DaVinci Resolve Studio – Exclusive Features for the Paid Version

May 7, 2016

Learn how Resolve Studio 12.5, the paid version of Resolve, is starting to get siginificant features that free users will want.


Series

Version 12.5 Marks New Thinking About ‘Resolve Studio’

Whenever a major new version of DaVinci Resolve is released, the first thing I do is print out the Read Me in the installer. Blackmagic tends to list out every new feature, broken down overall task. It a useful document. But one of the things I noticed this time around were the DaVinci Resolve Studio exclusive feature.

DaVinci Resolve Studio Rising

For years, the only real differentiator between DaVinci Resolve ‘paid’ and DaVinci Resolve ‘free’ is that the paid version supports shared workgroups, free doesn’t. With the release of Resolve 12.5, that is changing.

Over and over, the documentation keeps calling out newly added features that have nothing to do with workgroup enhancements. Some Studio-only features are things that editors and colorists purchase a plug-in, to supplement Resolve’s core toolset.

Each of these features, on their own, don’t make for a compelling upgrade to the $995 DaVinci Resolve Studio (or $495 Mac App Store version). But taken together, they are starting to add up.

This Insight will cover updates to existing Studio-only Features, plus explore new ones

  • We’ll take a quick look at the changes to the Temporal and Spatial Noise Reduction tools – plus explain a more cosmetic change to these tools.
  • Then we’ll look at the HDR (high dynamic range) options reserved specifically for DaVinci Resolve Studio users.
DaVinci Resolve Studio 12.5 seems the start of a new trend.

Blackmagic is starting to think of ways to add compelling reasons to upgrade to the Studio version—beyond merely adding ‘studio-level’ features. For years, owners of DaVinci Resolve Studio have been feeling slighted – if not for the free updates they might have gotten ornery about having paid for software with features they almost never use (or available at a much cheaper price elsewhere). Starting with 12.5, Studio is standing on  its own. By the time we get through Part 2 it’ll be obvious that Resolve Studio is for editors and colorists who have client-driven needs that they need to fulfill.

What I like is that the free Davinci Resolve 12.5 isn’t hobbled software. It’s fully functional in every sense of the word. The new features being held back for Studio users really are features that client-driven professionals want. For everyone else, they nice-to-have features but not deal-killers. I join with Blackmagic hoping that this compels more users to upgrade to the paid version… since that’ll encourage Blackmagic to continue with their current blistering pace of software development.

The next Insight will finish up this discussion

There are almost another dozen individual features, exclusive to Resolve Studio v12.5 that have nothing to do with collaborative workgroups. And we’ll cover those in detail.

Enjoy!

-pi


Comments

Homepage Forums DaVinci Resolve Studio – Exclusive Features for the Paid Version

  • Resolve Vs Resolve Studio – Because BlackMagic Design does not advise to install both versions on the same machine, there is one thing I’d really like to see in the future. Kind of an ‘intelligent’ Resolve: you only download one version on their website and install it on your computer. When you launch it, if no dongle is plugged (or unplugged while using it), then only Resolve’s features are available, while if the dongle is there, then you have access to full features.

    This would allow to always have ‘at least’ Resolve running if you forget your dongle on the road, or if moving to a client. But as of today, if you have installed Resolve Studio and forget your dongle, then you’re just screwed. I have submitted this request to BMD, hope they’ll be able to manage it in the future. If you think of it, many plugins are running this way (FxFactory ones for example): the plugin trial has full features but watermarked render, unless you provide a working licence which removes the watermark. Why not replicating this with Resolve becoming Resolve Studio when the dongle is plugged, and vice-versa?


  • Marc Wielage
    Member

    My best advice to Christophe is to buy a second dongle. They do sometimes fail, and a backup is only about $300-$400 on eBay. If your livelihood depends on it, and you have a delivery that has to go out over a weekend, this is your best failsafe option.

  • That makes sense Marc!
    Anyway, a toggling app from full to restricted features [dongle ON/OFF] wouldn’t hurt. 😉


  • Patrick Inhofer
    Guest

    I’m with you Christophe. That’s a great feature request.

    Marc, I hadn’t thought of the ‘dongle dying’ thing. I’m still using the one I bought with Resolve 8. Luckily, I do have a backup (which is the one I bring on the road with me).


  • Steve Sebban
    Guest

    I agree with you Christophe. I never understood why there’s two separate versions. Never though about a failing dongle though… I’ll get a backup one right away…


  • marc fisher
    Member

    Earlier version used to do exactly this. version 7 and 8. No dongle, start up in “lite” mode… So i imagine that should be an easy thing to implement , again. it’s just the push of a button right?? 😉


  • Patrick Inhofer
    Guest

    I don’t think the ‘Lite’ version was introduced until v9.


  • marc fisher
    Member

    ah, you’re probably right.. it’s been a few years and many updates.. 😉

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