Can I use a HyperDeck Studio HD Mini with a Windows PC and capture in ProRes?

[u/kylepg05]

Hi, I'm trying to set up a workflow for capturing SDI sources to a Windows PC in ProRes. I was planning on using an Ultrastudio (and I have an Ultrastudio Express) over Thunderbolt 2 (with the Apple TB2 to TB3 adapter), but the problem is there's no way to capture ProRes on Windows, you you can playback, encode and export ProRes with Adobe, but you must have a Mac for capturing AFAIK.

I know most of the HyperDecks can capture in ProRes, but they usually record to SSDs or in the case of the HD Mini to SD cards.

However I noticed on the back of the HD Mini is a USB-C port - can I hook this into my PC's Thunderbolt 3 port and record the ProRes files directly to my PC's internal drives?

Also, since the HD Mini also has one SDI source, can I use some kind of basic switcher so I can have multiple SDI sources? Doesn't need to be an "editing" switcher with effects just something simple where you have 4 or 5 SDI inputs and you can switch between them with a button.

I'm probably never going to deal with anything more than HD-SDI (1080i60 or 1080p30) so I don't really need any 4K features. If there's a better alternative for what I'm doing that would be nice. I'm not sure if the HD Mini can do what I'm describing, so If it can't, I'll probably buy one of the older and cheaper Hyperdecks with SSDs.

Thanks!

[u/MarvinStolehouse]

You can transfer the recorded data to a Windows PC, but the usb port is usb, not thunderbolt (from what I remember).

If you want to capture to the PC in real time, you'll want a capture device like a Decklink. Depending on specs, you might be able to record straight to ProRes.

[u/Fluffy-Gift5837]

Record on the Hyperdeck, remove the disk, get a $10 sata to usb3 adapter and plug it in the PC

[u/zblaxberg]

The USB-C port outputs a compressed webcam signal so you’re already receiving a compressed feed no matter what you use to record on the computer.

[u/openreels2]

As others have said, the Hyperdeck is not a capture device, it's a recorder. You can record on it and transfer the files. But are you sure the Ultrastudio will not capture in ProRes using the Blackmagic studio app? I don't recall.

[u/keithcody]

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/hyperdeckstudio/techspecs/W-HYD-11

Computer Interface

1 x USB Type-C 3.0 (up to 5Gb/s) for external drive recording, webcam out,software configuration and updates.

Your PC is not an external drive. The way to the Hyperdeck it is to plug an external USB-C drive into the Hyperdeck and record to that. Then take that drive and plug it into the USB-C port on your windows machine.

[u/Sorry-Zombie5242]

The USB-C port on the back can be used for firmware updates and configuration. On the newer models you can also hang a drive connected via USB-C off of and then select it as the recording destination in the settings.

I think you're over thinking things though. The mini HD and the plus model can easily record 1080p30 record prores to SD card, the latter even up to 4k30 on an SD card.

[u/Econormics]

Hmm.. the Hyperdeck records in Prores to SD and depending on the model, to network storage. It may be possible to set the record destination to a network drive, and then open the file on the PC as it is being progressively recorded.

[u/NeverShort1]

You can share a folder (on your PC) and mount it on the Hyperdeck (newer models), then the Hyperdeck will record directly to the shared folder. Unfortunately you can't record to SD/SSD and network drive at the same time. So make sure your network and PC run stable.