The UltraStudio Mini Monitor 12G is a compact Thunderbolt 4 playback device with 12G-SDI and HDMI outputs — the output-only model in the UltraStudio Mini 12G family. It turns an Apple Silicon Mac, Windows or Linux computer into a broadcast quality 10-bit playback source in every SD, HD and Ultra HD standard up to 2160p60, with video and power over a single cable. Editors and colourists reach for it to monitor the timeline on a proper broadcast display; graphics operators use it to feed keyed graphics into a switcher.

The two multi-rate 12G-SDI outputs run from 270Mb through 12G and work as a 10-bit fill and key pair. Hardware supports both RGBA and YUVA frame buffers, and RGBA graphics are transcoded to YUV 4:2:2:4 across fill and key in full 10-bit precision, for clean blending of transparent elements keyed in a live production switcher. SDI carries 16 channels of embedded audio; the HDMI 2.0 output supports Deep Colour, switches between SD, HD, Ultra HD and 4K, and carries 8 channels.

Standards run from 525i59.94 NTSC and 625i50 PAL through every 720p, 1080i and 1080p rate to 1080p60, 2K and 4K DCI up to 60p, and Ultra HD to 2160p60, with switchable level A and level B for 3G-SDI. Sampling is 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 with 10-bit YUV in all standards and up to 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 up to 2160p30, across Rec. 601, Rec. 709 and Rec. 2020. HDR playback carries static metadata with HLG and PQ, RP 188 timecode and closed captioning are supported, and audio is 48 kHz, 24-bit.

It uses the DeckLink API, so playback works from virtually any application. Monitor edits and grades from DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Media Composer or Premiere Pro, composite in Fusion, After Effects or Photoshop, and play out broadcast graphics from CasparCG Server, vMix, Wirecast, ProPresenter, Resolume Arena or OBS Studio through the fill and key outputs. Media Express, Disk Speed Test, LiveKey and the Desktop Video utility are included, with a free developer SDK for Mac, Windows and Linux. In the box: a welcome wallet with QR code for the software download, plus a 1 year limited warranty.

Key features

• Dual multi-rate 12G-SDI outputs — 10-bit fill and key for broadcast graphics
• RGBA graphics transcoded to YUV 4:2:2:4 in hardware, full 10-bit
• HDMI 2.0 output with Deep Colour — switchable SD, HD, Ultra HD and 4K
• All SD, HD, Ultra HD and 4K DCI standards up to 2160p60
• Broadcast quality 10-bit playback — 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 sampling
• Up to 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 output up to 2160p30
• 16 channels of embedded SDI audio, 8 on HDMI — 48 kHz, 24-bit
• HDR support — static metadata, HLG and PQ
• Thunderbolt 4 — video and power over a single cable
• Works on Apple Silicon Macs, Windows and Linux
• Plays out from Resolve, Final Cut Pro, CasparCG, vMix and ProPresenter
• Media Express, Disk Speed Test and LiveKey software included