[Peter Chamberlain]

The GPU in both the Mac and Linux versions does all the PTZR calculations (Transformer in old systems) as well as the color grading work. If you have 2K source files and a HD deliverable there will be a resize for every shot. This uses some of the GPU power, but will still allow a lot of grading layers in realtime. For projects with HD source and final output you can still obviously resize or rotate the image for artistic benefit but otherwise the GPU would just be for grading.

While the GTX285 for Mac is a powerful GPU and offers quite a few HD layers, the 4GPU Linux systems offer 20+ nodes of 2K in realtime. Render speed is mostly limited by disk performance and file system and not by color correction processing, thus Resolve is able to render faster than real time even at 2K in the Linux system.

As an aside – Resolve is 64 bit and uses either Linux or Snow Leopard both with multi-threading. More/faster CPU’s in the system help in the none grading/PTZR part of the application.

Pre BMD Resolve systems are generally similar in speed or slower than the new Mac systems. As a reminder for existing Resolve facilities, we offer an extremely attractive software upgrade program, just call your DaVinci Resolve distributor.

Peter

[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

[Peter Chamberlain]

I am working with a number of third party panel companies to add to the list of panels supported by Resolve on Mac. While the Wave is the first we have tested/certified I believe others will not be far behind.
Stay tuned.

Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

The Linux configurations are specified by us so you and the DaVinci Resolve distributors can be confident that they work, and of course we can assist with support. Please contact your local authorized specialist DaVinci Distributor. The Mac based systems are available from all BMD distributors.

Linux models include, 1GPU, 4GPU, 4GPU-3D, 8GPU, 8GPU-3D, 16GPU and 16GPU-3D. More GPU’s mean more realtime corrections. All models also have the option to add a Coprocessor or two to accelerate the RAW decoding of r3d, so half res premium debayer on the timeline is practical. Customers with multiple systems can share a common database of projects using the Database server.

BMD designs and manufacturers the DaVinci Control Surface (Panels) and the application. You can use a Decklink HD Extreme for vtr I/O and the grading monitor feed but all other hardware is sourced and supplied by the BMD authorized DaVinci Specialist Distributors.

Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

We will review the Red Rocket integration but for now, consider that there are only 4 PCIe slots in the MacPro and only two extra power connectors, which we use when a GTX285 is installed.

Peter

[Peter Chamberlain]

I can confirm, the software only version for US$995 will work with the new BMD panels, via USB, and we will add third party panel support as quickly as we can. Tangent Wave is already implemented.

The legacy 2K panels are only applicable for the Linux version.

Peter