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How to control a Blackmagic HyperDeck via command line (Telnet)

By Gabriel · 2026-11-01

Short answer: open Terminal on a Mac and type nc <HyperDeck IP> 9993, or open Command Prompt on Windows and type telnet <HyperDeck IP> 9993. Once connected, type record and press Enter to start recording, and stop to stop. No Blackmagic program is needed.

Do you want to control your HyperDeck via Telnet or command line, without using their software? In this video I show you step by step how to do it on Mac and on Windows, and how to install Telnet on Windows if you don't have it.

The HyperDeck Ethernet Protocol commands

If you go to the Blackmagic Design website, you will find the HyperDeck Ethernet Protocol. You can download that PDF, and it has all the commands: for instance play if you want to play, a range, record if you want to record, and stop if you want to stop. In my case, all I care about is record and stop, but if you need anything else, everything is there. The only thing I wasn't able to find is a command to delete or format the SD cards.

How to find the HyperDeck IP address

To connect, you need the IP of the device. If you are wondering how to know it, download the HyperDeck Studio software (HyperDeck Studio Plus in my case). In the software you will see where it says IP address; that is the IP you will use. Very simple. The port is always the same: 9993.

Control the HyperDeck from a Mac Terminal

1. Press Command and Space, type terminal and press Enter.
2. Type nc, a space, the IP of the device, a space, and the port number 9993. In the video description I use nc 10.0.0.62 9993.
3. Press Enter and you are connected to the HyperDeck.
4. Type record and press Enter, and it will start recording.
5. To stop, type stop and press Enter. That's it, you don't need anything else.

Control the HyperDeck from Windows Command Prompt

1. Click Start and type command. Instead of Terminal like on the Mac, here it is Command Prompt. Click it; you don't have to be administrator or anything like that.
2. Type telnet, then the IP, a space, and 9993, then press Enter.
3. You are in. Type record and press Enter to start recording.
4. Type stop and press Enter to stop.

Just one person at a time will be able to use this connection.

Why use the command line instead of the software

With the command line you can start, stop and check the HyperDeck from your computer fast, with no program needed. It helps when the recorder is in a rack or in another room, and it is the easy way to start automating your recording, because the same two commands, record and stop, are all you need for a basic workflow.

How to install Telnet on Windows

1. Click Start and type Control Panel, then open it.
2. Go to Programs.
3. Click Turn Windows features on or off.
4. In the list, find Telnet Client, check it and click OK.
5. Wait a minute until everything is installed, and that's it.

Security warning: Telnet is not secure

The only thing is that this is not secure. Anybody with Telnet on your network is able to control your device, so make sure to secure your network. That said, it is the easy way to control the recorder from your computer, for example when the HyperDeck is in a rack or in another room. If you need help, just let me know, you can hire me. I am in the US, and if you need tools or electronics, I can ship them to you.

Frequently asked questions

What port does the HyperDeck use for Telnet control?

Port 9993. On a Mac use nc followed by the IP and 9993; on Windows use telnet followed by the IP and 9993.

What are the HyperDeck commands to record and stop?

Type record and press Enter to start recording, and stop and press Enter to stop. The full list is in the HyperDeck Ethernet Protocol PDF on the Blackmagic website.

How do I find my HyperDeck IP address?

Open the HyperDeck Studio software from Blackmagic; it shows the IP address of the device.

Can I format the HyperDeck SD card from the command line?

I wasn't able to find a command to delete or format the SD cards in the protocol document.