Does DaVinci Resolve for Mac require a control surface?

[Jack Jones]

Can’t remember where I saw the quote from BMD (possibly from Walter) but the answer was a clear no.

Minimum requirements sort of look like this so far*;
– BMD DaVinci Software
– Intel Mac Pro with nVidia card (GTX 285 is recommended so far)
– Grade Controller (currently only Tangent Wave or DaVinci Panels work – Othe panels expected to be compatible)
– BMD I/O Card (Decklink HD Extreme – Other I/O expected to be compatible)
– Grade Monitor (Search the forums but recommended models include FSI, Cinetal, Panasonic Pro Series)
– Waveform Monitor (Suggest BMD Ultrascope with a PC, or something like a Tektronix)

All in all, I estimate the minimum** rig to cost in the region of £9,000. That is an absolute bargain!

Obviously you’ll be wanting to add a fast RAID system to that, or integrate it into a fiber network, as well as maybe getting the full BMD controller, multiple graphics cards and correctly controlling the conditions of your studio. I believe ~£17k~£20k gets you something very client friendly.

Personally? I’m looking at using two machines, one as an encoding/assisting machine and one as the main suite… Unless Apple give me some more PCIe Slots and a few USB3 holes that is!!

*These are my speculated specifications based on the press releases and Walter Biscardi’s information he gathered when speaking to Grant Petty of BMD. Purely speculation. Please correct me on any mistakes you feel I might have made.
**Very minimum specs for a broadcast capable suite, from the information available. Assuming ~£1k software, ~£2k Mac Pro, ~£1k controller, ~£1k I/O card, ~£3k grade monitor, ~£1k waveform monitor.

[Darin Wooldridge]

You might be able to run without one however I’m not sure it would be very efficient. I know many people use the lustre without one. I will try it Monday and let you know.

The wave is only $1500 in my opion worth the price tag.

[Illya Laney]

I looked through the current manual a few weeks ago. The main way to manipulate the lift, gamma, and gain is through the trackballs, but I didn’t see a GUI for the “hue wheels.” Basically nothing for a mouse to grab on to. Is this correct Darin or did I just miss that part?

If that’s correct then it seems like mouse users would be forced to use custom curves to be efficient.

Motion Design, Color, Editing
Simulated Wood Grain Cabinet Inc.
(Seriously though, that’s the name on the paycheck)

[Peter Chamberlain]

Resolve can be operated with a mouse and keyboard (with shortcut keys) as the GUI offers more than just feedback on status it also provides click and slide functionality for most operations. Mouse or multi-touch trackpad operation is fine if you have a lot of time, for on-set or quick pre-grades on an assistant station (and on the plane flying home from NAB), however for a full grade, one of the biggest limitations to the creative flow when grading would be adjusting just one function at a time…i.e. mouse or pen operation.

While we showed the “Wave” at NAB, we are working on a SDK for the other panel vendors so Resolve on Mac will support a number of other panels soon. Very soon.

The DaVinci Resolve control surface, as used on Mac and Linux versions, offer 40+ live controls and another 40+ live keys so your creative influence over the images can flow rather than the start/stop/start operation with a mouse or pen. Our 25+ years of panel experience with colorist feedback refined into the layout offers an ergonomically designed panel that is fast for colorists to use on those 18 hr grading shifts and doesn’t restrict the creative process.

Besides, the BMD Resolve panels look so cool in the suite.

Peter

[Arnie Schlissel]

[Peter Chamberlain] “While we showed the “Wave” at NAB, we are working on a SDK for the other panel vendors so Resolve on Mac will support a number of other panels soon. Very soon. “

I think you just made a lot of people very happy with this statement!

Arnie
Post production is not an afterthought!
https://www.arniepix.com/

[Darin Wooldridge]

Thanks Peter,

No need to try what I hate doing. The process slows down so much when forced to look at the screen rather than just hit a button my brain is mapped to hit.

As as a user who enjoys the current / old resolve panel set and has corrected entire features with the mouse and keyboard, the panel upgrade is a no brainer. As soon as it can be afforded I will shelf my wave and move up to the latest black magic set.

And you are so correct in saying.

“the BMD Resolve panels look so cool in the suite.”
add some scopes, a touch screen router, lighting controls and it looks like a star trek episode.. The clients eat it up..

[Ryan Brown]

So what’s the word? Any new panel support yet…?

Ryan Brown
DowntownBrownEnt.

[Andy Mees]

Last I heard, JL Cooper Eclipse support was in the pipeline … but MC Color, not so much.