[Peter Chamberlain]

Hi, there are significant ‘performance and stability improvements’ in 8.1.1.

You should upgrade. Before you do, back up the database using the back up button in the database manager.. there should be no problem with the projects being read in the 8.1.1 from the previous 8.1 version so this backup is just another precaution for your valuable work.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

The full version of DaVinci Resolve supports greater than one GPU, greater than HD in the timeline, Stereoscopic grading, real time noise reduction, share database and remote grading. We continue to develop advanced features that will be available in the full version so this list will grow.

With the Windows version coming soon and the same Mac dongle for the full version working on windows we also feel the expanded GPU count for the full version will become more commonly used.

Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

Hi Oliver, the project metadata, not the images, are stored in the database. If you want to back the database up you can using the database manager, or you can export the project to any location on the system.
The metadata stores the grade information for each clip and the location of the media so if you more the images you will need to relink when you open the project again.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

I guess you might have a number of clips in the media pool that are not used. these use RAM resources. Your 20 min timeline is good so I would look at Media pool next.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

In Resolve 8.1 we display ‘HDR’ in the timeline thumbnail on the color page. There is no file name differentiation.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

Joseph and Tim are correct. If you have a RGB file type, like DPX, it will usually be in the full range data structure. When you record that full range DPX to tape to make a HD Rec.709 standard video, the DeckLink scales the full range to the video range. Just like the DeckLink does for your Rec.709 monitor.

The new option lets you render the DPX in the video range and this make a HD deliverable without the need to go to tape.

Consider now that on the input side, you have some DPX files in full and some in video range. The clip by clip selection allows you to scale the video range DPX up to the full range used in the Resolve processing and to match all the other files.

The YUV formats are generally in video range and so you may not have considered the above scenarios before as you would not have seen this workflow.

These new features in 8.1 are to give you more flexibility if you need it, but should not change your normal operation if you don’t need them.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

Hi Andrew, you need to consult the Mac config guide to build a system that can work and for higher than HD res timelines and renders use the full DaVinci Resolve.
You should not need to render each clip to a separate directory, assuming the source clips all have different timecode.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

Without the XML you have to manually select the matching .ari files, put them in the Resolve Media Pool and then you can render the clips as dpx with source timecode so they will match the original .ari timecode. Resolve is very fast at rendering so depending on the amount of source material it may be easier to render everything that you think VFX needs.. its will take a bunch of storage but may save time. Only you can tell depending on how much material there is.

Its common for the workflow for such projects to be defined prior to starting so you can make the file names match, or at least have reel numbers and timecodes that are different for every shot. Resolve can also conform from folder path, file name and reel number and even use the comments in an EDL but in each case establishing the working process prior to the edit, in fact sometime prior to the shoot, makes a world of difference at post time.

Try a test render of the .ari to dpx, use source mode in the render page and you will gauge how long it will take to render all the shots for VFX with the LUT.
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

Hi, welcome to DaVinci Resolve. For system configuration information please refer to our Mac config guide.

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/detail/?sid=3948&pid=4448&os=mac&leg=0
Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

Hi, using Resolve Lite 8.1, no charge download and use from the BMD website, you can import the FCP XML and conform the .ari files, which are the raw Alexa files. In Resolve you can apply the .cube LUTn you have, or select the ARRI LogC to Rec. 709 we supply and then render all the files as dpx for your VFX guys.

Give your urgency, you might need some operational guidance on the details but there are plenty of Resolve users who can assist, or you can hire for a day.

Peter