Mini Recorder + Macbook Pro 2018 issues

Hi all

Odd one - my Ultrastudio Mini Recorder isn't sending video to my Macbook Pro (touchbar 15" 2018), OS X 10.13.6.

I'm taking a feed from a HyperDeck Studio Mini via HDMI, into the Mini Recorder, which is going to an Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adaptor and then into the Macbook.

It's being recognised in the Apple System profile, and the Mini Recorder software allows me to select HDMI/SDI, and all the usual options.

However, OBS, Premiere and Resolve all only display a black screen. They appear to be aware of the Recorder's presence, I'm just not getting a video signal.

I've tried uninstalling & re-installing the Desktop Video software (with the recorder connected and without) with no luck.
Also checked the Security control panel, and it doesn't appear to be blocked there.

Any ideas? Been looking through the forums for any solutions so far.
Cheers

I wonder if there's a Thunderbolt 2 / Thunderbolt 3 issue, since the current MacBook Pro is TB3 and the MiniRecorder is TB2.

We routinely use the MiniRecorder on a 2015 MacBook Pro with TB2 all the time, as much as once every week or so, and it's fine.

I wonder if there's a Thunderbolt 2 / Thunderbolt 3 issue, since the current MacBook Pro is TB3 and the MiniRecorder is TB2.

Agreed; it's most likely a problem with your adapter, which should be Apple-certified. Not all TB2 -> TB3 adapters provide enough power. The Apple-branded adapters are expensive but are your safest bet; beyond that you need to find an Apple-certified adapter. Many third-party adapters won't work.

Thanks gents -

It is a genuine Apple adaptor, I'm afraid.
Interesting thoughts though - I'll have to dig out an older machine and try it via a TB2 port.

Hi all

I'm taking a feed from a HyperDeck Studio Mini via HDMI, into the Mini Recorder, which is going to an Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adaptor and then into the Macbook.

It's odd, because the Desktop Video manual says adapters for TB3 to TB2 are not supported for bus-powered recorder/monitors like the Mini Recorder, but in your case you're going the other way around, from TB2 (the recorder) to TB3 (your computer). You would think this wouldn't be a problem, but maybe it is for bus-powered devices.

Grabbed a Macbook with a Thunderbolt 2 port, installed Desktop Video, attached the Mini Recorder and set up a Sony Z150 for a signal.

Media Express loaded this time, seeing the device (which it didn't do on the 2018 Macbook).
Desktop Video sees the device, OBS sees the device, Premiere sees the device.

But - still no video signal over HDMI or SDI, just black screen in each application.

So this leads me to think that the Recorder is borked, despite showing up in the software and it lighting up when it's connected.

I can also say that I am having issues with the Mini Monitor using 2018 MBP using Apple adapter.

[Tony Rivera]

Can we get some more specifics from those of you that are having troubles? Such as to what OSX you're on and the build confirming you're using an Apple adapter for the connection to the product as well.

Hey Tony,

Hardware chain is as follows -

3x Sony Z150 connected via HDMI to
ATEM Production Studio 4K (being run from 2018 Touch Bar MacBook Pro) w/ SDI connection to:
BMD Hyperdeck Studio Mini (set to 1080p50) - HDMI output to:
BMD Ultrastudio Mini Recorder, connected to the same 2018 Touch Bar MacBook Pro via:
Apple thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adaptor (bought from Apple)
Apple thunderbolt 2 cable (bought from Apple)


Software details:
OS X 10.13.6
Desktop Video 10.11.4
ATEM Software Control 7.5.2
OBS 22.0.2

Also been trialled using the output from a Cyclone Micro 3 media player (mainly because it was on my desk and will send a 1080p signal) and I did manage to see a 720p60 signal briefly in Media Express, but changing the media players anything above that broke it.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know!

BMD Hyperdeck Studio Mini (set to 1080p50) - HDMI output to:
BMD Ultrastudio Mini Recorder, connected to the same 2018 Touch Bar MacBook Pro via:
Apple thunderbolt 3 to thunderbolt 2 adaptor (bought from Apple)
Apple thunderbolt 2 cable (bought from Apple)

Easy!! 1080P50 / 60 is not supported by the Ultrastudio mini recorder!
You will need a Ultrastudio Mini HD to run 1080P50!
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/produc ... /W-DLUS-10

Thank you!

Just connected up a z150 to the recorder over SDI (the camera won't do 25p over HDMI apparently) and set it to 1080p25 over the SDI link.
All working in Media Express and OBS.

So - my issue will be solved if I can get a 1080p25 signal out of the ATEM Production Studio 4k.

I suspect this can all be fixed with the simple purchase of some 10m SDI leads.

Thank you for spotting that!

I use an Akitio TB3 to 2 adapter (called T3T) over here with my 2017 iMac and the UltraStudio Mini Recorder works smoothly with it when fed by SDI.

It's cheaper than the Apple adapter, too.

I'm not sure this is the same issue but I came across this thread looking for an answer to a similar experience and solved the issue.

I moved from a 2015 macbook pro where the Mini Recorder worked fine via The Thunderbolt 2 cable. I then upgraded to the 2018 15-inch Macbook Pro (2.6 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB 2400 Mhz DDR4) we also used the official apple thunderbolt 2 to 3 (USB C) converter.

When I installed the Blackmagic drivers and apps I was unable to open the settings within the preferences (The icon was greyed out in system preferences) The MAC was showing the device but no signal was coming through to my streaming software as experienced by the OP.

The issue simply was that I wasn't able to switch the Mini Recorder from the SDI input to HDMI. When I realised that I could access the control panel via the application in the apps folder I was able to switch the inputs. This now means that I am able to use the mini recorder via USB C (Thunderbolt 3) when getting a signal from our Panasonic HC-X1000