I have used Davinci Resolve for color grading purposes for clients. I used it pretty consistently but was the only person in the office who could use it. Resolve allows for exceptional color matching and grading opportunities, in a reasonably easy to use interface.,Resolve isn't extremely difficult to learn, at least from a UI perspective. I've found learning the node system isn't a steep learning curve. Users who can visualize how they want a grade or match to look can find their way around the software and use simple tools to get close to their result. People can do this without a lot of experience with the software. Resolve provides extremely complex color grading opportunities, depending on how deeply you wish to use the software. One can fine tune an image, or use a plethora of masks, camera tracking, effects, and small tweaks to get images precisely where they want. It's a versatile software with so many options for every color grading scenario. Resolve is free to use. I'm not too familiar with the NLE function of the program, but as a free software, one can accomplish a lot of work without needing to pay. Noise reduction can be a critical element of Resolve, so in that case, you'll need to purchase the full version to utilize the software to its fullest. Resolve is popular enough that the internet provides many resources, forums, and tutorial videos to better learn the software. This is a big deal for helping to navigate Resolve's capabilities.,Some areas of Resolve can leave inexperienced users feeling a bit handicapped. Multiple user sign-ins can be confusing, and determining where to place the database of users might need troubleshooting. The exporting workflow is a bit finicky and will need to be learned to use for even simple capabilities. Resolve is not friendly on a single screen editing workflow, and even worse on a laptop. Ideally, an editor has multiple screens in the first place, but because a colorist needs to see scopes and monitor, handling both on the same screen, along with all tools is a challenge. This software is best with more screens. While the NLE capability of Resolve makes for a quick editing workspace, my little experience with it leads me to the conclusion that unless someone desires a completely free alternative to other NLE software, Resolve is not your best friend. Other programs are better.,9,We received dongles for Resolve when we purchase BMCCs for work, so it was an easy choice to work with Resolve for us. Buying the software outright might be different. Resolve allows for professional coloring work, which means you can tell clients you can have the specialized software used to create custom looks for their videos. This is a huge benefit.,Adobe Premiere Pro

DaVinci Resolve Reviews

Score 9.0 out of 10

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May 03, 2018

"DaVinci Resolve Review"

Chris Hecox

Business Owner

Lucky Whisker LLCOnline Media, 1-10 employees

Score 9 out of 10

Vetted Review

Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Pros and Cons

Resolve isn't extremely difficult to learn, at least from a UI perspective. I've found learning the node system isn't a steep learning curve. Users who can visualize how they want a grade or match to look can find their way around the software and use simple tools to get close to their result. People can do this without a lot of experience with the software.
Resolve provides extremely complex color grading opportunities, depending on how deeply you wish to use the software. One can fine tune an image, or use a plethora of masks, camera tracking, effects, and small tweaks to get images precisely where they want. It's a versatile software with so many options for every color grading scenario.
Resolve is free to use. I'm not too familiar with the NLE function of the program, but as a free software, one can accomplish a lot of work without needing to pay. Noise reduction can be a critical element of Resolve, so in that case, you'll need to purchase the full version to utilize the software to its fullest.
Resolve is popular enough that the internet provides many resources, forums, and tutorial videos to better learn the software. This is a big deal for helping to navigate Resolve's capabilities.

Some areas of Resolve can leave inexperienced users feeling a bit handicapped. Multiple user sign-ins can be confusing, and determining where to place the database of users might need troubleshooting. The exporting workflow is a bit finicky and will need to be learned to use for even simple capabilities.
Resolve is not friendly on a single screen editing workflow, and even worse on a laptop. Ideally, an editor has multiple screens in the first place, but because a colorist needs to see scopes and monitor, handling both on the same screen, along with all tools is a challenge. This software is best with more screens.
While the NLE capability of Resolve makes for a quick editing workspace, my little experience with it leads me to the conclusion that unless someone desires a completely free alternative to other NLE software, Resolve is not your best friend. Other programs are better.

Likelihood to Recommend

Resolve is great and offers so many neat features, like camera tracking, expansive control over your image's color, and an amazing noise reduction plugin. This is a great option for coloring, and I'd recommend most production teams looking for a robust coloring software to look into Resolve and give it a go. It's worth it, even though you'll have to break away from working in Premiere Pro, etc.

If you don't have the money to pay for the full version, it might be better to just use the free version (which is still great. It's a steal honestly) and perhaps down the road pay for the full thing.

Read Chris Hecox's full review

About DaVinci Resolve

Australian company Blackmagic Design offers their video editing application DaVinci Resolve for a wide range of high quality ultra HD effects, render queue, and video uploading options among other features.

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DaVinci Resolve Technical Details

Operating Systems:	Unspecified
Mobile Application:	No