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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

DaVinci Resolve 7 for Mac now shipping

I am currently going to play a bit with an eQ with redlogFILM DPXs. Again, a matter of perception, but from my initial session with it, it does feel "right" when applying an output LUT to that software. The resulting files seems to reflect that. But again - this is maybe just a perception with a "backward logic" applied.

Most colorists doing film targeted DI work set up in that manner, using the log images as input with no input LUT, but observing the result through a print preview LUT. There are a number of reasons for this, but one of the main ones is convenience. DI's are expected to produce multiple deliverables, only one of which is a film negative. Most color management systems (Truelight, Cinespace, etc.) are based on using a Cineon format as an input, with the target being whatever display you're looking at, and the processing being a film printing process. So by supplying a Cineon image to the output LUT, and having that LUT targeted to, say, a DLP Cinema projector but incorporating the characteristics of your chosen film recorder, intermediate stock, print stock, and lab process for the image processing, you get a very accurate preview of the film print. When you remove that LUT - in other words, render without baking it in - you get a Cineon image that will record correctly and print correctly, just as you previewed it. But you can also use a different targeted LUT - incorporating the same image characteristics, but designed to be displayed on, say, an HDTV monitor - to generate your electronic deliverables. By putting the LUT on the output, you don't have to be concerned with different grading for these different products because the source file is always the same. Since most DI's are still film targeted, this is the way most colorists are used to working. As DI's become more digital cinema centric, that path changes, but the idea of using the LUT on the output rather than the input remains - it's just that the LUT is used for deliverables other than the primary one, which in that case would be the DCDM.

BTW, most of the software systems - with the notable exception of DaVinci's - have scaled their "log" controls to values expected from log originals, and therefore can offer good separation of controls for the desired control ranges, and real-world usefulness and feel for the exposure/contrast controls. If you've ever put data through a DaVinci 2K, you probably found that the "lift" trackball becomes rather useless, and the interaction and crossover range between the "gamma" trackball and the "gain" trackball is wildly different than with a video original. In fact, the gamma trackball becomes your primary control, and only by using additional layers (via PowerWindows) do you regain a usable range for the blacks and whites separately. I don't know if Resolve works the same way, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did since that was the world the original designers came from.

Looking at how redlogFilm works - and resonating along the lines that redlogFilm is more "right/standard" I start to maybe see why you have expressed some dislike for redlog. RedlogFilm seems to handle the latitude in the files in a much "smarter" way, for one...

Graeme could go into a lot more detail on this, but suffice it to say that Redlog was designed purely as a way of getting the 16 bit processed linear light information into a 10 bit container while retaining the best precision in the process. RedlogFilm is designed to represent print density, based on the Cineon format. Graeme has always felt that print density does not represent the best way to retain precision from a linear light original, and mathematically he's probably right. But it does represent a standard way of working in the real world of film targeted DI's, and therefore drops into existing color grading systems in a much more sensible way. I don't know if he's done anything as far as the color matrix goes to accommodate the somewhat different gamut of film (I don't see a new RedFilmColor matrix, at least not yet), so in that sense it's a bit incomplete, but certainly using the print density values will go a long way to making film targeted DI systems work a lot better with Red originals.
 
Just for all the MacBook Pro Users, i´m running Resolve on my MacBook Pro 2,8Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo with the Dual Nvida Card inside (9400 & 9600GT). You´ll need the CUDA Update, but that shows up automatically after Reslove is installed.

I´m not grading on this configuration, but for learning it´s fine.
I connected the Wave panel and it works just fine.

I loaded a applePro Res HQ sequence and it plays back with 7fps
after a primary correction and 2 powerwindows this dropped to 5fps.

Can´t wait for the original Panels and running it on our MacPro next week.

Manuel
 
Well I have Resolve for Mac up and running here.

Spec is 3.1 macpro 3.2ghz
8Gig Ram
Slot 1 GTX285
Slot 2 GT120
Slot 3 ATTO R380
Slot 4 Decklink Extreme Hd (Orig non 3D)

The raids half full and is benching at abour 550MBs

With everything setup for 1080HD 50i output
ProRes4444 bobs between 23>25 fps /gpu Red adding more nodes say 8 seems to make no difference ,then it drops to 17 ish if I go over 8.
dpx 1080 same as above 23>25fps gpu Red adding upto 7 nodes seems to make no difference

When I turn the video output to NONE

Prores 4444 RT 25fps upto 8 nodes
DPX rt 25FPS upto 8nodes.. unless ones sharpen.

Now the thing I'm unsure about is that is it the bandwidth of the 3.1 macpro causing frame drops or is it the old decklink card.

Anyone else seeing fps bob just below and turn external video out to NONE and get RT/Green

I'm curious as adding say 5 nodes and the fps is still just under 25fps. its not like its getting less and less per node.


Also found that rendering Red media out to quicktime is causing issues due to bebayer speed.

ie if you set it to half premium or full when you goto render and your format is QT it will drop frames in the render and start a new QT. Setting the render manager to 1 > 5 fps kinda gets around it but seems a waste as some clips have less nodes and can actually render faster.

Set to DPX and Maximum there is no issue.

Si
 
Now the thing I'm unsure about is that is it the bandwidth of the 3.1 macpro causing frame drops or is it the old decklink card.

It's the bandwidth of the 3,1 Mac Pro. 4,1 Mac Pro is the minimum spec to get RT playback.

Also found that rendering Red media out to quicktime is causing issues due to bebayer speed.

ie if you set it to half premium or full when you goto render and your format is QT it will drop frames in the render and start a new QT. Setting the render manager to 1 > 5 fps kinda gets around it but seems a waste as some clips have less nodes and can actually render faster.

Which QT format are you rendering to, and at what resolution?
 
Mac Pro 4,1
Slot1 Nvidia Quadro FX4800
Slot2 RED Rocket
Slot3 Nvidia GeForce GT 120
Slot4 Blackmagic Multibridge ( first generation )

System is running smooth on all gradings and nodes.
Output from Multibridge to HDMI Pioneer Plasma ( Kuro 50" ) perfect for preview.
Rendering to QT near to realtime ( about 18 fps average )

But can't render QT files with 25 Frames - only 24 or 30 fps possible?!?!?
Hope for an upgrade soon
 
It's the bandwidth of the 3,1 Mac Pro. 4,1 Mac Pro is the minimum spec to get RT playback.



Which QT format are you rendering to, and at what resolution?

So its passing to the Decklink thats causing this?

So New macpro required for SDI out ? :-/

ProRes4444 1920x1080 25fps

It's like its passing another frame to the QT encode but encode says whoaaa not ready.. > dropped frame.
 
Mac Pro 4,1
But can't render QT files with 25 Frames - only 24 or 30 fps possible?!?!?
Hope for an upgrade soon

Did you set the frame rate to 25 in the config page under the section "Timeline Conform Options"?

If yes, could you please provide a little bit more detail (which codec, where are you seeing that it is not 25fps, etc.)
 
Hey, I don't know if this is the place to start, but I'm the producer of a senior thesis film in the L.A. area and need some advice on shooting on the Red & then, the steps toward digital intermediate to film out. We're shooting our short film in November, so I'm trying to figure out what the budget is going to be for us (of course our student filmmaker budget is slim.) If anyone has advice, I'd appreciate it! I'm a total newbie to the Red & so excited to start using the Red. Thanks!
 
But can't render QT files with 25 Frames - only 24 or 30 fps possible?!?!?
Hope for an upgrade soon

If you can't render 25fps even after you change conform/timeline settings in the Config page, you could conform to 25fps in Cinema Tools. It's a quick fix. :)

Open in Cinema Tools, hit the Conform button lower right, select the target frame rate and OK. You're all set.
 
timeline conform options was the perfect tip - rohit ( cool name by the way RO and HIT )
learning every day:)
so export is running now with a framerate about 20fps to QT422HQ
getting the original file over net and writing to a local raid with 4 striped disks
love davinci more and more

a direct output from the RED rocket card would be a winner
 
where did you guys get the power cable to split the two outputs in the macpro to the 3 inputs (2x GTX285 1x GT120), seems i need to solder my own cable here in Germany
 
where did you guys get the power cable to split the two outputs in the macpro to the 3 inputs (2x GTX285 1x GT120), seems i need to solder my own cable here in Germany

Only GTX 285 requires extra two power cables. GT 120 does not need any, hence the two available power connectors on Mac mother board is all you need.
 
I was referring to the Power inputs, not to the no. of cards, but thanks for your hint, Allen :)
Found out that the GT120 runs without the connection right after posting.
Runs like a charm.

My config is now
Slot 1 GTX 285
Slot 2 RedRocket
Slot 3 GT 120
Slot 4 Decklink Extreme HD

I couldn´t get DaVinici to it´s limit yet. R3D playback in half res premium works with 25fps and 5-6 nodes without problems, haven´t tested more nodes yet.

Thanks Blackmagic for bringing that software out on Mac and down to a reasonable price and thanks for the Rocket support.

I´ll delete Color from my HDD right away :)
 
hi manuel, do you run it on a 3.1 macpro or 4.1 macpro?
I was referring to the Power inputs, not to the no. of cards, but thanks for your hint, Allen :)
Found out that the GT120 runs without the connection right after posting.
Runs like a charm.

My config is now
Slot 1 GTX 285
Slot 2 RedRocket
Slot 3 GT 120
Slot 4 Decklink Extreme HD

I couldn´t get DaVinici to it´s limit yet. R3D playback in half res premium works with 25fps and 5-6 nodes without problems, haven´t tested more nodes yet.

Thanks Blackmagic for bringing that software out on Mac and down to a reasonable price and thanks for the Rocket support.

I´ll delete Color from my HDD right away :)
 
Just ordered DaVinci + a GTX285 for my home-studio :P

I'm a happy man!

(damn, where do I find the cash for a Wave?)
 
Mac Pro 4,1
Slot1 Nvidia Quadro FX4800
Slot2 RED Rocket
Slot3 Nvidia GeForce GT 120
Slot4 Blackmagic Multibridge ( first generation )

System is running smooth on all gradings and nodes.
Output from Multibridge to HDMI Pioneer Plasma ( Kuro 50" ) perfect for preview.
Rendering to QT near to realtime ( about 18 fps average )

But can't render QT files with 25 Frames - only 24 or 30 fps possible?!?!?
Hope for an upgrade soon

Hey Tony,
I am considering setting up my current MacPro 3,1 to work with Resolve and am trying to work out minimum spec to make my machine work. It is a home studio set-up, that I do use professionally.

I have a BM Multibridge Pro video output configuaration also. I would potentially like to spec it up using my existing hardware if possible, if it can work well enough ... Minimum specs from BM say Blackmagic Extreme HD card is required for Resolve. Does the Multibridge Pro work as as it should for preview via SDI as well as HDMI instead with resolve? Anyone else have any experience using the Multibridge Pro instead of the Decklink Extreme HD or HD 3d?

My system is a MacPro 3,1 2* quad core 2.8GHz machine with:
18GB RAM
4 disc 2TB internal raid
Slot1 - Nvidia GTX285 (not purchased yet but looking to get if Resolve will work adequately with it)
Slot2 - Nvidia GT120
Slot 3 - Newer Tech MaxPower esata 6G card
Slot 4 - BM Multibridge Pro card

Also considering taking the esata card out and installing a red rocket in slot 2 and the GT120 in slot 3.

Any experiences or advice I would love to hear about. I am aware that my machine is also below minimum spec, but the question is, how much performance loss will I receive using my machine and is it going to be acceptable for me. I am not that keen on upgrading the MacPro 3,1 just yet, but would like to potentially make it work with Resolve. I have been using color for a couple of years which has never done real time so this might not be a big issue, as long as I have a clear easily accessible and usuable output path for real-time preview. I have always sent color projects back to FCP for proper preview anyway, as this is usually where I export final projects from anyways.
Cheers
 
Any experiences or advice I would love to hear about. I am aware that my machine is also below minimum spec, but the question is, how much performance loss will I receive using my machine and is it going to be acceptable for me. I am not that keen on upgrading the MacPro 3,1 just yet, but would like to potentially make it work with Resolve. I have been using color for a couple of years which has never done real time so this might not be a big issue, as long as I have a clear easily accessible and usuable output path for real-time preview. I have always sent color projects back to FCP for proper preview anyway, as this is usually where I export final projects from anyways.
Cheers

We have the same machine, with the same GPUs, a Decklink Extreme 3, and a Rocket. Resolve won't quite manage 24 fps playback at 1920x1080, but it's close -- 21-22 fps. Flipping on on-the-fly proxies at 1600x900 (and switching to bilinear scaling so the scaled output looks decent) gets it to real-time, at least up to five or six nodes (I haven't tested more).

I'll probably get a chance to test the new 8-bit output mode in 7.0.2 today. The release notes imply that should enable real-time at 1920x1080.

Either way, I think performance is more than solid enough to hold us over until next year's Mac Pros (which based on what Intel is up to, should be a lot more interesting that this year's).

Update: Need to do more testing to see just how reliable it is, but so far the new 8-bit output mode seems to be getting us real-time 1920x1080 playback.

(Incidentally, it's comical how much louder the tower gets when Resolve is running an the fan on the GTX 285 spins up....)
 
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