a dock. Now, the link show me a dock that hasn't a thunderbolt 2 input. So I think you mean that I need this configuration to work: MacBook Pro>thunderbolt2 cable>thun2thun3 adapter> dock>Ultrastudio Recorder. If this is right...is there an economic solution? I can search myself! I just want to know if it exists and if my mind is right. Thank you again!
Unfortunately, because the Apple adapter doesn't supply power you have to find another way to inject power into the Thunderbolt signal chain. The only way I know of doing that is a powered Thunderbolt dock. So it does become expensive. Have you considered just using the older version of the UltraStudio Mini Monitor that is Thunderbolt 2-based instead?
@@djp_video yes, it was my second option. But it seems to be not easy to find or at the same price (including expedition) of a dock. I hope I'll figure it out. Thank you again!
Hey Doug, quick question - Will both the HDMI and SDI ports output work at the same time if both are plugged in? I'm planning a signal flow something like this... MBPro -> BMD UltraStudio Monitor 3G -> HDMI to Projector AND SDI to another monitor/video router
Hi Doug Very informative video! I am looking at getting one to use as a confidence monitor in vMix (because I have exceeded monitor outputs on Graphics Card) but have heard this device can add high latency. Has this been your experience?
No. Thunderbolt can’t be added to a computer that doesn’t already have it. There’s no way to convert anything else to Thunderbolt. It’s unfortunate that the creators of Thunderbolt chose to use the same connector as USB. It has created a ton of confusion.
Hi Doug, how it works with 4k monitors? Does the 3G scale up 2k signal to 4k full window or display only small window on 4k monitor? Ultrastudio 4k mini would be better for me but the price killing me. Thanks.
Hi Doug! I run davinci resolve and a calibrated Eizo monitor which is supposed to store the calibration LUT inside the monitor. When I use the ultrastudio 3G I get deeper blacks and a nicer image than when I don't and use the clean feed feature of Resolve. Why do I get deeper blacks with that 3G device? Doesn't make sense to me ^^ Many thanks!
The UltraStudio would be giving you a more accurate output that isn’t going through the processing or calibration of a graphics card, so long as the color space is set correctly in Desktop Video Setup
Hey Doug, thanks for your video. Really answered a lot of my questions. Btw, i have macbook air m1 with 8gb ram, if i use this device, will it also help FCPX with rendering effect or transition? Because sometimes, even when using proxy, FCPX use too much ram for my laptop and used ssd for swap memory and i heard it not good in the long run. Thanks
nice explaination thanks..... i have one thing to ask hope u will reply my comment if i connect ultrastudio recorder 3g to computer/laptop can i see live in davinci resolve software as live timeline.....if so can we do live color grade with that image signal...
There is a way to do this in Resolve, but it is limited in its capability, and there is a pretty significant signal delay. I believe the feature is called Live Color.
Hi I do production on a Mac Mini M1 and there is a limitation on the number of monitors, being two. Can I use this device as a workaround to output video while maintaining my two other monitors for software? Thanks
It doesn't count as a monitor in macOS, but you also can't use it for a desktop display... it only works for video playback from supported software like Premiere, Final Cut, Resolve, After Effects. But on the flip side, with this plugged in you can still add a second monitor to your Mac.
@@djp_video Thanks So much for your anser. Now I need to see if this wil be compatible with my DAW which is Reaper. I know it is compatible with ProTools and Cubase... Lets see..
Ok. So I use a MacBook Pro and I currently have a BenQSW270C monitor hooked into it via the USBC port. I’ve had minor nagging issues of gamma shifts once rendering. Folks on the Davinci Resolve groups have said I need something like this. So can I just hook this in like this: MacBook >ultra studio (via thunderbolt)>monitor (via hdmi)? Is this setup acceptable for color grading and getting a good end result?
It does work, but setting it up in macOS 11 isn’t fun. It requires several reboots and following some very specific instructions from BMD to get it going. It has no impact on rendering performance. It only gives you a dedicated output from video editing applications. Think of it more like another video output port than a video card. Stay tuned to the channel for a video I’m working on with regard to performance of the M1 processor for video applications.
Hi Doug, i want to ask you if this UltraStudio Monitor 3G work fine with the news Macs who come whith thunderbolt 4. there is no problem between thunderbolt 3 and 4?
@@djp_video Hi Sir!!, I bought the ultra studio monitor, but i dont know, i use davinci resolve, and work whit some projects a other dont work, my monitor is 2.5K so somebody told me that i have to use the "VIDEO MONITORING" video format HD 1080PsF25. and work with some projects but other projects nothing. i dont know if i have to use Output scaling too???.. (all my projects are on 1080). I been grateful if you can help me with that. Sorry for my english Sir!!
Hi. As most of the colourist use 2k and above monitors. Every-time the colourist works on a 2k and above timeline in resolve, the image get zoomed in the monitor while using this device ? If that is the case then we have to buy ultra-studio 4k which costs more than the benq 4k monitor. Is there any alternative solution for this?
Very helpful video. Thank you for that! A question for you, if you've got the time: I now have one of these and am using it with Avid Media Composer to feed a full time client monitor. My project and timeline are 1080 24p. It works fine with an LG TV, buttering to use it with a 27" Dell monitor I get a message that it's unsupported and to switch to 60 hz. If I try switching it in the BlackMagic settings I still get the error and it stops working correctly on the LG TV (picture goes very blue). Do I need a specific type of monitor - that will accept the 1080 24p signal - for this to work correctly? Thank you for any insights!
Computer monitors aren't generally designed to accept a wide variety of input signal types. It isn't uncommon to only see 60p supported, though 30p is also pretty common. 24p and 1080i are particularly problematic. If you need to go with a computer monitor, I'd steer you toward the higher-end models. Or consider going with a 4K monitor. The LG and Dell 4K monitors I've tried all support 24p and 1080i as well (though the Dells don't let me disable overscan in 1080i). The Samsungs I've tried are much less flexible, with 1080i not being supported. For the widest variety of support for different input formats, televisions tend to be much more flexible.
Thank you so much for your reply, Doug! Is there a TV you would recommend? I am looking for something on the smaller side, closer to 27" - I am trying to fit it into a limited workstation space with two 27" monitors. Or if I went the 4K computer monitor route, which LG would you recommend? Sounds like the LGs are the most flexible...
Hey Doug, thanks for the in depth explanation inside this video. The explanation really gave me a rough understanding of the device. I'm still a somewhat-beginner to this world and still figuring out all of the technical bits in creating my setup, so i'm still a little bit lost as to essentially how this device really works and how i could use it for my purposes specifically. I mainly do editing and color grading work on a pretty old Macbook Pro. The main issue i've been dealing with is playing back my footage (whether on the Final Cut/Resolve) onto an external monitor via HDMI output, where the footage is often laggy or choppy. I was wondering whether this is an issue of the GPU being overworked due to the processing for the editing/color grading work and not enough for also displaying onto the external monitor, especially it being a pretty old laptop? And to sum up in context towards this video, would using this UltraStudio Monitor 3G help me solve this problem? (Because i read in other comments that this would, in a way, take some of the workload off of my GPU)
@@djp_video Thankyou for your quick reply. I would like to further ask if that's okay with you. Why wouldn't i see any improvement in performance? Wouldn't the UltraStudio Monitor 3G theoretically help take up some of the workload of the GPU so that, in basic words, give more space for the GPU to process the effects/rendering/etc? Cheers
Do you think that may be something I can use to export a separate output from “ProPresenter 7” for lower thirds or graphics different from what is showing my Aux output from Atem Tv Studio HD for IMAG. Thanks for your time to respond.
Hey! Have you tried it? I am thinking getting a 4K monitor and BMD UltraStudio Monitor 3G . Is it scaling it up correcty or do i have to get a HD monitor?
I bought the apple thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter about 2 months ago and have been trying desperately to make it work with my brand new desktop computer (right now there isnt a discreet gpu yet. currently running intel UHD770). I own a ultra studio mini monitor (non 3g) that i have been using for many years with my macbook pro. I found this video after a whole month of googling and reading up on why my ultrastudio isnt working. I almost gave up trying to fix it and thought of buying a brand new blackmagic card. This video is the only other place on the internet that explicitly says that the APPLE ADAPTERS DO NOT TRANSMIT POWER. I feel like I have been cheated by apple. They should mention this on their website. Anyway, can someone please tell me which other thunderbolt adapter I can get to make this work.
Is your desktop computer a Mac? The Apple adapters only work with Mac computers. And as you noticed, they do not transmit power. You can insert a Thunderbolt hub/dock in the signal chain to provide power for devices that require it. You'll be better off just getting a newer UltraStudio Mini Monitor than to try to continue to add adapters to make the older model work. I've used the StarTech adapter and it did work, but it costs nearly as much as the newer UltraStudio (amzn.to/3KV2KMB).
@djp_video thank you so much for the quick reply. I think I will resort to buying a deck link 4k card. My workstation desktop is a windows machine. Your channel is great. I have subscribed!
@@djp_video Ok thanks but how i can i be sure i got the good color profile on my monitor ? I calibrate it with a spyder today and while i use the ultrastudio 3g it seems pink to me. I use it on prermier
@@martinmorissette1238 The Spyder calibration devices are terrible. You won’t get the same results twice. Don’t trust it. You’re better off without it. Also, that calibration won’t help if you are using an UltraStudio or similar device.
Hey Doug! Can't remember if I asked you this already but this video made me think of the question again... I still have no answer. I wanted to purchase a BenQ PD2700U DesignVue monitor for my multi-view from my ATEM Mini Extreme. I am using various cameras and thought that monitor could help me with getting the colors matched. I was GIVEN a beautiful DELL 27" Monitor and thought GREAT!!! But it had THUNDERBOLT inputs ONLY... Is there any device that can go HDMI to THUNDERBOLT? I looked at Micro Center and B&H, No luck... I'll call the DVE store later but If you know of a hack, please let me know.
@@djp_video Well I'm pretty sure if YOU have not seen it, It does not exist. I'm talking to a few custom cable companies to see if it can be done and not TOO expensive. And Correction the Monitor I was given is a LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B 27" 16:9 5K IPS Monitor. THANKS AGAIN!!!
can you use it as strong repeater for video signal from laptop to my monitor and atem. if this can't then what can do that without reducing the resolution or quality. Is there some thing that can do it with software rather just plug and play setup
It's used for providing a clean video output from video editing software like Premiere, Resolve, After Effects, or Final Cut. It will not display your desktop.
@@djp_video thanks for replying. Can pls clarify me on what should use for capturing display out with audio from one computer to another with compromising the quality?
No. It sounds like you're looking for calibration. Most LG OLED TVs support calibration internally. You can have someone come and do that for you, but out of the box they're pretty accurate when placed in the right mode.
@@djp_video Hi Doug, I recently purchased this and use it thru Davinci Resolve. I have a 4k laptop going thru this to an LG OLED 4k TV but the picture on the TV is zoomed in. Is there a way to change the aspect ratio to get this to work?
@@thelewij7 Resolve, unfortunately, won't scale the output -- it just crops in on the center when you have a 1080p output on a 4K timeline. So you'll need to change the format of your timeline to 1080p, or switch to the UltraStudio Mini 4K.
@@djp_video Seriously, I asked Blackmagic and BH Photo and both gave some long obscure answer that didn't work. Thanks for the help and your videos are great.
You can't, at least not without making some changes. You could add a capture care to capture the output of the Monitor 3G, or use a regular HDMI/USB-C/DVI/Thunderbolt monitor while you need to share.
Hi Doug, a bit late in the day for a fresh query. I use a Macbook Air to display a FHD video output to Various projectors. I have been using a simple and inexpensive dongle for USBC to HDMI. What I have experienced is that this works fine with some projectors (possibly recent models) but not with others. The problems I have encountered are frame flashing, intermittent blackouts for a second, and just plain simple not recognising the video output. Interesting to note, I use the USBC output through the dongle to a large monitor and that works fine. So is there something different about projectors that could cause the issues and would this dongle solve that?
Is the Mac you're using one of the newer M1/M2 models? They've been really problematic with HDMI outputs. It's been a real headache for a lot of people. You could try running through some kind of converter to regenerate the signals. A bi-directional Micro Converter from Blackmagic Design might to do the trick. Some USB-C to HDMI converters work better than others too.
I spent a good portion of the weekend researching HDMI issues with Macs. What a mess it is. I plan on doing a video sometime about what I've found. But the bottom line is that the only way I was able to get an HDMI output from an M1/M2-based computer into a HyperDeck or ATEM switcher, Decimator, or other converter was to use an HDMI splitter, connecting both a real video monitor to one output and the other device to the second output. And even then it only works on specific models of splitters. I'm using one from OREI and it is working pretty consistently.
Hi Doug, I’ve rewatched your video hoping to find an answer to my question. I have the ultrastudio3G in one monitor and the other with davinci Resolve open. But when you look at the images, they are different in contrast and saturation. Any thoughts on why this is happening?
They're going through different processing. Unless your monitors are both calibrated and you've taken the time to color manage your computer I'd be shocked if the images weren't different. But I'd trust the output of the UltraStudio far more than I would a native output from the computer itself. There's simply no way to know that the video output on your computer is anywhere close to accurate. That's one of the reasons for an UltraStudio or similar device -- to get all of the image processing being done by the GPU out of the equation to give you a better chance of seeing an accurate image.
@@djp_video thanks so much for quick reply! What your saying is that, as I color correct my images, my eyes are on the monitor with the ultrastudio rather than what’s on timeline. I actually did that for one of my projects, when exported, picture it was totally different.
Looking into this as a solution to offload some processing from my CPU while working in AVID ProTools. Have you noticed a reduction in CPU usage when using this as your clean feed out? You may not be a Pro Tools user, but I’m curious to see if there is a reduction in CPU usage even in DaVinci/Premier etc. Thanks for any help! I just ordered one to test for myself, but I wanted to get your input as well.
@@djp_video Yes! I’ve just upgraded my current rig with an external GPU (Sonnet 750ex with AMD rx6600xt card in it) and it’s been great running my 3 monitors and has significantly smoothed out my playback and edit experience in DaVinci, but within Pro Tools, I’m still seeing some pretty heavy CPU utilization and seemingly very little GPU utilization (based on my MBP GPU history) when doing mixes/SFX design to picture. What I’m wondering is if I offload the video output to be managed by this box, if it will free up some CPU usage by ProTools.
No. If anything, CPU usage will go up a little as the video is prepared for the UltraStudio. Not all effects in an editor will be accelerated by a GPU. There are still some things that are CPU bound. In that case the best you can do is a CPU with more cores, and/or higher speed cores. Being that you're using a laptop you might already be at the limit of what your computer can achieve.
@@djp_video Thanks for the info! I see your point. I’ll report back with my findings once I’m able to do an actual test with the hardware. Thanks again!
@@suspendedsound Hi Andy, I'm in a similar scenario myself. Would like to integrate a 3rd monitor for video only. I have an external GPU and like you saw very limited gains. Was eyeing up the 3G also hoping it might lower cpu/gpu/latency strain, and have a rock solid frame perfect picture to work to with Pro Tools. Did you get anywhere on this quest?
@@djp_video ah ok, so the (dont know what happened there) UltraStudio Monitor 3G acts as a second display. You dont NEED to use premier to playback a video clip.
It isn't a regular display in Windows. It can only be used with software that explicitly supports it, like Premiere, Resolve, CasparCG, vMix to name a few.
I have an older UltraStudio Mini Monitor that was gifted to me. I´m looking to use it with my first monitor for color grading that is an Eizo at QHD. I was told this mini monitor is good for HD, but unsure if it will cover QHD. Further, I thought these (are they "mini monitors"?) came in HD to 4K, but see only one the 3G version on Black Magic. Very confused. Can you help? Thanks kindly
These are HD only. In the case of the 3G model it will do up to 1080p at 60 frames per second. The older, non-3G version, only does 1080p at up to 30 fps. If you need UHD support you'd need a different product like the UltraStudio 4K Mini. None of these will support QHD, as that resolution isn't used for video.
@@djp_video I’m currently over my head thanks for your patience. Does this mean that it would only display HD or would not function at all? And in order to see 2k with the QHD you need the 4K mini monitor? With the price of the 4K mini monitor, in that case I’d probably be better off finding an hd monitor
The behavior depends on what software you're using. Resolve, for example, will let you pick what resolution it sends to the UltraStudio. Premiere, on the other hand, will send the highest resolution available. But in any case, the monitor you connect needs to be able to handle whatever resolution and frame rate is output by the UltraStudio or you won't get an image. For example, UHD (4K) monitors basically always can handle HD (2K) footage, but the reverse usually isn't true. What you see on your monitor will be based on the lowest common denominator of what the UltraStudio and software are capable of, as long as your monitor can handle that signal type. Using a QHD monitor isn't really ideal for editing either HD or QHD because in both cases the image has to be stretched. You're best bet is to use a monitor of the same resolution as the signal you're editing, or some integer multiplier of the horizontal and vertical resolutions. So if you're editing 1920x1080 HD, it will look best on a monitor with a native resolution of 1920x1080, but it would work pretty well on a monitor with 3840x2160 resolution because those numbers are exactly double and scaling is easy to do. QHD falls in the middle -- 2560x1440 -- so the monitor takes groups of 3 pixels from the source and stretches them (unevenly) over 4 pixels on the screen in each direction, resulting in visible softening of the image. As a general rule, HD computer monitors will usually only display HD resolutions in exactly 50 or 60 frames per second (depending on your region of the world). High-end HD monitors can sometimes also handle 24, 25, or 30 frames per second, or 1080i footage, or sometimes 2K, but support for those is uncommon. UHD monitors can usually handle HD/2K/UHD/4K signals at 24, 25, 30, 50, or 60 frames per second. They are a lot more flexible. Consumer televisions usually handle all common frame rates. HD models can handle HD but not UHD, where UHD TVs can handle HD or UHD. Support for the DCI 2K/4K resolutions is hit and miss. As for what your monitor supports, you'll need to check the owner's manual.
@@djp_video many kind thanks for these details. I’m using Resolve. Very good to know about the multiplying of resolutions. It’s interesting bc a a popular RUclips colorist recommends the Eizo Color edge that is QHD…feeling thoroughly mystified about how one makes the right decision
@@djp_video Thanks for the reply. Another thing, ultra studio monitor 3g supports thunderbolt 3 and macbook pro is thunderbolt 4, do i need to buy any additional hardware/wire/adapter to get it connected to my macbook pro other than thunderbolt 3 wire.
Hi there Doug, so my church runs pro presenter for its services. We are moving from windows to mac. Mac mini M2 Pro actuality, we run a 4k projector, a 1080 projector, a 27 inch monitor and a 19 inch monitor, i can run 2 of these from the hdmi and usb ports but in need 2 more, can i run 2 seprate ultra studio monitor 3g side by side from my thunderbolt4 ports
You should be able to run as many of these as you have Thunderbolt ports to plug them into. Your Mac Mini has 2 Thunderbolt ports so you can run a total of 2 Thunderbolt devices (like the UltraStudios) without getting a Thunderbolt hub/dock. These do not work in USB ports. And I would refrain from running video over USB A ports -- it's horribly inefficient and slows down your computer noticeably. And high-motion sources like video can drop frames. Video over USB is a hack which emulates a GPU in software and it performs poorly. With your intended configuration I'd steer you away from Mac Minis. A Mac Studio can work, but you'd be pushing the Mac Mini to its limits and likely not have a good experience. Mac Minis can really only properly output to two displays: one over HDMI and a second over one of the USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports, which it sounds like you'd be using for a UltraStudios, leaving you with just a single video output for your desktop. The base Mac Studio has four Thunderbolt/USB-C ports and can output to four displays.
Hi,Sir. I bought a ultrasound recorder 3G, and tried to connect to my laptop lenovo y540”, but I couldn’t. it was not detected. I used thunderbolt 3 cable with Blackmagic Converter Setup ..but it shows FIX USB -C Problems in windows...plz solve my issue
It doesn't look like that model has a Thunderbolt port. The UltraStudio is a Thunderbolt device and only works when connected to a Thunderbolt port. It's confusing, because Thunderbolt uses a USB-C connector, but USB-C isn't Thunderbolt.
Right. But The UltraStudio isn't a USB-C device. It's a Thunderbolt device. They use the same connector and Thunderbolt cables can be used for USB-C, but they are different types of connections. If your laptop doesn't support Thunderbolt there is nothing you can do to make the UltraStudio work. Thunderbolt is required.
In a house of worship setting, I’m wanting to come out of lightning on Mac mini and send SDI to a monitor, which will be converted to HDMI. Instead of spending the money on a chassis and deck link card, would this work?
That depends on what software you're using. It would have to support a Blackmagic DeckLink/UltraStudio output. Applications like KeyNote/PowerPoint do not.
@@djp_video if it functions like a deck link, that’s definitely supported as its one of their main recommendations. I just don’t need a duo 2 with that many ins/outs for that price :)
Hey doug.. you might be able to help me out here..im at a dead end..i need to make a temporary video matrix installation for a corporate event...i need to build (client specific tech requirements) an 15 video screen matrix wall in a 5wide x 3high config...have you come across a matrix splitter where this is possible. Wpuld be nice if i could do HDMI and SDI connection
Theoretically this should be able to. But I haven't tested it. One thing that would be odd though is doing HDR at just 1080p. It's technically allowed, but almost all instances of HDR are done at UHD resolutions.
Yes. Be aware of bandwidth requirements. The UltraStudio Monitor 3G doesn't necessarily require a lot of data (a little over 3 Gbps max), but if you have a high bandwidth device connected to the same Thunderbolt port on your computer (like a monitor), the two (or more) devices will share that available bandwidth. So if you were outputting video via the UltraStudio and have a monitor connected while writing big files to a fast SSD, all on the same Thunderbolt port at the same time, it's potentially possible to saturate that connection and experience slowdowns or even dropped frames.
@@djp_video Thanks for the quick reply. Here's my situation.... Currently we output to two TVs at our church via ProPresenter using a 27" Intel iMac. Although I've been able to connect a third TV/monitor to the iMac the connection is unstable as I believe the imac has a 2 display output limit. We recently acquired 2 large TV/Wall displays that I also want to connect to the iMac/ProPresenter so I can control output from one computer. I looked into getting a PCIe DeckLink Duo 2 card and enclosure which will allow me to playback to all 4 displays no problem, but it will also require several HDMI to SDI converters plus SDI cabling, etc. I just discovered the UltraStudio Monitor and was going to see if I can connect 4 units (1 for each output display) to a 4 port TB3 dock, which then gets connected to the iMac via a single TB3 cable. I believe ProPresenter will see all 4 displays as separate devices, but hoping there are no bandwidth issues. NOTE: I don't plan to connect any other device(s) to the TB3 dock other than the (4) UltraStudio Monitors.
The limitation with bandwith is actually per Thunderbolt controller, not per-port. So if your iMac only has one controller driving all of its Thunderbolt ports, you still have a total of less than 40 Gbps limit for all devices. I don't know the internals on the iMacs, but you can more or less guarantee that there any controller is connected to more than one Thunderbolt port. The UltraStudio Monitor is going to have the same bandwidth limitations as a DeckLink card. I have run 7 1080p29.97 outputs on a single Thunderbolt port on my M1 Mac Mini, but it doesn't seem to like it that much. And that's with no other devices connected to the Thunderbolt bus. Someone somewhere on the Internet has probably figured out how the Thunderbolt controller(s) on your iMac are connected to the Thunderbolt ports. That might help you in deciding whether you can pull this off or not. Thunderbolt Monitors take up a lot of the available bandwidth, FYI. If your model of iMac has an HDMI port, you should use it. Also, connecting an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor directly to a Thunderbolt port (i.e. not through a hub or other Thunderbolt device) using a simple passive cable should not use any Thunderbolt bandwidth per se, as that puts that port into USB-C Alt mode rather than using the Thunderbolt controller. Allegedly. It's all overly complicated and very confusing.
And, for what it's worth, every type of device connected to a Thunderbolt dock uses Thunderbolt bandwidth, as that data has to travel over Thunderbolt to get between the computer and dock. That's different behavior than an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor connected directly to a USB-C port on the computer.
One more note... as far as I can tell, no iMac has multiple Thunderbolt controllers. So your total combined Thunderbolt bandwidth for all ports is going to be less than 40 Gbps.
why has it taken so long to find a video that explains this so well-- everyone just says you need the device then doesn't really mention why. Thank you Doug!
I really appreciate your explanation and your non-pretentious presentation. You have helped immensely. I've read in other places that I needed this device in order to grade HDR, but no one explained exactly what this device does. You did so now I understand what's going on. Thanks again!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent presentation, except for a little technical thing : Thunderbolt 3 *is carried by* USB-C, so it is not a regular USB-C cable but it is a USB-C cable carrying the Thunderbolt standard!
Thunderbolt 2 was carried by a MiniDisplay cable, which is even weirder. So "Thunderbolt" is the data-carrying protocol and "USB-C" is the physical cable; "Thunderbolt 3" can only be carried over USB type C cables, as long as those cables are *rated* for TB3 speed! The same way you have SDI cables that are rated from 3G, 6G, or 12G SDI, that are all SDI cables :)
Did I not say that?
Hi Doug,
Such a great video. Thank you for the explanation. I have one question, I'm color grading on the road, with a very simple setup (a macbook pro M1 max and a BenQ SW270c monitor), would I require this device to get a clean rec709/sRGB signal to my BenQ monitor? Or this is mainly for TV monitors? Thanks!
This would be ideal for your application.
Thank, Doug! Much appreciated
Hi Doug, great explanation thanks. I am editing with Avid media composer on Mac Studio m2. I have a question re audio. If I am using the 3G box for an external TV monitor can I also use it to take the audio via an amplifier to passive speakers ? Thank you
If you have a way to extract the audio from the SDI or HDMI output (perhaps even an audio output on the monitor), then yes. But you should also validate that the software you're using can send audio to the UltraStudio too. In the cases of video editing software where these devices are typically used, outputting audio to the UltraStudio won't be turned on by default.
Hey Doug, your awesome! Thank you!
ON a separate note, what's the advantage of using this device vs a USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter to connect an additional display? Would Premiere and FCP X not see the additional display if connected via a USB-C to HDMI cable/adapter?
Premiere can, I'm not sure about FCPX. But even then, you can't be sure that the colors and exposure you're seeing are accurate, and neither Premiere nor FCPX will adjust the frame rate or resolution to match the timeline, so some scaling and/or frame rate conversion is likely, giving you an altered perspective of what is actually happening in your project.
@@djp_video Ahhh, makes sense. Thank you!!!!
Hello Friend how are you? I have a mac pro 2013 with TB2 ports, can you connect UltraStudio Monitor 3G with the apple TB2 to TB3 adapter but to a DOCK TB3 that has power supply? have you tried it? Thanks a lot
Great video! Want to ask.. i use a macbook pro m1 and i use a docking station.. do i need to put the monitor 3G before the Signal goes to the dockingstation?
The UltraStudio uses Thunderbolt, so if you use a docking station it has to have a Thunderbolt port you can plug into. The UltraStudio doesn’t have a pass through or downstream port for another device
10:40 thanks this solved my issue of a blank screen. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the video. I am wondering how to avoid image cropping when working on a 4k timeline outputting to a 4k monitor. I can’t find a way for the image NOT to be cropped in.
That's software dependent. But in most cases the software doesn't let you choose a specific output resolution.
In either case, though, the UltraStudio Monitor 3G doesn't output 4K, so the image either has to be scaled or cropped. If you want to output in 4K you should step up to the UltraStudio Mini 4K.
Thank you for all the info. I have a macbook pro with two external monitors, would I need two of these playback device?
You only need this device for outputting video from specific software applications, like video editors and some playback applications. They allow you to bypass the regular video outputs of your computer for an accurate representation of video you're editing. They are completely independent and separate of your HDMI/DP/VGA/etc. video outputs and the two have nothing to do with one another.
@@djp_video I appreciate it! How is it different if I just use clean feed on resolve?
As mentioned in the video -- it is output at the correct resolution, frame rate in the proper color space, often at a higher bit depth, synchronized properly, without any of the processing that normally accompanies using an HDMI or similar output on a computer, like color space conversions, resizing/stretching, frame rate conversion, tearing, etc. It's a pure representation of the signal rather than a rough approximation of it.
@@djp_video much appreciated. Super helpful! Looking forward to learning more from you.
Hi Doug, grt video. In my premier pro 2021 this card is not reflect in device control or playback could you please help me out.
Does your device show up in Blackmagic Design Media Express? You might need to re-install the drivers. And if you're on a Mac, be very careful to follow the installation instructions exactly, down to the letter.
Very informative video. Does HDMI out from this device carry audio signals that can be fed into an audio interface or AV receiver for let's say a surround?
If the playback software is set to output audio through the UltraStudio, yes.
Thanks for your in depth look into this. 3 Questions please:
Q1: Can the Monitor 3G be used to send a M1 Mac mini output e.g. propresenter into an atem device (i.e. Atem 2 M/E production 4k or any atem switcher)?
Q2: Can the Recorder 3G be used for the vice versa send and atems program feed into a Mac and sent into zoom (as a webcam)?
Q3: Could this act as a cheaper alternative to the decimator md-hx?
A1: If the software you're using supports Blackmagic Design outputs. I believe that ProPresenter does.
A2: No. It is an output-only device. You could get the UltraStudio Mini Recorder if you need video input. Or the UltraStudio Mini HD if you want both input and output in a single device.
A3: No. They are different types of devices. The UltraStudio products are video output/inputs, and the Decimator MD-HX is a video format converter (SDI/HDMI).
Thanks great video. do i need a specific type of HDMi cable (ie 1.4 or 2.0) to output from the UltraStudio Monitor 3G to the external monitor?
Nothing special. The standard HDMI cable you'd use for a TV will work just fine.
@@djp_video thank you for responding Doug!
Does this work with Samsung Note10 USB-C cable or the USB-C charging cable for MacBook ?
Or is an apple USB-C Thunderbolt cable required ?
In requires Thunderbolt. It doesn’t work with USB.
Thanks! Worked great...
Still don't understand or the reason to use this on a macbook, qhen you connect an external monitor you can go to settings and screens and select the color profile for that external monitor, also for when you are editing lets say at 24fps timeline you can tell osx to put the screen and work on 24 fps. So i dont se much point of this device, maybe the SDI output? Or to replicate a signal for various monitors beyond the limitations of outputs and external monitor capabilities of the macbook (or computer), but then is kinda expensive for that purpose no? For example Atomos monitors (an many others) already have Hdmi in and hdmi out to duplicate the signal to another monitor. Also for video playback without rendering, to show the edited video in full screen in davinci resolve for example you just set your 2nd monitor as "clean feed" and it will show full screen video on that monitor. Can some one explain what im not getting?
@@fusionmayafilms You can’t ever trust the colors and signal levels coming out of a regular monitor output, especially with calibration. There are too many ways that the signal can be tweaked in that signal chain to ever be able to be sure that what you’re seeing is correct. Calibration, particularly with affordable devices, just makes the situation worse by giving you an even less accurate output which is trying to compensate (and failing at it, I might add) for shortcomings of the attached monitor.
The only way to be sure that you’re seeing an accurate representation of a signal is to get all of the processing out of the signal chain entirely and use a properly calibrated monitor. The regular HDMI/DisplayPort outputs always pass through internal signal processing that you can’t turn off. MacOS is actually a far worse offender than Windows as most of it happens whether you like it or not. This includes (but isn’t limited to) SDR/HDR compensation, an arbitrary LUT selection and application based on the color space of the video source, desktop settings, monitor EDID data and which monitor is attached, built-in scaler, and frame rate conversion. There is nothing you can do as a consumer to turn all of those off (or even compensate for them), and each one of them gets the signal farther and farther away from the original data. They’re trying (and failing, by the way, particularly if you’re using an affordable calibration device) to compensate for limitations of your display and are removing image data in every step of the process. It’s like using an equalizer to try to fix the sound on crappy speakers… it will never get you to an accurate representation of an audio signal, as there are other issues besides frequency response that affect the sound like timing, imaging, phase relationships just to name a few.
To get an accurate picture, you have to start with a clean, perfect copy of the image data, and that just isn’t possible if that signal is being passed through the operating system. And then use a quality monitor. And if you’re balking at the cost of this device, you certainly aren’t buying monitors that are even in the ballpark of accurate display, even with a professional calibration.
Trying to use calibration software to get an accurate display output is like trying to take a video that someone has shot by pointing their phone at a television and manipulating it to make it look and sound as good as the original. It just can’t be done, and the harder you try, the farther and farther it gets from representing the original source.
Hello and thanks for the video . Can I use it with any other player other then final cut or premiere?
There are a handful of other applications that work with it, like OBS for example. But you'll have to check the product's documentation to know for sure.
hi! thanks for the video, does this device supports a "Decklink" output from a Mac? ... you know that you can use the decklink cards to send a video output there, does this device works the same way if we want to use it for that?
The UltraStudio products are basically the same as DeckLink cards, just using Thunderbolt rather than being internal. Software which supports DeckLinks will work with the UltraStudios as well.
@@djp_video perfect, thank you!
This was the info I needed! A couple questions: Given a setup with a Mac Mini M1, where a thunderbolt port is in use for a standard computer monitor, and the HDMI port is feeding a projector (for example), will this device allow a third video output, despite Apple saying the internal graphics system only supports up to two monitors? (I think in actual practice I'd be using this device to feed our projector, given the SDI output, but the question remains, can I have HDMI output, a thunderbolt monitor output, and a third output using this device?)
No, it does not.
Very well explained. Thanks.
Hi Doug, great video! I am using a HP PC that has usb c, is there any kind of adaptor that I can use to connect my PC to my Mini Monitor or do you know of any other convertor I can use that doesn't require a thunderbolt port? Thank you!
The Mini Monitor requires Thunderbolt. It won’t work with USB-C ports that don’t have Thunderbolt capability. And there’s no way to convert USB to Thunderbolt.
Hi Doug, thanks for Your great and smart videos!!
You mentioned, that the device talks right to the software.
Does that mean, that it does in a way take work from the graphic-card, compared to - say - a usb-c-to-HDMI-Dongle?
Correct. It doesn’t use your graphics card at all
@@djp_video
Okay, that‘s really good to know and makes it really interesting.
Thanks a lot!
Hello Doug. Big fan of your channel! I have a BMCC camera with a faulty SDI output and it would cost an arm and a leg to fix + the official service said: "we no longer repair this camera as we do not have most of the parts available for it".... My question is - is it possible to connect the BMCC via its thunderbolt output into this ultraStudio monitor (but the old version, not USBc lookalike connector) and then HDMI output to an Atem mini Extreme in order to see a video signal?
Unfortunately, no. That wouldn’t work.
What if you want fullscreen playback of the timeline only - not the actual computer screen?
That's exactly what the UltraStudio Monitor is for.
Great video thanks. Never knew that my Ben Q editing monitor could be getting weird video from my ASUS Duo Laptop using the video out.
Using this device does my MacBook Pro 16 2019 still get hot and unusable when plug into external monitor? Thanks
That depends on the software you’re using with it. It isn’t a function of the UltraStudio itself.
@@djp_video Thank. you :). Yes I understand.
Will PowerPoint be able to send slideshow if I connect the Mac Studio M1 Max with ATEM 1/ME via the Ultrastudio 3g Monitor?
No. PowerPoint doesn’t support the Blackmagic output devices.
Hi Doug! Very helping video. I have a question about thunderbolt 2. I need to connect to the Ultrastudio thunderbolt 3 a MacBook Pro mid12 that has only a thunderbolt 2 and you said that a thunderbolt 2 dock is what I need. Can I ask you to tell me what dock do you use or what docks you suggest to avoid any troubles? Thank you so much for every video you make. Really appreciate your help!
The one I have and know to work isn't sold any longer. But this one ( amzn.to/36Z6g7c ) seems to be its replacement. On top of that you'll need one of Apple's Thunderbolt 3-to-2 adapters (which is bidirectional, FYI).
@@djp_video Hi! Thanks for your answer... unfortunately I'm confused XD I already have a thunderbolt 2 thunderbolt 3 adapter, I assumed it didn't work 'cause there no electricity plugged in like a dock. Now, the link show me a dock that hasn't a thunderbolt 2 input. So I think you mean that I need this configuration to work: MacBook Pro>thunderbolt2 cable>thun2thun3 adapter> dock>Ultrastudio Recorder. If this is right...is there an economic solution? I can search myself! I just want to know if it exists and if my mind is right. Thank you again!
Unfortunately, because the Apple adapter doesn't supply power you have to find another way to inject power into the Thunderbolt signal chain. The only way I know of doing that is a powered Thunderbolt dock. So it does become expensive.
Have you considered just using the older version of the UltraStudio Mini Monitor that is Thunderbolt 2-based instead?
@@djp_video yes, it was my second option. But it seems to be not easy to find or at the same price (including expedition) of a dock. I hope I'll figure it out. Thank you again!
Any recommendations for no-frills video playback software over the UltraStudio Monitor on Windows and Mac?
There are a number of options. ProPresenter is the one I hear people talk about the most.
@@djp_video Thanks. Can the UltraStudio Monitor 3G work as a secondary display with an extended Windows 10 desktop?
@@QuicksilverSG No. It's for video output from editing applications only.
Hey Doug, quick question - Will both the HDMI and SDI ports output work at the same time if both are plugged in?
I'm planning a signal flow something like this...
MBPro -> BMD UltraStudio Monitor 3G -> HDMI to Projector AND SDI to another monitor/video router
Yes. They do.
Hi Doug
Very informative video! I am looking at getting one to use as a confidence monitor in vMix (because I have exceeded monitor outputs on Graphics Card) but have heard this device can add high latency. Has this been your experience?
Not at all. Quite to the contrary. It's entirely possible that vMix might be adding a bunch of latency. I haven't used it to check.
Great video thank you, so I own a PC with USB c port can I buy USB C to thunderbolt and power it that way?
No. Thunderbolt can’t be added to a computer that doesn’t already have it. There’s no way to convert anything else to Thunderbolt.
It’s unfortunate that the creators of Thunderbolt chose to use the same connector as USB. It has created a ton of confusion.
Hi Doug, how it works with 4k monitors? Does the 3G scale up 2k signal to 4k full window or display only small window on 4k monitor? Ultrastudio 4k mini would be better for me but the price killing me. Thanks.
The HDMI output is always HD (or SD). It doesn’t scale to UHD/4K. Most UHD displays will scale for you, though.
@@djp_video Thank you! 👍
Hi Doug! I run davinci resolve and a calibrated Eizo monitor which is supposed to store the calibration LUT inside the monitor. When I use the ultrastudio 3G I get deeper blacks and a nicer image than when I don't and use the clean feed feature of Resolve. Why do I get deeper blacks with that 3G device? Doesn't make sense to me ^^
Many thanks!
The UltraStudio would be giving you a more accurate output that isn’t going through the processing or calibration of a graphics card, so long as the color space is set correctly in Desktop Video Setup
@@djp_video Thank you!
Hey Doug, thanks for your video. Really answered a lot of my questions.
Btw, i have macbook air m1 with 8gb ram, if i use this device, will it also help FCPX with rendering effect or transition? Because sometimes, even when using proxy, FCPX use too much ram for my laptop and used ssd for swap memory and i heard it not good in the long run. Thanks
No. It only provides a video output. It doesn’t have any processing or encoding capabilities.
@@djp_video Thank you doug.
nice explaination thanks..... i have one thing to ask hope u will reply my comment if i connect ultrastudio recorder 3g to computer/laptop can i see live in davinci resolve software as live timeline.....if so can we do live color grade with that image signal...
There is a way to do this in Resolve, but it is limited in its capability, and there is a pretty significant signal delay. I believe the feature is called Live Color.
@@djp_video can you please make a review about this if possible....thanks it may help for others
It has been on my list of videos to create for some time. I just haven't gotten to it quite yet.
@@djp_video thanks i will be the first view if video comes out😄🙂
Hi I do production on a Mac Mini M1 and there is a limitation on the number of monitors, being two. Can I use this device as a workaround to output video while maintaining my two other monitors for software? Thanks
It doesn't count as a monitor in macOS, but you also can't use it for a desktop display... it only works for video playback from supported software like Premiere, Final Cut, Resolve, After Effects. But on the flip side, with this plugged in you can still add a second monitor to your Mac.
@@djp_video Thanks So much for your anser. Now I need to see if this wil be compatible with my DAW which is Reaper. I know it is compatible with ProTools and Cubase... Lets see..
Ok. So I use a MacBook Pro and I currently have a BenQSW270C monitor hooked into it via the USBC port. I’ve had minor nagging issues of gamma shifts once rendering. Folks on the Davinci Resolve groups have said I need something like this. So can I just hook this in like this: MacBook >ultra studio (via thunderbolt)>monitor (via hdmi)?
Is this setup acceptable for color grading and getting a good end result?
That’s exactly what it is designed for.
Can I use this with ProTools for my ADR monitoring
Yes
Do you know if it works with M1 MacBook Pro? How does it work with effects like noise reduction in Davinci Resolve? Thank you !!
It does work, but setting it up in macOS 11 isn’t fun. It requires several reboots and following some very specific instructions from BMD to get it going.
It has no impact on rendering performance. It only gives you a dedicated output from video editing applications. Think of it more like another video output port than a video card.
Stay tuned to the channel for a video I’m working on with regard to performance of the M1 processor for video applications.
@@djp_video thanks for your time!! Lots of useful information!
Hi Doug, i want to ask you if this UltraStudio Monitor 3G work fine with the news Macs who come whith thunderbolt 4. there is no problem between thunderbolt 3 and 4?
They will work just fine. But getting them setup is a bit of a trick. You have to follow Blackmagic's included instructions exactly.
@@djp_video thank u very much Sir!!
@@djp_video Hi Sir!!, I bought the ultra studio monitor, but i dont know, i use davinci resolve, and work whit some projects a other dont work, my monitor is 2.5K so somebody told me that i have to use the "VIDEO MONITORING" video format HD 1080PsF25. and work with some projects but other projects nothing. i dont know if i have to use Output scaling too???.. (all my projects are on 1080). I been grateful if you can help me with that. Sorry for my english Sir!!
Hi. As most of the colourist use 2k and above monitors. Every-time the colourist works on a 2k and above timeline in resolve, the image get zoomed in the monitor while using this device ? If that is the case then we have to buy ultra-studio 4k which costs more than the benq 4k monitor. Is there any alternative solution for this?
That depends on the software and its settings. In Resolve, for example, you can change the output resolution in the settings.
Very helpful video. Thank you for that!
A question for you, if you've got the time: I now have one of these and am using it with Avid Media Composer to feed a full time client monitor. My project and timeline are 1080 24p. It works fine with an LG TV, buttering to use it with a 27" Dell monitor I get a message that it's unsupported and to switch to 60 hz. If I try switching it in the BlackMagic settings I still get the error and it stops working correctly on the LG TV (picture goes very blue).
Do I need a specific type of monitor - that will accept the 1080 24p signal - for this to work correctly?
Thank you for any insights!
Computer monitors aren't generally designed to accept a wide variety of input signal types. It isn't uncommon to only see 60p supported, though 30p is also pretty common. 24p and 1080i are particularly problematic.
If you need to go with a computer monitor, I'd steer you toward the higher-end models. Or consider going with a 4K monitor. The LG and Dell 4K monitors I've tried all support 24p and 1080i as well (though the Dells don't let me disable overscan in 1080i). The Samsungs I've tried are much less flexible, with 1080i not being supported.
For the widest variety of support for different input formats, televisions tend to be much more flexible.
Thank you so much for your reply, Doug!
Is there a TV you would recommend? I am looking for something on the smaller side, closer to 27" - I am trying to fit it into a limited workstation space with two 27" monitors.
Or if I went the 4K computer monitor route, which LG would you recommend? Sounds like the LGs are the most flexible...
Picked up an LG Ergo monitor and it’s working very well. Thanks again!
Thanks Doug. Would this work for Lower Thirds via After Effects or Vmix for video files and Lower Thirds playback? Cheers, Aaron
Yes. But in the case of After Effects, you'd probably want to pre-render the files so they play at full frame rate.
Hey Doug, thanks for the in depth explanation inside this video. The explanation really gave me a rough understanding of the device. I'm still a somewhat-beginner to this world and still figuring out all of the technical bits in creating my setup, so i'm still a little bit lost as to essentially how this device really works and how i could use it for my purposes specifically. I mainly do editing and color grading work on a pretty old Macbook Pro. The main issue i've been dealing with is playing back my footage (whether on the Final Cut/Resolve) onto an external monitor via HDMI output, where the footage is often laggy or choppy. I was wondering whether this is an issue of the GPU being overworked due to the processing for the editing/color grading work and not enough for also displaying onto the external monitor, especially it being a pretty old laptop? And to sum up in context towards this video, would using this UltraStudio Monitor 3G help me solve this problem? (Because i read in other comments that this would, in a way, take some of the workload off of my GPU)
You probably wouldn’t see any improvement in performance using the UltraStudio products.
@@djp_video Thankyou for your quick reply. I would like to further ask if that's okay with you. Why wouldn't i see any improvement in performance? Wouldn't the UltraStudio Monitor 3G theoretically help take up some of the workload of the GPU so that, in basic words, give more space for the GPU to process the effects/rendering/etc? Cheers
@@xacck7203 The UltraStudio is just an output. It isn’t doing any processing or rendering of the video signal.
@@djp_video Thanks for the reply! Really helped a lot, Doug
Do you think that may be something I can use to export a separate output from “ProPresenter 7” for lower thirds or graphics different from what is showing my Aux output from Atem Tv Studio HD for IMAG. Thanks for your time to respond.
If ProPresenter supports Blackmagic playback cards then yes this should work
It does 👍🏻
Hey if buy this device how it gonna work with my Benq PD2700Q 27 monitor , montor is natively 2560x1440 . Thanks
The monitor will scale the video for you
Hey! Have you tried it? I am thinking getting a 4K monitor and BMD UltraStudio Monitor 3G . Is it scaling it up correcty or do i have to get a HD monitor?
@@georgeziak4483 yes all good
I bought the apple thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adapter about 2 months ago and have been trying desperately to make it work with my brand new desktop computer (right now there isnt a discreet gpu yet. currently running intel UHD770). I own a ultra studio mini monitor (non 3g) that i have been using for many years with my macbook pro.
I found this video after a whole month of googling and reading up on why my ultrastudio isnt working. I almost gave up trying to fix it and thought of buying a brand new blackmagic card. This video is the only other place on the internet that explicitly says that the APPLE ADAPTERS DO NOT TRANSMIT POWER. I feel like I have been cheated by apple. They should mention this on their website.
Anyway, can someone please tell me which other thunderbolt adapter I can get to make this work.
Is your desktop computer a Mac? The Apple adapters only work with Mac computers. And as you noticed, they do not transmit power. You can insert a Thunderbolt hub/dock in the signal chain to provide power for devices that require it.
You'll be better off just getting a newer UltraStudio Mini Monitor than to try to continue to add adapters to make the older model work. I've used the StarTech adapter and it did work, but it costs nearly as much as the newer UltraStudio (amzn.to/3KV2KMB).
@djp_video thank you so much for the quick reply. I think I will resort to buying a deck link 4k card. My workstation desktop is a windows machine.
Your channel is great. I have subscribed!
Hi Doug, thanks for that video. Im wondering about what profile should i select on my external playback monitor if i cant have rec 709 on it ?
Rec709 is the standard color space for HD video. If your device works with HD video it should support 709.
@@djp_video Ok thanks but how i can i be sure i got the good color profile on my monitor ? I calibrate it with a spyder today and while i use the ultrastudio 3g it seems pink to me. I use it on prermier
@@martinmorissette1238 The Spyder calibration devices are terrible. You won’t get the same results twice. Don’t trust it. You’re better off without it. Also, that calibration won’t help if you are using an UltraStudio or similar device.
@@djp_video Ok thanks, so i should just reset my monitor and go with the preset.
Hey Doug! Can't remember if I asked you this already but this video made me think of the question again... I still have no answer. I wanted to purchase a BenQ PD2700U DesignVue monitor for my multi-view from my ATEM Mini Extreme. I am using various cameras and thought that monitor could help me with getting the colors matched. I was GIVEN a beautiful DELL 27" Monitor and thought GREAT!!! But it had THUNDERBOLT inputs ONLY... Is there any device that can go HDMI to THUNDERBOLT? I looked at Micro Center and B&H, No luck... I'll call the DVE store later but If you know of a hack, please let me know.
I'm not aware of any converters that will go in that direction. They might exist but I've never seen one.
@@djp_video Well I'm pretty sure if YOU have not seen it, It does not exist. I'm talking to a few custom cable companies to see if it can be done and not TOO expensive. And Correction the Monitor I was given is a LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B 27" 16:9 5K IPS Monitor. THANKS AGAIN!!!
What thunderbolt dock are you using?
At the time I made this video, it was amzn.to/3TgEneV
can you use it as strong repeater for video signal from laptop to my monitor and atem. if this can't then what can do that without reducing the resolution or quality. Is there some thing that can do it with software rather just plug and play setup
It's used for providing a clean video output from video editing software like Premiere, Resolve, After Effects, or Final Cut. It will not display your desktop.
@@djp_video thanks for replying. Can pls clarify me on what should use for capturing display out with audio from one computer to another with compromising the quality?
The UltraStudio Mini Recorder 3G product will do that.
@@djp_video would it require a software to use or it plug and play setup?
A driver is required.
Hi Doug!! Can this ultra studio monitor be used to output Wirecast to Web Presenter HD and encode from it?
I believe so
Hi, do I need the black Magic ultrastudio 4k for color correction on a Oled Lg TV ? Please let me know. Thanks
No. It sounds like you're looking for calibration. Most LG OLED TVs support calibration internally. You can have someone come and do that for you, but out of the box they're pretty accurate when placed in the right mode.
@@djp_video Hi Doug, I recently purchased this and use it thru Davinci Resolve. I have a 4k laptop going thru this to an LG OLED 4k TV but the picture on the TV is zoomed in. Is there a way to change the aspect ratio to get this to work?
@@thelewij7 Resolve, unfortunately, won't scale the output -- it just crops in on the center when you have a 1080p output on a 4K timeline. So you'll need to change the format of your timeline to 1080p, or switch to the UltraStudio Mini 4K.
@@djp_video Seriously, I asked Blackmagic and BH Photo and both gave some long obscure answer that didn't work. Thanks for the help and your videos are great.
the question for me is, how do I stream my reference monitor, that is connected via Monitor 3G to my mac studio, via Zoom?
You can't, at least not without making some changes. You could add a capture care to capture the output of the Monitor 3G, or use a regular HDMI/USB-C/DVI/Thunderbolt monitor while you need to share.
@@djp_video what do i use to capture? the Recorder 3G?
@denniskaspari That’s certainly a very viable option
@@djp_video I tried that, but in Zoom my monitor doesnt show up. Can you tell me how to set it up properly?
Hi Doug, a bit late in the day for a fresh query. I use a Macbook Air to display a FHD video output to Various projectors. I have been using a simple and inexpensive dongle for USBC to HDMI. What I have experienced is that this works fine with some projectors (possibly recent models) but not with others. The problems I have encountered are frame flashing, intermittent blackouts for a second, and just plain simple not recognising the video output.
Interesting to note, I use the USBC output through the dongle to a large monitor and that works fine. So is there something different about projectors that could cause the issues and would this dongle solve that?
Is the Mac you're using one of the newer M1/M2 models? They've been really problematic with HDMI outputs. It's been a real headache for a lot of people.
You could try running through some kind of converter to regenerate the signals. A bi-directional Micro Converter from Blackmagic Design might to do the trick. Some USB-C to HDMI converters work better than others too.
@@djp_video Yes it's the M1 Air. I will look into the micro's you mention. Thank you for the quick reply as well!!
I spent a good portion of the weekend researching HDMI issues with Macs. What a mess it is. I plan on doing a video sometime about what I've found. But the bottom line is that the only way I was able to get an HDMI output from an M1/M2-based computer into a HyperDeck or ATEM switcher, Decimator, or other converter was to use an HDMI splitter, connecting both a real video monitor to one output and the other device to the second output. And even then it only works on specific models of splitters. I'm using one from OREI and it is working pretty consistently.
Hi Doug, I’ve rewatched your video hoping to find an answer to my question. I have the ultrastudio3G in one monitor and the other with davinci Resolve open. But when you look at the images, they are different in contrast and saturation. Any thoughts on why this is happening?
They're going through different processing. Unless your monitors are both calibrated and you've taken the time to color manage your computer I'd be shocked if the images weren't different.
But I'd trust the output of the UltraStudio far more than I would a native output from the computer itself. There's simply no way to know that the video output on your computer is anywhere close to accurate. That's one of the reasons for an UltraStudio or similar device -- to get all of the image processing being done by the GPU out of the equation to give you a better chance of seeing an accurate image.
@@djp_video thanks so much for quick reply! What your saying is that, as I color correct my images, my eyes are on the monitor with the ultrastudio rather than what’s on timeline.
I actually did that for one of my projects, when exported, picture it was totally different.
Looking into this as a solution to offload some processing from my CPU while working in AVID ProTools. Have you noticed a reduction in CPU usage when using this as your clean feed out? You may not be a Pro Tools user, but I’m curious to see if there is a reduction in CPU usage even in DaVinci/Premier etc. Thanks for any help! I just ordered one to test for myself, but I wanted to get your input as well.
This is just an output device. It doesn't have any processing in it. What you need is a GPU if you want to accelerate editing/rendering.
@@djp_video Yes! I’ve just upgraded my current rig with an external GPU (Sonnet 750ex with AMD rx6600xt card in it) and it’s been great running my 3 monitors and has significantly smoothed out my playback and edit experience in DaVinci, but within Pro Tools, I’m still seeing some pretty heavy CPU utilization and seemingly very little GPU utilization (based on my MBP GPU history) when doing mixes/SFX design to picture. What I’m wondering is if I offload the video output to be managed by this box, if it will free up some CPU usage by ProTools.
No. If anything, CPU usage will go up a little as the video is prepared for the UltraStudio.
Not all effects in an editor will be accelerated by a GPU. There are still some things that are CPU bound. In that case the best you can do is a CPU with more cores, and/or higher speed cores. Being that you're using a laptop you might already be at the limit of what your computer can achieve.
@@djp_video Thanks for the info! I see your point. I’ll report back with my findings once I’m able to do an actual test with the hardware. Thanks again!
@@suspendedsound Hi Andy, I'm in a similar scenario myself. Would like to integrate a 3rd monitor for video only. I have an external GPU and like you saw very limited gains. Was eyeing up the 3G also hoping it might lower cpu/gpu/latency strain, and have a rock solid frame perfect picture to work to with Pro Tools. Did you get anywhere on this quest?
What do you use to send a "second monitor" feed to your switcher to playback videos from a laptop? HDMI to SDI then SDI to the switcher?
I use the device discussed in this video, or another UltraStudio product, or a DeckLink card. All of which have SDI outputs which go to the switcher.
@@djp_video ah ok, so the (dont know what happened there) UltraStudio Monitor 3G acts as a second display. You dont NEED to use premier to playback a video clip.
It isn't a regular display in Windows. It can only be used with software that explicitly supports it, like Premiere, Resolve, CasparCG, vMix to name a few.
@@djp_video Ah ok! Now I understand! Thank you! \(^__^)/
Gracias!!!
Can this device be used to show different content on each output?
No. The two outputs always mirror one another.
Does the audio pass through this device as well, or just video?
It's capable of outputting audio. You just have to configure the software appropriately.
hello doug , i am using a mac mini m2 , does it compatible with it ?
Yes.
I have an older UltraStudio Mini Monitor that was gifted to me. I´m looking to use it with my first monitor for color grading that is an Eizo at QHD. I was told this mini monitor is good for HD, but unsure if it will cover QHD. Further, I thought these (are they "mini monitors"?) came in HD to 4K, but see only one the 3G version on Black Magic. Very confused. Can you help? Thanks kindly
These are HD only. In the case of the 3G model it will do up to 1080p at 60 frames per second. The older, non-3G version, only does 1080p at up to 30 fps.
If you need UHD support you'd need a different product like the UltraStudio 4K Mini. None of these will support QHD, as that resolution isn't used for video.
@@djp_video I’m currently over my head thanks for your patience. Does this mean that it would only display HD or would not function at all? And in order to see 2k with the QHD you need the 4K mini monitor? With the price of the 4K mini monitor, in that case I’d probably be better off finding an hd monitor
The behavior depends on what software you're using. Resolve, for example, will let you pick what resolution it sends to the UltraStudio. Premiere, on the other hand, will send the highest resolution available. But in any case, the monitor you connect needs to be able to handle whatever resolution and frame rate is output by the UltraStudio or you won't get an image. For example, UHD (4K) monitors basically always can handle HD (2K) footage, but the reverse usually isn't true.
What you see on your monitor will be based on the lowest common denominator of what the UltraStudio and software are capable of, as long as your monitor can handle that signal type.
Using a QHD monitor isn't really ideal for editing either HD or QHD because in both cases the image has to be stretched. You're best bet is to use a monitor of the same resolution as the signal you're editing, or some integer multiplier of the horizontal and vertical resolutions. So if you're editing 1920x1080 HD, it will look best on a monitor with a native resolution of 1920x1080, but it would work pretty well on a monitor with 3840x2160 resolution because those numbers are exactly double and scaling is easy to do. QHD falls in the middle -- 2560x1440 -- so the monitor takes groups of 3 pixels from the source and stretches them (unevenly) over 4 pixels on the screen in each direction, resulting in visible softening of the image.
As a general rule, HD computer monitors will usually only display HD resolutions in exactly 50 or 60 frames per second (depending on your region of the world). High-end HD monitors can sometimes also handle 24, 25, or 30 frames per second, or 1080i footage, or sometimes 2K, but support for those is uncommon.
UHD monitors can usually handle HD/2K/UHD/4K signals at 24, 25, 30, 50, or 60 frames per second. They are a lot more flexible.
Consumer televisions usually handle all common frame rates. HD models can handle HD but not UHD, where UHD TVs can handle HD or UHD. Support for the DCI 2K/4K resolutions is hit and miss.
As for what your monitor supports, you'll need to check the owner's manual.
@@djp_video many kind thanks for these details. I’m using Resolve. Very good to know about the multiplying of resolutions. It’s interesting bc a a popular RUclips colorist recommends the Eizo Color edge that is QHD…feeling thoroughly mystified about how one makes the right decision
@@milquetoes hey! Have you tried the BMD UltraStudio Monitor 3G with a 4k monitor? Is it scaling up correctly or you need a HD monitor?
Hi, if i want to do HDR grading will this device be enough for that. Thanks
Kind of. Since it's limited to 1080p you won't get 4K.
@@djp_video Thanks for the reply. Another thing, ultra studio monitor 3g supports thunderbolt 3 and macbook pro is thunderbolt 4, do i need to buy any additional hardware/wire/adapter to get it connected to my macbook pro other than thunderbolt 3 wire.
No. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are fully compatible with one another.
@@djp_video Oh thanks a lot.
Hi there Doug, so my church runs pro presenter for its services. We are moving from windows to mac. Mac mini M2 Pro actuality, we run a 4k projector, a 1080 projector, a 27 inch monitor and a 19 inch monitor, i can run 2 of these from the hdmi and usb ports but in need 2 more, can i run 2 seprate ultra studio monitor 3g side by side from my thunderbolt4 ports
You should be able to run as many of these as you have Thunderbolt ports to plug them into. Your Mac Mini has 2 Thunderbolt ports so you can run a total of 2 Thunderbolt devices (like the UltraStudios) without getting a Thunderbolt hub/dock.
These do not work in USB ports. And I would refrain from running video over USB A ports -- it's horribly inefficient and slows down your computer noticeably. And high-motion sources like video can drop frames. Video over USB is a hack which emulates a GPU in software and it performs poorly.
With your intended configuration I'd steer you away from Mac Minis. A Mac Studio can work, but you'd be pushing the Mac Mini to its limits and likely not have a good experience. Mac Minis can really only properly output to two displays: one over HDMI and a second over one of the USB-C (Thunderbolt) ports, which it sounds like you'd be using for a UltraStudios, leaving you with just a single video output for your desktop. The base Mac Studio has four Thunderbolt/USB-C ports and can output to four displays.
Hi,Sir. I bought a ultrasound recorder 3G, and tried to connect to my laptop lenovo y540”,
but I couldn’t. it was not detected. I used thunderbolt 3 cable with Blackmagic Converter Setup ..but it shows FIX USB -C Problems in windows...plz solve my issue
It doesn't look like that model has a Thunderbolt port. The UltraStudio is a Thunderbolt device and only works when connected to a Thunderbolt port. It's confusing, because Thunderbolt uses a USB-C connector, but USB-C isn't Thunderbolt.
@@djp_video i'm using usb -c to usb -c
Right. But The UltraStudio isn't a USB-C device. It's a Thunderbolt device. They use the same connector and Thunderbolt cables can be used for USB-C, but they are different types of connections. If your laptop doesn't support Thunderbolt there is nothing you can do to make the UltraStudio work. Thunderbolt is required.
@@djp_video Black magic Thunderbolt 3 Cable to laptop input Thunderbolt using
laptop works at thunderbolt 3 device...but black magic device not connected
In a house of worship setting, I’m wanting to come out of lightning on Mac mini and send SDI to a monitor, which will be converted to HDMI. Instead of spending the money on a chassis and deck link card, would this work?
If you are running HD and not 4K, yes.
@@djp_video excellent. I was hoping my presentation software would recognize this as an additional available output. Thanks so much!
That depends on what software you're using. It would have to support a Blackmagic DeckLink/UltraStudio output. Applications like KeyNote/PowerPoint do not.
@@djp_video if it functions like a deck link, that’s definitely supported as its one of their main recommendations. I just don’t need a duo 2 with that many ins/outs for that price :)
Hey doug.. you might be able to help me out here..im at a dead end..i need to make a temporary video matrix installation for a corporate event...i need to build (client specific tech requirements) an 15 video screen matrix wall in a 5wide x 3high config...have you come across a matrix splitter where this is possible. Wpuld be nice if i could do HDMI and SDI connection
That's a bit outside of my area of expertise. I wish I could help.
I would mention that The UltraStudio Monitor 3G HDMI won't support 4K resolution
HDMI in general absolutely supports 4K. But there might be some devices that don’t. And this device doesn’t support 4K at all.
Can you output hdr video from your laptop?
Theoretically this should be able to. But I haven't tested it.
One thing that would be odd though is doing HDR at just 1080p. It's technically allowed, but almost all instances of HDR are done at UHD resolutions.
Can I connect to a TB3 hub?
Yes.
Be aware of bandwidth requirements. The UltraStudio Monitor 3G doesn't necessarily require a lot of data (a little over 3 Gbps max), but if you have a high bandwidth device connected to the same Thunderbolt port on your computer (like a monitor), the two (or more) devices will share that available bandwidth. So if you were outputting video via the UltraStudio and have a monitor connected while writing big files to a fast SSD, all on the same Thunderbolt port at the same time, it's potentially possible to saturate that connection and experience slowdowns or even dropped frames.
@@djp_video Thanks for the quick reply. Here's my situation.... Currently we output to two TVs at our church via ProPresenter using a 27" Intel iMac. Although I've been able to connect a third TV/monitor to the iMac the connection is unstable as I believe the imac has a 2 display output limit. We recently acquired 2 large TV/Wall displays that I also want to connect to the iMac/ProPresenter so I can control output from one computer. I looked into getting a PCIe DeckLink Duo 2 card and enclosure which will allow me to playback to all 4 displays no problem, but it will also require several HDMI to SDI converters plus SDI cabling, etc. I just discovered the UltraStudio Monitor and was going to see if I can connect 4 units (1 for each output display) to a 4 port TB3 dock, which then gets connected to the iMac via a single TB3 cable. I believe ProPresenter will see all 4 displays as separate devices, but hoping there are no bandwidth issues. NOTE: I don't plan to connect any other device(s) to the TB3 dock other than the (4) UltraStudio Monitors.
The limitation with bandwith is actually per Thunderbolt controller, not per-port. So if your iMac only has one controller driving all of its Thunderbolt ports, you still have a total of less than 40 Gbps limit for all devices. I don't know the internals on the iMacs, but you can more or less guarantee that there any controller is connected to more than one Thunderbolt port.
The UltraStudio Monitor is going to have the same bandwidth limitations as a DeckLink card. I have run 7 1080p29.97 outputs on a single Thunderbolt port on my M1 Mac Mini, but it doesn't seem to like it that much. And that's with no other devices connected to the Thunderbolt bus.
Someone somewhere on the Internet has probably figured out how the Thunderbolt controller(s) on your iMac are connected to the Thunderbolt ports. That might help you in deciding whether you can pull this off or not.
Thunderbolt Monitors take up a lot of the available bandwidth, FYI. If your model of iMac has an HDMI port, you should use it. Also, connecting an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor directly to a Thunderbolt port (i.e. not through a hub or other Thunderbolt device) using a simple passive cable should not use any Thunderbolt bandwidth per se, as that puts that port into USB-C Alt mode rather than using the Thunderbolt controller. Allegedly.
It's all overly complicated and very confusing.
And, for what it's worth, every type of device connected to a Thunderbolt dock uses Thunderbolt bandwidth, as that data has to travel over Thunderbolt to get between the computer and dock. That's different behavior than an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor connected directly to a USB-C port on the computer.
One more note... as far as I can tell, no iMac has multiple Thunderbolt controllers. So your total combined Thunderbolt bandwidth for all ports is going to be less than 40 Gbps.