The Best Video Studio Recorders (2021)

Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio HD Mini

New model, new low price, same great performance. One incredible bang for the buck!

Highlights include:

• 3G-SDI input and output
• Timecode input and output with built-in timecode generator
• Reference input and output with built-in sync generator
• USB-C output for recording to hard drives or a webcam output
• HDR Support
• 1 Gbps Ethernet connection for fast file transfers
• Redundant power options

Inputs: 3G-SDI

Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 2048 x 1080 at 60 fps

Supported Codecs: ProRes (MOV), DnXHD (MOV and MXF), H.264

Media: 2x SD Card Slots and 1x USB-C Output (Supported SD Cards & USB-C Drives)

My Favorite Feature: New low price compared to older model

Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio 4K Pro

A much needed and welcome update to the 1RU Hyperdecks.

Just a few of the great features:

• 12G-SDI input and output
• HDMI input and output
• H.265 and H.264 recording (up to 4:2:2 10-bit quality)
• Dual SD card slots and dual SSD slots
• Timecode input and output with built-in timecode generator
• Reference input and output with built-in sync generator
• USB-C output for recording to hard drives or a webcam output
• HDR Support
• 1 Gbps Ethernet connection for fast file transfers
• Redundant power options

Inputs: 12G-SDI and HDMI (Type A - Full Size)

Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps or DCI formats up to 4096x2160 at 30 fps

Supported Codecs: ProRes (MOV), DnXHD (MOV and MXF), H.265, H.265 SDI (4:2:2 10-bit), H.264 SDI (4:2:2 10-bit), H.264

Media: 2x SSD Slots, 2x SD Card Slots, and 1x USB-C Output (Supported SSDs, SD Cards, & USB-C Drives)

My Favorite Feature: H.265 and H.264 recording in qualities up to 4:2:2 10-bit

AJA Ki Pro Ultra 12G

Capable of recording 1 channel up to 4K60 or 4 channels up to 1080p60.

Classic Ki Pro reliability at less than $1,000 per channel of 1080p60 recording.

Inputs: 4x 3G-SDI (Quad, Dual, or Single Link), 4x Fiber LC (3G-SDI), and HDMI 2.0

Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps

Supported Codecs: ProRes, DnXHD, and DnXHR (up to 4K30)

Media: 2x AJA Pak SSD Slots (More Info)

My Favorite Feature: Reliability

Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio HD Plus

Don't let the "HD" in the name fool you!

Think of this as the updated version of the old Hyperdeck Studio Mini, now with HDMI input and more welcome changes:

• 6G-SDI input and output
• HDMI input and output
• H.264 recording at up to 4:2:2 10-bit (up to 1080p60)
• Timecode input and output with built-in timecode generator
• Reference input and output with built-in sync generator
• USB-C output for recording to hard drives or a webcam output
• HDR Support
• 1 Gbps Ethernet connection for fast file transfers
• Redundant power options

*The Blackmagic Design Hyperdeck Studio HD Pro offers the same basic features with the addition of 2x SSD slots.

Inputs: 6G-SDI and HDMI (Type A - Full Size)

Supported Formats: Broadcast and DCI formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 30 fps or 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

Supported Codecs: ProRes (MOV), DnXHD (MOV and MXF), H.264 SDI (up to 1080p60), and H.264 (up to 1080p60)

Media: 2x SD Card Slots and 1x USB-C Output (Supported SD Cards & USB-C Drives)

My Favorite Feature: H.264 SDI recording (up to 1080p60) offers 4:2:2 10-bit at lower file sizes compared to ProRes or DnXHD

Atomos Shogun Studio II

Feature-packed at an incredible price.

Record 2 channels of 4K60 simultaneously.

Or record up to 8 channels of 1080p60 simultaneously. Wow!

2 separate (and super bright!) 7" monitors bring everything you need front and center.

Supports both HDDs and SSDs for budget-friendly media options.

Inputs: 1x 12G-SDI, 4x 3G-SDI, and 1x HDMI (per channel)

Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps

Supported Codecs: ProRes RAW, ProRes, DNxHR, and Adobe CDNG

Media: 2.5" HDD or SSD (1 slot per channel - Supported Drives)

My Favorite Feature: 8 channels of simultaneous 1080p60 recording in a 3RU recorder

AJA Ki Pro Go

Record up to 4 channels of 1080p60 in H.264.

Great for quick turnarounds and backups.

Inputs: 4x 3G-SDI and 4x HDMI 1.4a

Supported Formats: Broadcast formats up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps

Supported Codecs: H.264 (maximum bitrate of 15 Mbps)

Media: 5x USB Ports

My Favorite Feature: Simplicity