Specs for Blackmagic PCI Express Cable Kit??

I've been scouring the internet to find specs for this, but I can't find it anywhere.

Based on the description on the UltraStudio Product page...

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/ultrastudio

...it says (scroll to the bottom of the page)

"High speed Generation 3 PCI Express plug-in card and cable for connecting computers to products such as UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3, when you need higher speeds than Thunderbolt."


But, based on the Desktop Video Manual, on page 9...

http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/D ... Manual.pdf

...it says

"UltraStudio 4K Extreme and UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 can also connect to your computer via PCIe using a PCIe adapter card and cable. Both UltraStudio 4K Extreme and UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3 need to be connected to a PCIe Gen 2 slot in your computer."


Can anyone answer the following questions...

1.) Is this PCIe card Gen 2 or Gen 3?
2.) How many lanes does it need?
3.) Does the PCIe card need power, or have any special power requirements?
4.) Is there any documentation for this card?

Thanks!

I have the *exact* same observations and questions, plus:

5. Is there a specific/preferred lane (in a MacPro tower) in which to install the card?

Cheers,


--Jesse Ettinger--

I have the *exact* same observations and questions, plus:

5. Is there a specific/preferred lane (in a MacPro tower) in which to install the card?

Hi Jesse,

I don't visit here that often, but I figured I can at least answer your question, albeit almost 2 months later.

I posted this to the Resolve forum as well and got an decent answer from an actual BM rep.

"Blackmagic Design's Blackmagic PCIe cable kit is a four-lane PCIe 3.0 capable product. It is recommended for use with UltraStudio 4K Extreme 3.

It should be compatible with PCIe gen. 2.0 (4x lanes).

It does not need additional power (card is bus powered)

There is no additional instruction, the only additional consideration as with any other external PCIe is that power is removed from both host and the connected device before disconnecting the cable.

If you have any additional questions, please contact your local Blackmagic Design support office."

So, to answer your question, the card is a 4-lane card, so the best slots to install in it on an oMP (old MacPro, or cheese grater, or 5,1) is slot 3 or 4. Those are both 4x slots. You could theoretically install it on slot 2, but that is a 16x slot, which would be a waste for a 4x card.

I hope that helps.

I wonder if it will work with a standard molex 8x pcie cable...

No it will not work..... the 8X cable will not fit in a 4X slot.

It is however the exact same card and cable used for Avid Nitrix so available for a tenth of the vastly inflated BMD price second hand. I wonder what the limitations of it being 4xPCIe3 are when the Decklink 4kExtreme 12G offers less functionality over an 8 Lane card.
This is very current, as Thunderbolt 2 and 3 become deprecated and people have to find other ways to use the Ultrastudios. Real shame support is not included for the old protocols

The correct avid part number is 7030-30048-02 if it helps anyone.

Also, you can use the DNXIO in the same way as an ultrastudio.
You need to install the AVID version of Desktop video first, but then you can update to the latest version.
Avid account is free.

Usually cheaper in the second hand market for the same device.
Important to reduce obsolescence where possible.