Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

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AndreeMarkefors

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Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostSun Nov 03, 2024 9:39 am

I currently own a Decklink Mini Monitor 4K card that I've used since my old Mac Pro 5.1 days. I've been really happy with the features it provides (4K HDR monitoring on OLED TVs), essentially for free ($195).

I can't really find the card on Blackmagic's homepage anymore (well maybe if I dig hard), so I'm thinking I should look for another updated product. I'm open to using something external akin to the UltraStudio Monitor 3G (but that one is only HD). I'm aware of the UltraStudio 4K Mini, but that is EXTREMELY over-engineered (display, SD card, buttons, size, price....) for what I need/want: which is color-managed monitoring on an external HDR monitor in 4K.

Surely, something like an "UltraStudio Monitor 4K", that is a smallish dongle that you can connect to via Thunderbolt 4/5 and has an HDMI out has a place in BMD's lineup? A dongle like this is probably preferable going forward since I could use it with MacBook Pros and Mac Studios.

What am I missing? Is the Decklink Mini Monitor 4K still current? Then it needs to be shortlisted with all the other DeckLink cards on the product page....
Canon R5C | Blackmagic Cam iOS
Mac Pro 2019: 12c | 240GB | Dual W6800X Duos | DeckLink Mini Monitor 4K + LG 55C8
MacBook Pro M3 Max 16" 16/40, 64GB | iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Uli Plank

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostMon Nov 04, 2024 1:36 am

I think many people have been hoping for an updated US Mini Monitor in 4K, which has not happened yet. Very disappointing, since the HD version was a perfect solution, for Macs in particular. DITs loved it, and surely would love a 4K or at least UHD version.
Right now, you can only look for a cheap external case and continue to use your card, but that's very inconvenient.
My disaster protection: export a .drp file to a physically separated storage regularly.

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AndreeMarkefors

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostMon Nov 04, 2024 6:44 am

Yes, that does sound kind of strange...

I still have my MiniMonitor 4K in my Mac Pro, but I was thinking about including it if I were to sell my computer.

I'll probably just pull it out and drop it into my next Mac Pro. But a small, dongle-like product would work with MacBook Pros and Studios too (and PC laptops of course)
Canon R5C | Blackmagic Cam iOS
Mac Pro 2019: 12c | 240GB | Dual W6800X Duos | DeckLink Mini Monitor 4K + LG 55C8
MacBook Pro M3 Max 16" 16/40, 64GB | iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Uli Plank

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostMon Nov 04, 2024 8:29 am

Are you seriously considering a new Mac Pro?
I consider that an overpriced and obsolete box with a lot of empty room inside. IMHO it can only appeal to folks who need a whole bunch of cards, not a single one.
Even a M4 Pro Mac mini will run circles around an Intel Mac Pro, not even to mention an upcoming M4 Studio.
If you don’t need the portability, get any eGPU enclosure for your card.

Or get the US Mini Monitor and monitor in HD, if it's mainly for checking colours, but don't forget to switch back for final delivery:
Bildschirmfoto 2024-11-04 um 10.39.33.png
Bildschirmfoto 2024-11-04 um 10.39.33.png (195.04 KiB) Viewed 1107 times
My disaster protection: export a .drp file to a physically separated storage regularly.

Studio 19.1.1
MacOS 13.7, 2017 iMac, 32 GB, Radeon Pro 580 + eGPU
MacBook M1 Pro, 16 GPU cores, 32 GB RAM, MacOS 14.7.1
SE, USM G3
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AndreeMarkefors

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostMon Nov 04, 2024 11:26 pm

Uli Plank wrote:Are you seriously considering a new Mac Pro?


I already have the 7.1 Intel Mac Pro (2019) with its GPUs maxed out, and I have a M3 Max as well, so I'm set both with and without Apple Silicon. The Mac Pro beats the M3 Max in Resolve, and any M4 flavor that isn't the Ultra (which we haven't seen yet).

I would definitely consider a new Mac Pro. Possibly the M4 Ultra version, or the M5 equivalent.

If you like the Mac Mini or the Mac Studio, you can think of the Mac Pro as the same, only better in every way, EXCEPT if you need the small size.

I like both internal SSD expansion as well as the possibility to drop in cards like the one mentioned above.

Uli Plank wrote:...or monitor in HD


I'm already monitoring in UHD and HDR on a 55" OLED. Not stepping down from that.
Canon R5C | Blackmagic Cam iOS
Mac Pro 2019: 12c | 240GB | Dual W6800X Duos | DeckLink Mini Monitor 4K + LG 55C8
MacBook Pro M3 Max 16" 16/40, 64GB | iPhone 15 Pro Max
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Reinhard Brocke

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostSat Nov 16, 2024 11:27 pm

AndreeMarkefors wrote:I can't really find the card on Blackmagic's homepage anymore...

It is still there: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink/techspecs/W-DLK-32
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provanguard

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostTue Nov 19, 2024 10:19 pm

Personally, I am waiting for a successor to the Decklink Mini Monitor 4K, in the form of Monitor 8K or at least Monitor 4K 60 or if possible 120. With HDMI 2.1 output of course.

The trick is that it should be compliant with up to PCIe 4.0 x4 slot.
Davinci Resolve Studio 19.1
Video Assist 12G 5'' HDR, Decklink Mini Monitor 4K
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ShaheedMalik

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Re: Successor or alternative to Decklink Mini Monitor 4K

PostSat Nov 30, 2024 3:28 pm


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