Blackmagic Design Ultimatte 12 HD Mini - Used Real-Time HDMI Chroma Keyer

The Blackmagic Design Ultimatte 12 HD Mini is an advanced real-time keyer purpose-built for creating photorealistic virtual sets using consumer cameras with HDMI connections. It delivers the same broadcast-quality algorithms and color science found in the full Ultimatte 12 family, enabling convincing green screen compositing with cameras and switchers like the Blackmagic Studio Camera, Pocket Cinema Cameras, and ATEM Mini - at a fraction of the cost of SDI-only alternatives.

For content creators and small studios searching for the best HDMI chroma keyer for virtual production, the Ultimatte 12 HD Mini stands out by pairing HDMI I/O with a massive 6GB internal frame store, letting you load pre-rendered still backgrounds and run fixed-camera virtual sets without any additional playback hardware. It integrates seamlessly into Blackmagic camera control and tally workflows when paired with compatible ATEM switchers - a major advantage over standalone software-based keyers.

Operating at 10-bit color precision across REC 601 and REC 709 color spaces, the Ultimatte 12 HD Mini handles the full range of HD standards from 720p through 1080p60, with SMPTE-compliant SDI I/O for monitoring and cascading. Control is handled via Ethernet using Ultimatte Software Control on Mac or Windows, or optionally via the Ultimatte Smart Remote 4 hardware panel. The unit processes foreground and background via dedicated HDMI inputs and outputs composited program via both HDMI and 3G-SDI simultaneously.

Key Features of the Ultimatte 12 HD Mini Real-Time Keyer

• Broadcast-Quality Chroma Keying: Delivers the same advanced algorithms and color science as the full Ultimatte 12 line, with superior edge handling, color separation, and spill suppression for photorealistic composites.
• HDMI In and Out for Consumer Camera Compatibility: Two HDMI inputs for foreground and background sources plus one HDMI program output make this keyer ideal for Blackmagic Studio Cameras, Pocket Cinema Cameras, and ATEM Mini workflows.
• 6GB Internal Frame Store: Enables fixed-camera virtual sets using pre-rendered still backgrounds loaded from the Media Pool - eliminating the need for a dedicated background playback server.
• Dual SDI I/O for Professional Integration: Two SDI inputs (monitor cascade and camera return) and two SDI outputs provide 3G-SDI program output and monitor cascade capability for broadcast-grade signal routing.
• Blackmagic Camera Control and Tally: Supports Blackmagic camera control and tally signaling when used with compatible cameras and ATEM switchers, enabling tightly integrated live production setups.
• Flexible Software Control: Configure and control via Ethernet using Ultimatte Software Control on Mac or Windows, with optional hardware control via the Ultimatte Smart Remote 4 panel.
• Compact One-Third Rack Width Design: Fits into a standard 1U rack space at one-third rack width, making it efficient for space-constrained studios and broadcast trucks.

Technical Specifications

• Model Number: ULTMKEY12/A/HDM (W-ULTM-13)
• HDMI Video Inputs: 2
• HDMI Video Outputs: 1
• SDI Video Inputs: 2 (Monitor In for cascade, Return In for camera control)
• SDI Video Outputs: 2
• SDI Rates: 270Mb, 1.5G, 3G
• Composite Program Output: 1 x HDMI, 1 x 3G-SDI
• Video Input Re-Sync: On all inputs
• Ethernet: Up to 1Gb/s for device control and Media Pool loading
• Computer Interface: 1 x USB-C 3.0 for configuration and software updates
• SD Video Standards: 525i59.94 NTSC, 625i50 PAL
• HD Video Standards: 720p50/59.94/60; 1080i50/59.94/60; 1080p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60
• SDI Compliance: SMPTE 259M, SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 424M, SMPTE 425M Level A and B
• Video Sampling: 4:2:2
• Color Precision: 10-bit
• Color Space: REC 601, REC 709
• Multiple Rate Support: Auto detection of SD and HD
• Media Pool Memory: 6GB non-volatile internal storage
• Still Image Formats Supported: TGA, TIFF, BMP, PNG, JPG (background and layer); TGA, TIFF, BMP (with alpha); TIFF, BMP, PNG, JPG (garbage and holdout mattes)
• Front Panel Display: 2.2" color display with 3 preset buttons, 3 menu buttons, and spin knob
• Software Control: Ultimatte Software Control (Mac and Windows)
• Optional Hardware Control: Ultimatte Smart Remote 4
• Power Supply: 1 x Internal, 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
• Power Usage: 12W
• Physical Installation: One-third rack unit width, 1 rack unit height
• Operating Temperature: 32 deg F to 104 deg F (0 deg C to 40 deg C)
• Storage Temperature: -4 deg F to 140 deg F (-20 deg C to 60 deg C)
• Relative Humidity: 0% to 90% non-condensing
• Operating Systems: Mac 13.0 Ventura / 14.0 Sonoma or later; Windows 10 64-bit / Windows 11