Connecting Canon EOS M50 Mark II to Blackmagic UltraStudio Express

[Aahz]

Hello everyone!
I have run into a really harsh situation and very much need help from you video professionals.

I own a Blackmagic UltraStudio Express device that connects to Windows 8.1 (Boot Camp) on Macbook Pro 2015 via Thunderbolt 2 port.

Since my older video camera connected to UltraStudio Express via HDMI port is properly recognized in Blackmagic Media Express software, i was sure any other newer camera would also be easily recognized by UltraStudio Express via HDMI, so i bought a popular and highly suggested camera - Canon EOS M50 Mark II that has a micro HDMI clean output.

No matter what settings i tried UltraStudio Express does not display any video from Canon EOS M50 Mark II, only a black screen.

There is no issue with the micro HDMI to HDMI cable or Canon EOS M50 Mark II itself, because i connected it to a simple monitor via HDMI and video displays just fine.

Could it be something about the HDMI video signal Canon EOS M50 Mark II sends out that makes it incompatible with Blackmagic UltraStudio Express HDMI input?

Could it be that the problem is about Blackmagic Desktop Video Windows 10.3.5 version, and installing a newer version could help detect video signal from Canon EOS M50 Mark II?

Desperately looking for an advice.

[sum_guy]

I doubt UltraStudio is compatible with boot camp. It's more likely to work on a native Apple OS directly.

[Aahz]

UltraStudio Express works on windows, which in my case is installed on a MacBook via boot camp. Actually i have successfully connected and older video camera (Canon VIXIA HV40) via HDMI it it was recognized by UltraStudio Express just fine and i could see live video stream.

The issue is probably the incompatibility between Canon EOS M50 Mark II HDMI output and Blackmagic UltraStudio Express HDMI input, as UltraStudio Express is old, from between 2012 - 2015 with HDMI 1.3, while Canon EOS M50 Mark II started in 2020 with HDMI 2.0. But that's just an assumption i am not sure about, that's why i would really use some advice from experts on how to solve the issue.

[Eric-jan]

Just googled, and seeing lots of people have the same problem, in general: don't use any "auto" setting, but exact matching resolution/frame rate settings, you could try using an HDMI passthrough device, maybe something goes wrong on the EDID level, or try your luck in the BlackMagic Design forum, that seems a more obvious choice in your case, because the UltraStudio Express seems to be the problem, also like said, it's old device, and isn't supported anymore, still, i think an different HDMI cable could work, displaying and capturing/transfering, are two different "means"… latest firm and software are used for both camera and Ultrastudio Express ?
btw. just check with another device (monitor?) if the camera really outputs the correct values on the HDMI output, (read out)

[Aahz]

latest firm and software are used for both camera and Ultrastudio Express ?

Not really, UltraStudio software i installed is kind of old, but it is compatible with Windows 8.1 i use, so is there is chance installing a newer version would help UltraStudio properly recognize the Canon's HDMI video signal?

btw. just check with another device (monitor?) if the camera really outputs the correct values on the HDMI output

actually connecting Canon camera to a relatively recent LG LCD monitor via HDMI works just fine, there is a normal video stream present.

you could try using an HDMI passthrough device, maybe something goes wrong on the EDID level

i am really considering buying a sort of HDMI passthrough device or may be a HDMI to SDI converter to use SDI instead of HDMI for UltraStudio video input.

[Eric-jan]

Since you're using older hard and software, you also need to be carefull with updating….(so also no mix-up between 32/64bit drivers) better ask for advise on BlackMagic Design forum….. Okay, "works fine" is not all … you really need to confirm … does the (OSD)screen shows you which resolution it receives ? also interlaced or progressive in a good fashion… (the monitor/tv osd-screen shows 1080p50, 1080i50, 1080p30, etc..)

[Aahz]

better ask for advise on BlackMagic Design forum

That was the first ting I've done but unfortunately forum staff does not seem to be very responsive and just the post approval takes a week or so

you really need to confirm … does the (OSD)screen shows you which resolution it receives ?

not sure how to get that information on a regular monitor, in general i have the feel that the Canon camera does not send any specific resolution/framerate by default, but instead it just kind of "replies" to device request sending out what is being asked for by remote device. So the issue here is probably the fact that UltraStudio does not "ask" for anything specific resolution/framerate, it is a pass-through only input i guess

(the monitor/tv osd-screen shows 1080p50, 1080i50, 1080p30, etc..)

For example the monitor i connected would show that it gets a 1080i50 from Canon

[Eric-jan]

The Blackmagic UltraStudio Express is an old model..(Thunderbolt2) it's not supported anymore, try to find a capture device that's supported, maybe also for 4K.

[Aahz]

The Blackmagic UltraStudio Express is an old model..(Thunderbolt2) it's not supported anymore, try to find a capture device that's supported, maybe also for 4K.

You mean it isn't supported by whom/what?