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DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve

Overview

What is 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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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

DaVinci Resolve has become an invaluable tool for a wide range of users and industries. Many individuals have learned the art of color …
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Pricing

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DaVinci Resolve 17

$0.00

On Premise
Free

DaVinci Resolve Studio 17

$295.00

On Premise
perpetual license

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Details

What is DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci Resolve Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Reviewers rate Usability highest, with a score of 9.9.

The most common users of DaVinci Resolve are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(93)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

DaVinci Resolve has become an invaluable tool for a wide range of users and industries. Many individuals have learned the art of color grading and sound reduction through the instructional exercises provided by the software. For video editors, both internal and external projects have been seamlessly edited using DaVinci Resolve, whether it's for quick edits, trimming, or enhancing webinars and short marketing videos. The software's exceptional color matching and grading capabilities in an accessible user interface have made it a go-to choice for professionals seeking high-quality results.

From major video production needs to training purposes within organizations, DaVinci Resolve has proven its versatility. Users from various fields, such as the outreach team creating stunning documentaries and promotional content or the audio-visual team assembling videos for church services, rely on the software to deliver exceptional outcomes. Additionally, individuals in education and personal projects find value in DaVinci Resolve's ability to create short movies or videos with advanced features like color correction and synchronization.

In corporate settings, departments responsible for communication and digital modeling utilize DaVinci Resolve's rich feature set to effectively convey messages to customers through animations, simulations, and video clips. The software's industry-leading color grading capabilities allow for the delivery of clear and impactful visuals. However, some users have encountered issues with output quality, leading to frustration. Despite these challenges, DaVinci Resolve has proven instrumental in streamlining the production of promotional media by providing a comprehensive platform with consistent results. Moreover, many users have switched to DaVinci Resolve from other editing software primarily due to its impressive color correction capabilities and smooth synchronization of multiple sources.

For those looking to create short-form videos quickly, DaVinci Resolve offers customization options with animated text that are ideal for knowledge bases or external stakeholders. The software empowers users to expedite the creation process while maintaining high-quality visuals. Overall, DaVinci Resolve caters to a broad spectrum of users across different industries with its user-friendly interface, powerful color grading tools, and ability to work with various media formats.

Comprehensive Software Package: Users have expressed that DaVinci Resolve is a comprehensive software package that offers a wide range of tools for video editing, motion graphics, audio processing, and exporting. Many reviewers appreciate the all-in-one approach as it eliminates the need for multiple software programs and provides everything they need in a single application.

Free Version Availability: The availability of a free version of DaVinci Resolve has been seen as a significant advantage by users. It allows them to try out the software and learn its tools before committing to a purchase. This free version acts as a valuable learning tool and helps users evaluate the software's capabilities.

Intuitive User Interface: Users have felt that DaVinci Resolve has a relatively easy learning curve, particularly from a user interface perspective. They find the node system intuitive, allowing them to navigate the software and achieve desired results even without much prior experience. This user-friendly interface makes it easier for beginners to get started with the software.

Confusing and Non-Intuitive User Interface: Some users have expressed frustration with the user interface of DaVinci Resolve, finding it confusing and not intuitive, particularly for beginners. They feel that navigating through the software can be challenging and may require a significant learning curve.

Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Multiple users have mentioned that DaVinci Resolve has a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to advanced features like motion graphics and compositing. They feel that mastering these functionalities requires time and effort.

Lack of Integration with External Software: Several users have pointed out that DaVinci Resolve lacks integration with external software such as image editing, 3D modeling, and music creation tools. This inconvenience restricts their ability to seamlessly work with other software they rely on for their projects.

Users commonly recommend the following about DaVinci Resolve:

  • Take tutorials from YouTube to learn how to use the software effectively.
  • Try the free version first before considering purchasing the full studio version.
  • Ensure you have a high-quality GPU and a fast computer for optimal performance when using DaVinci Resolve.

These recommendations emphasize the value of learning through tutorials, exploring the free version, and having suitable hardware for a smooth editing experience with DaVinci Resolve.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-11 of 11)
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Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
DaVinci Resolve is a feature-rich, high-end video editing/post-production software program. It offers the features and capabilities of competitors but it does so for free! It also has the industries best color grading. DaVinci Resolve will work with pretty much any medium or format that is out there. Did I mention it is free!?
  • Multiple formats and resolutions.
  • Industries best color grading.
  • Fast processing.
  • Fairly low system requirements.
  • The interface can be confusing.
  • Not as well integrated with outside software as some competitors.
  • Noise reduction only available in the paid version.
DaVinci Resolve will handle pretty much anything you throw at it. The learning curve is a little steep so it is probably not well suited for a beginner.
Anthony K. Bryan | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I learned so much from this instructional exercise, and I appreciated how the educator is an expert all-day colorist. The section on sound reduction was particularly instructive. I noticed a few inconsistencies between certain methodologies in this instructional exercise and approaches suggested in the Advanced Color Grading in Resolve 15 instructional exercise (e.g., where to place sound reduction in the hub tree), but this is to be expected given that there is no one right way to do any of this. I also learned a lot about Resolve's "Restoration" modules for working with authentic film. This instructional exercise will come up again and again in my work.
  • DaVinci Resolve gives clients broad assets to make figuring out how to involve the product as simple as conceivable skillfully. It likewise has an extremely energetic client local area for ideal internet-based commitment.
  • Sound handling with Fairlight is additionally non-similar to whatever else out there. It offers exceptionally progressed highlights for the greatest sound on video projects.
  • Working with various sound modules can get a piece bunched with new windows for each. Less difficult and more coordinated usefulness may be better.
  • A portion of the console's easy routes for executing ordinarily utilized capacities can be confounding and carves out the opportunity to become accustomed.
  • Perhaps they could investigate making a more essential variant that doesn't need such a lot of CPU ability to work.
I learned so much from this instructional exercise, and I appreciated how the educator is an expert all-day colorist. The section on sound reduction was particularly instructive. I noticed a few inconsistencies between certain methodologies in this instructional exercise and approaches suggested in the Advanced Color Grading in Resolve 15 instructional exercise (e.g., where to place sound reduction in the hub tree), but this is to be expected given that there is no one right way to do any of this. I also learned a lot about Resolve's "Restoration" modules for working with authentic film. This instructional exercise will come up again and again in my work.
Fred Xorla Adzoyi | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We rely on DaVinci Resolve for most of our major video production needs. In 2018, while running low on funding and could no longer afford to outsource development of our extension videos and other project educational materials, I took on the challenge to brush up my skills and train other staff as well. Currently, DaVinci Resolve is one of 8 software products all new mid-level staff have to learn within the first 3 months of joining. Over the last few years, as our scope of work has increased, so have our uses of DaVinci Resolve. Our Outreach Team now use it to create stunning video documentaries of our projects, as well as for promotional content for upcoming events.
  • Color correction in DaVinci Resolve is extremely advanced, but also relatively easy to execute when compared to other alternatives.
  • DaVinci Resolve provides users with extensive resources to make learning how to competently use the software as easy as possible. It also has a very vibrant user community for optimal online engagements.
  • Audio processing with Fairlight us also non-comparable to anything else out there. It offers very advanced features for the highest quality audio on video projects.
  • Working with multiple audio plugins can get a bit clustered with new windows for each. A simpler and more integrated functionality might be better.
  • Some of the keyboard shortcuts for executing commonly used functions can be confusing and takes time to get used to.
  • Maybe they could look into creating a more basic version that does not require so much CPU capacity to operate.
DaVinci Resolve is great for working on projects where the source or original audio is not great. With Fairlight, you would be able to do so much work to improve the quality of the audio from right within DaVinci without the need to switch to audio enhancing software. Final output rendering in DaVinci is also very stress free. It does not take as long, and rarely ever produces glitchy content.
On the other hand, there are bugs that make the software crash unexpectedly and might cause loss of hours of work if not being consistently saved.
Score 1 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Nope. Continually getting errors and snafus on output. This is intolerable especially after we switched to [editing] from others. There is a reason why professionals use AVID to edit and Resolve ONLY for color [correction]. The rest is garbage. We are so let down by the entire environment. Enough. Enough. Avid for cuts your color house et Al will handle the rest. If you’re on your own, chances are you’ll lose money and time with this platform. We are delivering currently. Today. And it’s failing us. Done with this crap.
  • Output
  • Media offline
  • Hiccups everywhere
  • Glitchy
  • Don’t put updates out
  • Be wary if you’re on M1 macs.
  • Be wary anyway
There is a reason why edits are done in AVID and color corrected perhaps with the color correction on resolve these days. Other than that edit, fusion, Fairlight and deliver are worthless in our 25-year experience. We have cut in film, tape and seen the technology change. We are sticking to what works and won’t kill our business when we attempt to deliver projects using anything Balckmagic except for Color.
Michael Romano | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
I am using DaVinci Resolve to edit some marketing videos, and I am not a professional video editor.
  • Trimming
  • Clipping
  • Color Correcting
  • Slow Motion
  • Ease Of Use
  • Insane Value
  • A bit overwhelming.
Frankly, I think DaVinci Resolve is absolutely amazing and I'm shocked that it's free. The people at Blackmagic Design are very generous to give away a free version-- especially in light of how powerful the free version is. I used to use Sony Vegas, CyberLink PowerDirector, and Adobe Premier Elements, but I may go full-time to just using DaVinci Resolve. In using it for only a few hours, I felt it was already more intuitive and powerful than any of those other programs.
Shubham Verma | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I am using this software specifically for color grading. Their auto color correction is fabulous. You can edit the video with a good transition effect. I have been using this software for more than 2 years. I am using the free software of DaVinci Resolve, and I don't think I have to buy paid service from this software because I can edit my final with this free version.
  • Colour Grading
  • Fast Editing
  • Special Effect
  • Sequence Making
  • Rendering
  • Playback
When my colleagues use premiere pro and then I have to convert that project into final cut pro, DaVinci Resolve helps me to convert my project to Final Cut Pro. Their noise cancellation tools are the best, and I got my voice very clear with the help of this software.
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
This software provides me a great solution for making and edit videos for my project. Every slide or screen can be customized with animated text on each picture I use for the video.
  • Time line clearly shows what is going on with in the project screen.
  • It is super to control the background volume. No matter how many audio files we add.
  • It could be better if it has templates for the quick formation of video. In a manner like just adding audio and video files, it gives us the results with default settings.
It is best suited for editing videos. It is a complete solution for editing a professional video for a unique project. It can be used for making outro of any product.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
DaVinci Resolve is being used in our studio location by our editors. It addresses the problem of poorly colored footage as well as requests for more stylized videos.
  • DaVinci Resolve does color correction via masking really well. The mask tracking feature is much faster and accurate than similar software applications. These are strengths for DaVinci Resolve, as they appeal to both the professional and amateur editor.
  • DaVinci Resolve's free version is extremely robust. This means that anyone who is unsure about the software can really do an in-depth test run with the majority of features, and evaluate if it is for them before making a purchase.
  • DaVinci Resolve is user-friendly. It's extremely easy to adjust default settings and customize your fades, transitions, etc. exactly how you want them, rather than having to adjust each time you add them to the timeline. This is a strength for Resolve, as it leaves users feeling more empowered and saves time.
  • Although I see the practicality of having a somewhat fixed workspace, being used to other similar software with the flexibility of rearranging and resizing windows to my preference leaves me wanting that same option here.
DaVinci Resolve is well suited for applications where you would like to tweak and finalize the visual style of your project. Color correction is certainly its strong suit, and seems to use up less processing power than its competition. It is especially useful for anyone new to the industry, like an independent creator who doesn't perhaps have the beefed-up computers of larger productions. It may be less well suited for applications where heavy audio correction needs to be done.
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
I use DaVinci Resolve to edit promotional videos for my own artwork, to edit other artists' videos, and videos for submissions to grant applications. Most of these videos use multiple camera sources, sometimes up to 10. They are regularly from a variety of cameras (GoPros and similar cameras are cheap), and the software has to sync all the angles up and allow for color correction to make the clips look similar. I have used Final Cut Pro for about 15 years but switched to DaVinci primarily for its color correction capabilities. It also does an excellent job syncing a variety of sources up.
  • The color correction is excellent. It provides a variety of tools for correcting color, way more than I need. In general, videos edited/corrected with DaVinci look better. There are a couple of filters available depending on the cameras used.
  • Syncing a variety of sources is a breeze. I ran several tests with up to 10 different sources when I switched from FCP to DaVinci, and DaVinci did a better job in a few cases.
  • Another reason to switch was the amount of render data FCP is writing (and saving) to the disk, which filled up hard drives. DaVinci does not have that problem, as it deletes the render files when done. FCP may have a setting for this, which I never found.
  • It also seems generally be less taxing on the CPU than other video software I have used.
  • The interface is slightly confusing for beginners, but that is often a problem when it comes to software that offers a lot of functionality.
The price point (free for the basic version, ≈ $300 for the pro version) makes it interesting for anybody to work with video, but it is a software for professionals so it's not good for editing your wedding videos. Online training material is excellent, so it's not hard to find answers, but not recommended to learn it just to edit a single project.
Matt Graf | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
DaVinci Resolve has been our software of choice for color correcting our video footage for quite some time. It is robust and delivers high-quality color palettes, which is exactly what we were looking for. It has really helped us to take our videos to the next level and move closer to achieving the truly cinematic look we aim to achieve.
  • It is robust in its options and the ways you can adjust your footage.
  • It is great for creating "looks" for a shoot, which can be copied and pasted to other clips.
  • The output quality is fantastic.
  • The only thing I would say is it is not for a complete novice. You really need to dedicate the time to learn this software before expecting great results! Practice!!
DaVinci Resolve is great for anyone who is seeking to take their video production quality to the next level. With its robust toolset, it is a fantastic thing to have at your disposal. It will elevate everything you create and help set your videos apart from others! Definitely something for the serious videographer!
Chris Hecox | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
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.
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.
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