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Blackmagic Design OB02426 UltraStudio Recorder 3G — main product image
Blackmagic Design OB02426 UltraStudio Recorder 3G
Blackmagic Design OB02426 UltraStudio Recorder 3G
Blackmagic Design OB02426 UltraStudio Recorder 3G
Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic Design OB02426 UltraStudio Recorder 3G

★★★★★4.3 (388 reviews)

Capture broadcast-quality SDI and HDMI video up to 1080p directly to your computer over Thunderbolt 3 with the UltraStudio Recorder 3G.

$149.00*$199.00Save 25%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 19, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Recorder 3G is a compact Thunderbolt 3 capture device built for professionals who need to ingest broadcast-quality video directly into their editing or streaming workflow. It accepts both SDI and HDMI sources, making it versatile enough to work with professional broadcast cameras, consumer camcorders, game consoles, and virtually any other device with a standard video output. Captured video is delivered to your computer at up to 10-bit color depth with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling, preserving the maximum color fidelity for grading, compositing, and finishing work.

The Recorder 3G supports resolutions up to 1080p and 2K DCI, covering the needs of HD broadcast, corporate video, and independent film production. Its bus-powered design means there is no external power brick to carry—just connect the single Thunderbolt 3 cable to your laptop or desktop and you are ready to capture. SDI and HDMI outputs are also included, so you can pass the signal through to a monitor or downstream device while recording. Whether you are ingesting camera footage in an edit suite, capturing a live presentation for streaming, or digitizing legacy tape content, the UltraStudio Recorder 3G offers a professional-grade signal path in a device small enough to slip into a laptop bag.

Key Features

10-Bit

4:4:4 | 2:2:2

2K DCI

SDI/HDMI Out

Specifications

Model
OB02426
Brand
Blackmagic Design
Interface
Thunderbolt 3
Video Inputs
SDI, HDMI
Video Outputs
SDI, HDMI
Max Resolution
2K DCI / 1080p
Bit Depth
10-bit
Chroma Subsampling
4:4:4 / 4:2:2

Blackmagic UltraStudio Recorder 3G — Editorial Review & Use Cases

The Blackmagic Design UltraStudio Recorder 3G (OB02426) is a Thunderbolt 3 capture device that records SDI and HDMI sources directly into a Mac or Windows workstation for live streaming, broadcast capture, and post-production ingest. Per Blackmagic's official UltraStudio product page, the Recorder 3G provides both 3G-SDI and HDMI inputs with embedded audio, runs as bus-powered Thunderbolt 3, and works as an OBS / Wirecast / vMix / DaVinci Resolve capture source on macOS and Windows.

What the UltraStudio Recorder 3G Specifically Wins

  • Dedicated SDI and HDMI inputs — both inputs are auto-detected; the active one feeds the capture pipeline. Switch between sources by hot-swapping the active cable
  • Thunderbolt 3 bus-powered — no external power adapter; one TB3 cable handles both data and power to the host computer
  • 3G-SDI single-link up to 1080p60 — broadcast-format compatibility with professional cameras (Sony, Panasonic, Blackmagic URSA, RED Komodo SDI-out)
  • Direct DaVinci Resolve capture integration — recognized natively in Resolve's Media tab for direct-to-timeline capture
  • Live streaming source for OBS / Wirecast / vMix — recognized as a video device in all major streaming applications via Blackmagic Desktop Video drivers
  • Embedded audio in both SDI and HDMI inputs — no separate audio routing needed for standard broadcast feeds

Where the UltraStudio Recorder 3G Specifically Fits

  • Solo / dual-camera Twitch / YouTube live streaming with SDI-output broadcast cameras feeding a Mac/PC streaming workstation
  • Web seminar / corporate webinar production capturing speaker camera + slide source into a streaming app
  • Broadcast tape / archive digitization workflows where legacy SDI sources need direct-to-disk capture
  • Post-production ingest from production decks / SDI playback devices directly into DaVinci Resolve for color / edit
  • Game capture from PS5 / Xbox via HDMI for streamers wanting the Blackmagic ecosystem advantage over generic USB capture cards
  • Solo podcast video capture from cinema cameras that lack USB-streaming features (BMPCC 4K/6K, URSA Mini)

Honest Limits Buyers Should Know

  • Input-only — no output / passthrough. The Recorder 3G captures from SDI / HDMI to the computer; it does not output video back from the computer. For bidirectional workflows step up to UltraStudio Monitor 3G or UltraStudio HD Mini
  • 1080p60 maximum — no 4K capture. 4K live capture requires the UltraStudio 4K Mini or UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 (significantly higher tier)
  • Thunderbolt 3 host required. USB-C-only computers won't work — must be a true Thunderbolt 3 host. Some MacBook M1 / M2 / M3 generations have TB3/TB4 ports that work; verify host TB compatibility before purchase
  • Driver dependency for OBS / live-streaming apps. Blackmagic Desktop Video driver must be installed; some streaming apps need explicit Blackmagic-source selection rather than generic "video device" pickup
  • Single-source capture only — no quad-input or multiview. For multi-camera capture from one box, step up to UltraStudio 4K Mini (multiple inputs) or use multiple Recorder 3G units
  • Not a switcher — pair with ATEM for multi-cam workflows. The Recorder 3G is a capture device only; for live switching add ATEM Mini / ATEM Mini Extreme upstream

Where Buyers Should Look Elsewhere

  • 4K-capture workflows → UltraStudio 4K Mini, UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3
  • Bidirectional capture + playback → UltraStudio Monitor 3G, UltraStudio HD Mini
  • Multi-camera capture (4-8 inputs) → DeckLink Quad / Duo PCIe cards (for desktop workstations)
  • USB 3 capture for non-TB hosts → ATEM Mini family (HDMI capture via USB), Magewell USB 3.0 capture devices
  • Live switching + capture in one box → ATEM Mini Pro ISO (records each input separately) or ATEM Television Studio HD8 ISO

Sources & Citations

  1. Blackmagic Design, "UltraStudio Recorder 3G product page," blackmagicdesign.com (accessed 2026-05-18)
  2. ProVideo Coalition, "Blackmagic UltraStudio coverage," provideocoalition.com (accessed 2026-05-18)
  3. Newsshooter, "UltraStudio Recorder 3G workflow coverage," newsshooter.com (accessed 2026-05-18)

Last verified: 2026-05-18

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Supports both SDI and HDMI input, covering consumer and professional source devices in one unit
  • 10-bit 4:4:4 capture quality preserves color detail for grading and post-production work
  • Compact, bus-powered design eliminates the need for an external power supply
  • Thunderbolt 3 connection provides reliable, high-bandwidth capture with low latency

👎 Cons

  • Requires a Thunderbolt 3 port, which limits compatibility with computers that only have USB-A or USB-C without Thunderbolt
  • Maximum capture resolution is 1080p/2K DCI—no 4K support for users who need higher resolution workflows
  • Does not include built-in storage or recording to media, so you are dependent on your computer's disk speed and capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

It accepts both SDI and HDMI inputs, allowing you to capture from a wide range of professional cameras, switchers, and other video sources.
It connects via Thunderbolt 3, providing the bandwidth needed for high-quality, low-latency video capture.
It supports capture up to 1080p as well as 2K DCI resolution, with 10-bit color depth and 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 chroma subsampling.
Yes, it captures video to your computer in real time, making it suitable for feeding live streaming software as well as for recording into editing applications.
Despite its name focusing on recording, the Recorder 3G does include SDI and HDMI outputs for monitoring.

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