Resolve Lite versus Scratch Lab for Dailies

[Justin Quinn]

I thought I'd put this in the Resolve section since it seems to be more active than the Scratch section...

My question is which software is better for dailies creation and why?

I'm currently a Resolve 9 user (full version, which isn't necessary for dailies since they're generally down-rezed ProResHQ/DNxHD35 etc...), and I love it, but I've heard so much hype about Scratch Lab that it's piqued my interest. However, after watching the promos on Scratch Lab's website, and speaking with quite a few Scratch Lab users, I'm not sure what features Scratch has that are absent in Resolve. In which way is it better, or rather, what justifies Scratch's premium price tag?

I ask because Scratch Lab is $5,000, whereas DaVinci Resolve Lite... So I have to assume that Scratch is offering something that Resolve Lite is lacking.

I know Scratch Lab users have their reasons, so I'm not looking to turn this into some kinda shouting match, just trying to make an informed decision. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jake blackstone]

Wait till Sept, when Resolve 10 should be out. It will be much better for dailies creations, as it will handle sound much better, among many other things.
As to the fact, that Resolve section is much more active than Scratch should tell you a lot as well

 

[Marc Wielage]

And in addition to what Jake says above, be warned that the biggest costs for color correction are the control surface, the monitor, and lots of fast storage. The software is peanuts compared to that. A good calibrated monitor alone can be close to $5000 (and used to be far more costly).

I'm not convinced that anything beyond a very simple overall color correction is necessary for on-set or near-set dailies, as long as it's close to the ballpark of the DP's intent. The trick is giving them something in a timely fashion, knowing that the editor and director are going to be living with this footage for months during the editing process. They need something that's at least 75% of the way towards the final color corrected version, with the understanding that sometimes the approach changes over time, and they throw out the original color correction for something else in the final.

 

[Justin Quinn]

Marc,

Agreed. However, I try my best to make the dailies the best they can be so as to increase the chances of being hired to do the finishing color. I work in the commercial world so our turnarounds can sometimes be very quick... or not.

And yeah, I already have all the hardware, which I bring with me on set. Often times, depending on the job, I have a decent amount of downtime throughout the day to spend a fair amount of time coloring the dailies. I sometimes even do secondaries, tracking, power windows and vignettes on set. It's fun, makes the day go by faster and keeps me learning...


Jake,

Thanks... good points.