Product Highlights
- 12G-SDI fill and key outputs for live broadcast graphics keying
- HDMI 2.0 output with Deep Color, up to 2160p60 Ultra HD
- Thunderbolt 4 bus powered — no AC adapter required
- Works with DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe CC, Avid, and more
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G
- SKU:
- BDLKULSDZMINMON12G
- MPN:
- BDLKULSDZMINMON12G
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Description
Product Overview
The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G is a Thunderbolt 4* playback device that sends 10-bit video from a laptop or desktop out to 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0. It runs Ultra HD up to 2160p60 and takes its 15W of power from the same Thunderbolt cable, so there's no power supply to carry. Plug it into a reference monitor, a production switcher or any other SDI gear downstream.
* Requires a computer with a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port. Thunderbolt cable not included.
The two SDI outputs can run as separate fill and key. That's what most other small playback boxes can't do. A graphics operator in DaVinci Resolve, After Effects or another supported CG app can send keyed graphics straight into a switcher without a separate keyer, from a box small enough to fit in a jacket pocket.
Why broadcast engineers pick the UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G
Fill and key SDI outputs
One SDI output carries fill and the other carries key. Feed both into a switcher and your CG layers key over live video with no hardware keyer in between.
Bus powered over Thunderbolt 4
A single Thunderbolt 4 cable carries video and 15W of power. It works with Apple Silicon Macs and with Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 PCs on Windows and Linux.
10-bit 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0
Both connections output 10-bit video, and HDMI 2.0 supports Deep Color. The SDI output is multi-rate, so it switches between 270Mb SD and 12G Ultra HD on its own.
Ultra HD up to 2160p60
Plays Ultra HD and 4K DCI up to 60p. The same unit handles SD, HD and 2K projects, so you don't swap hardware between jobs.
16 SDI and 8 HDMI audio channels
16 channels of embedded SDI audio and 8 channels over HDMI, both at 48kHz and 24-bit. Audio rides with the video, so there's no breakout box.
HDR and Rec. 2020
Packs HDR static metadata with HLG and PQ. Conversion between Rec. 601, Rec. 709 and Rec. 2020 happens in hardware on the unit, so it doesn't load your CPU.
DeckLink API support
UltraStudio Mini uses the same DeckLink API as Blackmagic's PCIe cards, so most professional video software sees it right away. Install Desktop Video, open your app, and pick the outputs.
Plays the codecs editors use
Apple ProRes 4444 through Proxy, DNxHR and DNxHD, uncompressed 10-bit, HEVC, DPX, XDCAM, DVCPRO, AVCHD and AVC-Intra. Play your timeline to SDI and HDMI without transcoding first.
Mac, Windows and Linux
Supports macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 26 Tahoe or later, Windows 10 and 11, and Linux. All three use the free Blackmagic Desktop Video driver.
News editing and replay with DaVinci Resolve
The Cut page in DaVinci Resolve has editing, media player and replay tools aimed at broadcast, and Resolve opens almost any file a client hands you. If a clip has an alpha channel, Resolve plays it out of the UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G as 10-bit SDI fill and key.
The multi source viewer shows every clip that matches in time side by side, so you can find the shot fast. On-air controls let the key output trigger the downstream keyer on your switcher, which means one button can take a graphic to air. Resolve can add a stinger automatically too. For news edits and live replay, that covers the whole job from one laptop.
Thunderbolt 4 connection
Every UltraStudio Mini model uses Thunderbolt 4 for both video and power on one cable. There's enough bandwidth for Ultra HD, higher bit depths and alpha frame buffers in 4:2:2:4 and 4:4:4:4. The unit converts that alpha channel in real time to 10-bit 12G-SDI fill and key.
Independent fill and key outputs
The two 12G-SDI outputs go straight into a live production switcher, which keys the graphics over program video with full transparency. Inside, the unit has hardware support for RGBA and YUVA frame buffers. Send it RGBA graphics and it converts the RGB pixels to 10-bit YUV 4:2:2:4 on both the fill and key outputs.
The key signal controls how transparent edges blend into the picture, so soft shadows and anti-aliased text look clean on air. Use it for lower thirds, full-screen graphics and stingers.
True 10-bit broadcast video quality
Most software plays out to ProRes, DNxHD and 10-bit uncompressed through this unit, so you aren't tied to one file format. 10-bit is the usual television standard because each color channel has four times as many levels as 8-bit video.
Uncompressed 10-bit output matches the source frame exactly. That gives you cleaner green screen keys, VFX composites without banding, and a true picture on your reference monitor while you grade.
Media Express included. Media Express comes in the box for SDI and HDMI playback on Mac and Windows. DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer connect through the included Blackmagic driver.
The UltraStudio Mini 12G lineup. The Mini Monitor 12G is the playback-only model. For capture, add the UltraStudio Mini Recorder 12G. For capture, playback and live replay in one unit, choose the UltraStudio Mini Replay 12G.
Compatible software applications
The UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G works with the main editing, color, motion graphics and audio post applications through the included Blackmagic Desktop Video driver.
DaVinci Resolve
Color / Edit / Deliver
Fusion
VFX / Motion Graphics
Final Cut Pro
NLE / Editing
Adobe Premiere Pro
NLE / Editing
Adobe After Effects
Motion Graphics / CG
Avid Media Composer
Broadcast NLE
Also works with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Character Animator, Avid Pro Tools, Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo, The Foundry Nuke, Grass Valley Edius, Telestream Wirecast, Resolume Arena, Vegas Pro, vMix, OBS Studio, ProPresenter, TouchDesigner, CasparCG, XSplit Broadcaster, Boinx mimoLive and others. Third-party support depends on each vendor, so check with yours before you buy.
Who the UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G is for
Supported codecs for playback to 12G-SDI and HDMI
| Codec family | Formats | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Apple ProRes | 4444, 422 HQ, 422, 422 LT, 422 Proxy | Color sessions in DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro |
| Avid DNx | DNxHD, DNxHR | Media Composer monitor output and broadcast review |
| Uncompressed | 8-bit 4:2:2 · 10-bit 4:2:2 | VFX review and color-critical monitoring |
| HEVC / H.265 | HEVC | Checking delivery and streaming files |
| DPX | DPX | Cinema and VFX image sequences on a 12G reference monitor |
| XDCAM | XDCAM EX · HD · HD422 | Sony broadcast camera footage |
| DVCPRO | DVCPRO50, DVCPRO HD | Legacy Panasonic footage and archive review |
| Other | AVC-Intra · AVCHD · Canon XF MPEG2 · DV-NTSC · DV-PAL · HDV · Digital SLR | Mixed-source timelines |
Full technical specifications: Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G
| Model | Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G |
| SKU | BDLKULSDZMINMON12G |
| UPC | 9338716010411 |
| SDI Video Outputs | 2 total: 1x fill, 1x key |
| SDI Rates | 270Mb (SD) · 1.5G (HD) · 3G · 6G · 12G |
| HDMI Output | 1x HDMI 2.0 with Deep Color |
| SDI Audio Output | 16 channels embedded, 48kHz / 24-bit |
| HDMI Audio Output | 8 channels embedded, 48kHz / 24-bit |
| Computer Interface | Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) |
| Power | Bus powered over Thunderbolt, 15W. No AC adapter needed. |
| Compatible Hardware | Apple Silicon Macs · Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 PCs (Windows and Linux) |
| Operating Systems | macOS 15.0 Sequoia and macOS 26.0 Tahoe or later · Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11 · Linux |
| Ultra HD / 4K SDI | 2160p23.98 to 2160p60 · 4Kp23.98 to 4Kp60 DCI |
| Ultra HD / 4K HDMI | 2160p23.98 to 2160p60 · 4Kp23.98 to 4Kp60 DCI |
| HD Standards | 720p50/59.94/60 · 1080i50/59.94/60 · 1080p23.98 to 1080p60 · 1080PsF23.98 to 1080PsF30 |
| 2K DCI (SDI only) | 2Kp23.98 to 2Kp60 DCI · 2KPsF23.98 to 2KPsF30 DCI |
| SD Standards | 525i59.94 NTSC · 625i50 PAL |
| SDI Color Precision | 8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 (up to 2160p30) · 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 (all standards) |
| HDMI Color Precision | 8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 · 8-bit YUV 4:4:4 · 12-bit YUV 4:2:2 (converted from 10-bit YUV 4:2:2) |
| Color Space | Rec. 601 · Rec. 709 · Rec. 2020 |
| HDR Support | HDR static metadata packing · HLG · PQ transfer characteristics |
| Colorspace Conversion | Hardware-based, real time |
| SMPTE Compliance | 259M · 292M · 296M · 424M · 425M (A and B) · 2081-1 · 2081-10 · 2082-1 · 2082-10 · 2084 · ST2108-1 |
| Hardware Frame Buffer | 2vuy (8-bit YUV) · ARGB · BGRA (8-bit RGB) · Ay10 (10-bit YUVA) · r210 (10-bit RGB) · v210 (10-bit YUV) · R12B · R12L (12-bit RGB) |
| Software Included | Mac and Windows: Media Express, Disk Speed Test, LiveKey, Desktop Video Utility, Blackmagic driver · Linux: Media Express, Desktop Video Utility, driver |
| Operating Temperature | 5 to 40°C (32 to 104°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -20 to 45°C (-4 to 113°F) |
| Relative Humidity | 0% to 90% non-condensing |
| What's Included | UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G · Welcome wallet with QR code for software download. Thunderbolt cable not included. |
| Warranty | 1 Year Limited Manufacturer's Warranty |
Not sure it fits your playback setup?
Coremicro is an authorized Blackmagic Design dealer, and every UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G comes with the full manufacturer warranty. Send us your switcher, software and computer details and we'll confirm it works before you order.
Talk to a Broadcast SpecialistAll Blackmagic Design Products · UltraStudio Mini Recorder 12G · UltraStudio Mini Replay 12G · New Products · Contact Coremicro
Specifications
Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G Specifications
Reviews
What's included
Included on Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G
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