Ulanzi Stream Deck D200 is Ulanzi’s latest streaming media peripheral. Designed as a direct competitor to the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2, the Stream Deck D200 is a 14-button (13 programmable) stream controller designed to handle major creative software suites and system control. With its own configuration software, customizable button interface, and a range of supported plug-ins, icon packs and profiles, Ulanzi looks ready to make its mark on the flow controller market.
Much like the Ulanzi DD02 HD live streaming switch, the company’s first switcher, the Stream Deck D200 is Ulanzi’s first streaming panel controller. Inspired by the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2, the D200 has a similar design and construction, but with a slightly larger footprint. This is partly due to the larger LCD buttons on the front of the device. Therefore, the D200 measures 6.06 inches long by 3.6 inches wide, which is comparable to the dimensions of the Loupedeck Live.
With the exception of the double-wide button in the lower right corner, each LCD button (196×196) is arranged symmetrically in a 3×5 pattern along the D200’s panel. Interestingly, while the other 13 buttons are fully programmable, this particular button simply toggles information between time and CPU/RAM usage. It’s an odd choice, as the double width of the button seems ideal for streaming or recording functionality. Other than this deviation, the other 13 buttons function as expected on the Stream Deck controller.
“The Ulanzi Stream Deck D200 offers many of the features found in mainstream streaming deck solutions at about half the price.”
The D200 offers two positioning options. When not in the case, the Stream Deck can lie flat on and stay in place on a table, thanks to rubber feet on the bottom. For those who prefer a more upright posture, the included plastic stand allows the D200 to slide in and stand upright with ease. A small opening on the back of the stand allows a USB Type-C cable to slide through and connect to the platform.
I noticed that while the D200 was firmly attached to the stand, the model I received was unusually tight. It was difficult to align completely flush, with the back edge of the deck being slightly misaligned and leaving a small gap along the top. This does not affect performance and may be specific to my device. Still, when the D200 is mounted on a stand, it’s perfectly positioned for upright use, and every button is easy to access.
The aluminum casing gives the D200 some weight and a premium feel. The unit feels sturdy during use, and the stand is made of fairly sturdy plastic and weighs about 670 grams when assembled. The Ulanzi Stream Deck D200 is heavier, larger and feels more solid overall than the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2.
Returning to the LCD buttons, there are some interesting things to note. As mentioned, each button is larger than the one on the Stream Deck MK.2, which is a feature I’ve grown to appreciate during my testing. Due to their larger size and slightly wider spacing than the Elgato version, these buttons are easier to select without accidentally bumping adjacent buttons.
“The D200’s buttons have quick actuation points, although they initially feel sticky, despite requiring more force than expected.”
As for the tactile experience, the Ulanzie D200, while fully functional, is not as smooth as the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2. The first iteration of the D200 required more force to press the buttons than I was used to. In fact, the actuation point seems to be near the bottom of the travel distance, requiring you to press the button hard to engage the switch. Thankfully, the travel distance is short, which means that while it does require more force to engage the switch, it’s still quick to engage when you press it.
I noticed during initial testing that the buttons would occasionally stick. However, after a period of use they have loosened up and now engage without issue every time. The first iteration of the Elgato Stream Deck MK.1 had similar issues, but that resolved itself with use.
Turning to software testing, Ulanzi developed software called UlanziDeck to support the D200. Taking a page from the Elgato Stream Deck playbook, the layout and functionality of the software are similar. Out of the box, you’ll find support for major creative software suites such as OBS, Streamlabs, Adobe, and DaVinci Resolve. While some profiles are pre-installed on the D200, the in-software marketplace allows you to search for additional software profiles, plug-ins and icons.
Loading and configuring the D200 is easy with pre-existing software configuration files. After selecting the desired profile from the market, you can choose to install and launch it. Once launched, you can use the preset layout or customize it from scratch. During the test, the D200 communicated well with the corresponding software.
OBS performed as expected, with every button shortcut working smoothly and without lag. Likewise, the D200 can easily accommodate Da Vinci’s powerful editing toolset, simplifying and customizing daily editing tasks to best suit your workflow.
“At $69.95, the Ulanzi Stream Deck D200 offers a cost-effective alternative for streamers looking for a reliable entry-level controller.”
For users who want to create custom profiles to manage various Windows 11 or macOS tasks, UlanziDeck software includes pre-built shortcuts and plug-ins to assist. The process is quite simple. If you’ve used Elgato’s software, you’ll feel right at home with UlanziDeck.
Custom icons can also be assigned to individual buttons. Although there is no built-in icon creator like Elgato software, you can easily create square PNG images and load custom icons onto the D200 using Elgato software or any image editor. The process of assigning buttons is similar to Elgato’s software.
One area that may improve over time is plugin support. While there are plug-ins for many major creative software suites, because the D200 is still relatively new, it lacks the community support enjoyed by the likes of Elgato and Loupedeck. While there are options for icon packs, plugins, and profiles, they are not as extensive as those found in other communities.
Thankfully, Ulanzi had the foresight to add the APIRequest plug-in. While I’m not a programmer, this plugin appears to be designed to submit requests to Ulanzi for additional plugin support for specific applications. I hope that over time we will see more community-created plugins to support a wider range of software.
Being a first version, the Ulanzi Stream Deck D200 is a solid piece of hardware. It offers many of the features and options found in mainstream streaming platform solutions at about half the price. While the first iteration could use some improvements—namely smoother button operation and slightly better quality control on the stand’s manufacturing—the D200 is still a solid product from Ulanzi. If you’re looking for a cost-effective Stream Deck controller, the Ulanzi Stream Deck D200 is a great choice. Priced at $69.95, there’s a lot to like about Ulanzi’s first-ever flow deck controller.
