The Blackmagic Design Streaming Decoder 4K is engineered to transform H.264 or H.265 streams from the Streaming Encoder into SDI and HDMI video outputs. Various Blackmagic Design cameras, including the Blackmagic Studio Camera Pro, PYXIS, URSA Cine, and URSA Broadcast G2, come with integrated streaming capabilities, allowing users to stream directly from the cameras without needing extra hardware. This setup facilitates direct video transmission between remote locations. Additionally, a 12G-SDI reference input allows users to connect SDI tally, camera control, and talkback, sending these signals back to the encoder.

Both the front and rear panels of the decoder include USB-C connectivity for tethering high-speed 5G and 4G phones. In the event of an internet failure, the device automatically switches to the connected phone's data connection, although users can prioritize either the Ethernet or phone connection, as per their specific applications. For cameras without built-in streaming, the Blackmagic Streaming Encoder can be used, with control embedded in the encoder's SDI monitoring output, connecting to the SDI input of the Blackmagic camera. The ultraportable device is only 5.5" wide, allowing users to align it with up to two other optional devices on a rackmount unit, using only 1 RU of space. The decoder comes with the Blackmagic Streaming Utility software.