Blackmagic Design Ultimatte 12 HD

An HD Variant Within the Ultimatte 12 Generation

Designed as the HD model of the series, the Ultimatte 12 HD carries the DNA that made Ultimatte renowned in broadcast: stable, reproducible keying that is quick to adjust, tailored for live environments. This "12" generation emphasizes more advanced color science and modernized keying algorithms, with finer edge handling and more effective spill reduction. All this is based on reliable SD/HD integration via 3G-SDI, allowing seamless insertion into existing infrastructures (control room, OB van, studio floor, or fixed studio).

A Keyer for Live Control Rooms, Virtual Studios, and Professional Streaming

The Ultimatte 12 HD targets teams that need to deliver clean keying continuously without complicating the production chain: news control rooms, talk shows, sports, corporate sets, e-learning, or professional streaming. It is especially relevant when timing is critical (on-air graphics, virtual sets, graphic inserts, remote guests) and visual consistency must remain constant from one show to another. Thanks to its network control and monitoring features, it also facilitates collaboration between camera operators, lighting, and directing to stabilize the screen, check mattes, and quickly diagnose any studio drift.

Features Designed for Clean, Fast, and Controllable Keying

10-bit video processing and broadcast color management

To maintain a natural look on skin tones, fine details (hair, textures, transparencies), and high-contrast areas, the Ultimatte 12 HD relies on 10-bit processing with 4:2:2 sampling. Support for REC 601, REC 709, and REC 2020 color spaces allows you to align the keyer with your channel's standards, whether working in legacy SD, HD, or pipelines where color consistency is non-negotiable.

Mattes, layers, and media library: keying beyond the simple green screen

Beyond classic keying, the device offers advanced control tools thanks to its internal mattes (BG Matte, G Matte, H Matte, Layer Matte) and the "Layer" from the media library. In practice, this enables protecting certain areas, removing unwanted elements, refining cutouts, or integrating graphic elements with greater control. The 6 GB non-volatile internal memory speeds up production deployment: backgrounds, layers, and mattes are ready to use and can be loaded quickly via Ethernet.

Dedicated monitoring: more visibility, fewer trips to the studio floor

Monitoring often makes the difference between an "acceptable" and a "mastered" key. The Ultimatte 12 HD includes dedicated Monitor input and output to view the Program, sources, mattes (combined, internal, or processed), or screen correction views. This diagnostic comfort helps adjust lighting, verify background cleanliness, and secure live production without interrupting the main feed.

Network control and studio integration

Depending on your workflow, you can control the Ultimatte 12 HD from the front panel, via Ethernet with Ultimatte Software Control (Mac and Windows), or with an Ultimatte Smart Remote 4 hardware panel. Integration into a studio network remains simple thanks to IP configuration from the device or via utility, and updates can be performed via USB-C or Ethernet. The result: a keyer that adapts equally well to centralized control rooms or multi-set workflows, where quick configuration and standardized settings are essential.

Technical specifications

Type

Digital mixing engine

SDI video inputs	5	Garbage matte (G Matte)	1 x 3G-SDI input; internal window; media library image
SDI video outputs	4	Holdout matte (H Matte)	1 x 3G-SDI input; internal window; media library image
SDI loop video outputs	1	Layer	media library image
Synchronization	SD or HD "Camera FG" sync; video input synchronization on all inputs	Layer matte (Layer Matte)	internal window; media library image
SDI rates	270 Mb/s, 1.5G, 3G	Fill	1 x 3G-SDI
Reference connections	1 x BNC input, 1 x BNC output; Tri-Sync or Black Burst	Matte	1 x 3G-SDI
GPIO	DE15	Program (PGM)	1 x 3G-SDI
Ethernet	up to 1 Gb/s for control and media library image loading	Monitor input	1 x 3G-SDI (cascade monitoring)
Computer interface	1 x USB-C 3.0 for configuration and updates	Monitor output	1 x 3G-SDI (Program, FG In, BG In, Combined Matte, Internal Matte, Fill Out, Layer In, Background Matte In, Garbage Matte In, Holdout Matte In, Layer Matte In, Processed Layer Matte, Processed Holdout Matte, Processed Garbage Matte, Processed Background Matte, Screen Correction)
SD	525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL	BG (backgrounds)	TGA, TIFF, BMP, PNG, JPG
HD	720p50/59.94/60; 1080i50/59.94/60; 1080p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60; 1080PsF23.98/24/25/29.97/30	BG with alpha	TGA, TIFF, BMP
SDI compliance	SMPTE 259M, 292M, 296M, 424M, 425M level A and B	Layer with alpha	TGA, TIFF, BMP
Video sampling	4:2:2	G Matte	TIFF, BMP, PNG, JPG
Color precision	10 bits	H Matte	TIFF, BMP, PNG, JPG
Color space	REC 601, REC 709, REC 2020	Internal memory	6 GB non-volatile storage
Multiple rates	automatic SD/HD detection	Built-in screen	2.2-inch color (device name, preview, video standards, audio indicators, menus)
Foreground (FG)	1 x input with 3G-SDI loop output	Front panel	2.2-inch screen, 3 preset buttons, 3 menu buttons, dial
Background (BG)	1 x 3G-SDI input; media library image	Network control	via Ethernet with Ultimatte Software Control or Ultimatte Smart Remote 4
Background matte (BG Matte)	internal window; media library image