Blackmagic Forum

I know this is a really lame question, but I wonder if you can use the new Ultrastudio HD mini (which has only thunderbolt 3 output) with a thunderbolt 2 laptop using an adapter.
I`m thinking something like this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-thund ... Id=5687400

I mean I`m not sure if TB3 bandwidth is needed for the HD mini, since UltraStudio 4K can get away with thunderbolt 2, and it seems a bit more capable in terms of recording throughput,
and as it states in the adapters description, thunderbolt is bidirectional, so the communication between the TB3 device with a TB2 computer should work as well.

Can someone test this?
Maybe even someone from Blackmagic?

No 1?

Send me one, and I shall test it!!!

I just received an Ultrastudio HD Mini. I am using Desktop Video 9.3.1 and I currently cannot get it to work with a Thunderbolt 1 or Thunderbolt 2 computer. I am also using the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.

Either my unit is bad or you have to have a Thunderbolt 3 device. I will post when I have more information.

The UltraStudio HD Mini will only work while directly connected to a Thunderbolt 3 port. It is not backwards compatible with the previous Thunderbolt connections.

Tony Rivera wrote:The UltraStudio HD Mini will only work while directly connected to a Thunderbolt 3 port. It is not backwards compatible with the previous Thunderbolt connections.

Are there no adapters from Apple or others that would make this work with a 2013 Mac Pro or 2014 Mac Mini?

Thunderbolt 3 is twice as fast as Thunderbolt 2, upto 40Gbps. As Tony mentioned, you can not connect to older Thunderbolt systems - not fast enough.

HansSpoor wrote:Thunderbolt 3 is twice as fast as Thunderbolt 2, upto 40Gbps. As Tony mentioned, you can not connect to older Thunderbolt systems - not fast enough.

Speed can not be the issue. The UltraStudio HD Mini is a 3G-SDI/HDMI device.
ThunderBolt 1 at 10Gb/s would be fast enough.

Hi,

There`s Thunderbolt 3 port on my Dell Precision 5520 laptop, but it is not full speed PCIe x4. There are only 2 lanes, PCIe x2.
Is the Ultrastudio HD Mini compatible with such port or does it require full speed?

Thanks!

If it's HD model then it should be absolutely fine.

Andrew Kolakowski wrote:If it's HD model then it should be absolutely fine.

I think that regarding bandwith required to send HD data it will be fine (4K would excess PCIe x2 max data transfer), but UltraStudio HD Mini is also charged through Thunderbolt 3 port. I`m no expert in that field, but as the PCIe on Dell Precision 5520 is "low-powered" (PCIe x2) I`m not 100% sure that it will work with UltraStudio HD Mini (sending data and charging).

Hi,

it work perfectly if you connect Ultrastudio HD mini to TS3 dock
via Thunderbolt 3 cable (it outputs up to 100W on Thunderbolt 3 bus):

http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-3-dock/thunderbolt-station-3/index-eu.asp

The TS3 lite dock WILL NOT BE OK (because it outputs only 15W on Thunderbolt 3 bus
and the Ultrastudio HD mini consumes around 30W from the Thunderbolt 3 bus):

http://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-3-dock/thunderbolt-station-3-lite/index-eu.asp

Please know that the the TS3 dock must be powered via electric power adapter (170W - which is included).

And then you connect the TS3 dock via Apple Thuderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter
and the Thunderbolt cable to your Thunderbolt 2 or 1 port on your computer.

The Ultrastudio HD mini is then powered via Thunderbolt 3 connection from the dock
and works just fine with your Thunderbolt 2 or 1 computer.
You also get the USB 3.1 ports!

Best regards,

Gorazd.

To elaborate on my previous post, it's the power draw which would be the issue as the older ports do not supply enough to power the UltraStudio HD Minis. As Gorazd mentioned above, a powered hub station would yield better results however, this is not testing we've done.

Thank you for the answers!
Greatly appreciated!

Lot of professionals are holding out on the new macbook pros, because of the weak GPU and the touchbar, which is a very very strange concept.

I suppose, there is no planning on releasing a version of the Ultrastudio HD Mini with optional external power.

Gorazd Koncar.... I have a similar problem as described here. Can you please confirm that you have successfully connected an imac and the ultra studio hd mini with the caldigit ts3. Thank you.

Hi!

I tried the suggestion about using an CalDigit as a bridge between the BMD UltraStudio HD Mini and a new Mac Pro, and it works great.

Regards
Gustav

Will this solution work with an older MacPro thunderbolt 1 interface?

Please refer to my last response in this thread for clarity on this.

Slightly different question here but regarding the same device. I require a 10-bit RGB signal through HDMI in my signal path, does HD Mini support that?

Says under specs "8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards." Does that mean HDMI as well?

Many thanks

Any update on this topic ? I just purchased an UltraStudio HD mini and i thought i could make it work with a thunerbolt 2 port on an iMac using the Apple adapter. Guess i was wrong. Since the interface is 500$, i don't really want to spend 300$ on a dock with pwer supply. Has anybody find a simpler solution ?

Cheers
David

Maticpr wrote:Slightly different question here but regarding the same device. I require a 10-bit RGB signal through HDMI in my signal path, does HD Mini support that?

Says under specs "8, 10, 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 1080p30, and 8, 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 in all standards." Does that mean HDMI as well?

Many thanks

Should be as long as you stay with 1080p30. Not sure if HDMI will be 4:4:4 for higher fps.

Hey - a little new to the Ultra Studio HD mini technology, so excuse my question if it comes off as amateur. Looking to send two video signals into this device. Is that possible? Can I use the "ref in" BNC port, or is it best to use the analog video inputs fed from an SDI signal?