Windows Da Vinci Resolve Config Guide 2014 06 24

User Manual: Windows

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WINDOWS OS SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

July 2014 Edition

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Table of Contents

DaVinci Resolve for Windows
Windows Power Configuration

3
9

Performance Configuration

Installing the DaVinci Resolve Application

Installing or Updating Third Party Drivers

NVIDIA CUDA GPUs

AMD/ATI GPUs

First Time You Start DaVinci Resolve

Configuring Third Party Control Panels

System Configurations

Generic PC Motherboard System
ASUS P9X79E-WS Motherboard
HP Z820
Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF
PCIe Expansion Chassis

15
16
17
18
20

Shopping List

DaVinci Resolve Control Surface
Dimensions and Weights

28
28

Warranty29

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

DaVinci Resolve for Windows

Building the world’s highest performing editing and color grading
system is simple with this easy to follow guide.
DaVinci Resolve combines the world's most

With the appropriate hardware and configuration,

advanced color corrector and image enhancement

DaVinci Resolve for Windows operates on current

system with powerful multitrack online editing, so

lntel based server, desktop and laptop computers.

now you can edit, color correct, finish and deliver

The hardware configuration you select has a significant

all from one application!

impact on the performance of the overall system. To

Whether you are just starting your editing or grading

achieve the best possible experience it is essential

career, building a post production facility or upgrading

to build your DaVinci Resolve system with high

your existing DaVinci Resolve suite, this guide contains

performance computer hardware including at least

important information which will help you buy, build

one high performance graphics processor (GPU).

and configure your system.

As DaVinci Resolve will use all the available resources

The system you select or build may be based on

to provide the fastest possible processing the

what you already have and can update, or a specific

configuration defines not only the speed which you

operational or technical requirement.

can edit, playback and grade but also the time to

As a guide, if your projects are SD or low resolutions

render your finished timeline.

for the web, you could use a lower powered system
compared to the needs of a client supervised 2K or

For your client or grading monitor/projector, DaVinci

4K grading session for a TVC or feature film. For low

Resolve also supports the range of Blackmagic Design

to medium budget HD projects quite often the mid-

video l/O cards to provide a SDl output to your

range powered systems are sufficient.

calibrated grading display.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Which Platform?
The secret to selecting the correct system

The ASUS motherboard listed below is however a

configuration for your needs is define a few key

suitable option.

parameters. If you are planning UHD and 4K editing

You will also find below a list of suppliers who can offer

and or grading with clients in attendance, you

a turnkey system using this or a similar motherboard.

should select a more powerful multiple GPU
configuration. Different configurations are detailed

ASUS P9X79E-WS

below to help your selection. These all use Windows

The ASUS P9X79E-WS motherboard is ideal for

8.1 Pro and or Windows Pro 7 with SP1.

DaVinci Resolve users who want to build a powerful

For HD work with the occasional UHD job,

and yet low cost editing and color grading system,
particularly for HD work.

particularly if working in ProRes or DNxHD, a mid
range configuration is suitable. You will notice

As there is only a single CPU in this system you

some performance limitations with 4K-6K source

should use the fastest one you can buy. You should

images and when using optical flow speed changes,

also consider that for CPU intensive operations, like

temporal processing and noise reduction work.

decompressing 4K, 5K and 6K camera Raw files, this
single CPU system will be slower than the following

The laptops listed in this guide are supported for

dual CPU systems.

HD work and while they have some processing
limitations, their excellent portability means they
are often found in the field and used for on set
work. These systems are not optimized for UHD,
optical flow speed changes, temporal processing
and noise reduction work.
Please review the different configurations detailed
below to find the right system for your needs.
Generic Intel Pro Motherboards

This motherboard specification includes 4 x PCle Gen

If you don't need guaranteed performance and have

3.0x16 slots configured as x16/x16/x16/x16 when only

a tight budget you can consider one of the many

using the blue PCle slots. If any black PCle slots are

generic pro motherboards now available.

used then the bandwidth of the adjacent blue slots

The key consideration when selecting a generic pro

halves, thus providing x16/x8/x8/x8/x16/x8/x8 in the

motherboard is not just how many fast PCle Gen3 x 16

full config.

slots that are available, but how many are full speed

lt's therefore quite important to carefully consider

when other slots are used. Often when you read the

board placement in these x16 slots and to avoid x8

fine print, these motherboards only offer x16 speed

slots if possible, even when using a PCle expander.

when just one or two slots are used.

Recommendations are made in the ASUS section below.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Generic Pro Laptops

resources. One of these slots is used for the GUI and

Few older laptop computers have had sufficient GPU

the other for image processing.

power and screen resolution to operate DaVinci

Additional image processing power can be added

Resolve. There has however in the last year been an

using a PCIe expansion chassis. This computer is

increasing number of systems with the new NVIDIA

widely available from resellers worldwide.

GPUs which are often suitable.
The Dell Precision M6800 is one such system. We
recommend the larger GPU memory options, e.g.
the NVIDIA Quadro K5100M with 8GB of dedicated
GDDR5 memory, or at least the NVIDIA Quadro
K4100M with 4GB.
Be sure to always order a laptop with sufficient screen
resolution such as 1920x1080, and at least 16GB of
system RAM.
512GB of SSD system disk is also recommended.
Details can be found in the shopping section of
Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF

this guide.

The Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF is a more
powerful configuration suitable for stereoscopic
grading, UHD and 4K-DCl video. It can be used
as a desktop tower or rack-mounted and contains
redundant power supplies.
It provides very fast image processing using up to four,
double-width, PCle3.0 x16 slots for greater throughput
and flexibility. One of these slots is used for the GUl
and the remainder can be used for image processing.
Additional image processing power can be added

HP Z820 Workstation

using a PCle expansion chassis. This computer is

The HP Z820 Workstation provides a flexible and simple

generally available from resellers who specialize in

workhorse for previewing and grading material up to

server computers.

and including 4K video. It can be used as a desktop
tower or rack-mounted and contains a single power

The Supermicro SuperServer is also the certified

supply. It provides fast image processing using three,

platform for Linux configurations should you wish to

single-width, PCIe3 x16 slots that do not share bus

upgrade in the future.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

UHD and 4K-DCl lmage Processing

GUI Monitor

With the increasing use of digital cameras projects

The Resolve GUl is optimized for 2560 x 1440 screen

now often include camera clips at UHD, 4K-DCl or

resolution but will work down to 1920 x 1080. Dual

higher resolutions. While some cameras provide

GUl monitors are also supported and these can be

UHD or 4K or higher capture resolutions they usually

different resolutions within the specs listed above.

store the images as compressed data as this takes
less storage space and bandwidth.

PCle and Thunderbolt™ Expanders

However for editing and grading, the compressed

Windows desktop or rack mount computers offer

data needs to be decompressed to the full RGB per

connection to an external expander chassis via

pixel bit depth which will use four or more times the

its PCle motherboard connector. This permits

processing power of a HD image for the same real

extra GPUs to be installed for use by the unique

time grading performance. The GPU RAM therefore

processing controller in DaVinci Resolve. While

becomes a very important factor when dealing with

there are a number of expanders available in the

UHD and 4K-DCl timelines.

market only a few have been tested and certified for

Assuming your system has sufficient GPU RAM to

use with DaVinci Resolve.

play UHD and 4K-DCl images, one way to improve

Please refer to the PCle Expander details later in

your editing and grading experience is to use a HD
resolution timeline and displayed on a HD monitor.

this guide.

After you have completed your edit and grade

At this time there are no Thunderbolt expanders

simply change the timeline resolution for a UHD or

certified for use with GPUs however you can use a

4K-DCl render.

ThunderBolt expander for a fibre channel adapter,

There are many potential speed limits within this 4K

storage interface or raid controller, video card or
even a Red Rocket. The shopping list later in this

pipeline so depending on the clip codec, CPU speed

guide details tested models and configurations.

and number of cores, system RAM, the number of
GPUs, their core count and GPU RAM, motherboard
slot speed, disk speed, etc. each of these can affect
the full 4K playback grade and display in real time.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Connecting a Calibrated Edit, Client and Grading Monitor
All editors and colorists working on TV or film

The DeckLink Studio 4K supports SDl and HD-SDl

deliverables will need to use a proper color calibrated

video with 8 channels of audio. It also features HDMl

monitor connected to a SDl video l/O card for 2D or

audio and video monitoring, external sync and VTR

3D monitoring. This device will occupy a PCle slot on

control via a RS-422 connection. All features are

the motherboard , a USB 3.0 port or a Thunderbolt

included as standard.

port depending on the video card you select.

The UltraStudio 4K offers a variety of input and output

DaVinci Resolve supports the Blackmagic Design range

connections in a rack mount chassis and is connected

of DeckLink and UltraStudio video l/O devices for SDl

via Thunderbolt to the computer.

video and embedded audio ingest and playback.

You can also use the UltraStudio Mini Recorder and

These l/O device are used for connecting your client,

Mini Monitor with DaVinci Resolve however there is

editing and calibrated monitor. Users can loop a single

no ingest or tape transport controls available with

feed from the VTR to the client monitor or connect the

these devices.

second SDl output directly to the monitor.
If you use the DeckLink 4K Extreme video card and

For DaVinci Resolve to use the BMD video l/O

your facility has a UHD/4K-DCl display that accepts

devices you will need to install the Desktop Video

a single 6G SDl or two 3G SDl cables, or HDMl you

drivers, which came with your l/O device or the

can use this DeckLink card to connect directly to

updates which are available from the support page

your monitor.

at www.blackmagicdesign.com.

File System and Media Storage
DaVinci Resolve for Windows supports a number

Channel connections to a FC card in the Resolve

of internal and external storage systems however

workstation. This can be direct or via a FC switch.

almost any storage, designed for high bandwidth

Resolve supports the Quantum StorNext file system

media and formatted in the standard Windows

so you should install and use the StorNext version as

NTFS disk format, will be suitable for use.

recommend by your local Quantum support office

An external disk array and a RAlD or HBA card

for your operation system.

could be used for additional disk performance and
storage, especially for 2K, UHD and 4K-DCl media.

The Preferences option under the DaVinci Resolve

Facilities with SAN based shared storage can work

menu is where you can add or remove internal and

concurrently with projects that are being graded in

external disk storage for use with Resolve. The first

other Mac, Windows or Linux suites.

volume in the list will be used to store gallery stills

The most common connection method for the

and cache files so this should be a drive that is

SAN storage is via dual 8Gbit or single 16Gbit Fiber

always connected and accessible to your system.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

System Connection Diagram
Basic Configuration
RESOLVE COMPUTER

ULTRASTUDIO SDI

SPEAKERS

GUI MONITOR

GRADING MONITOR

RESOLVE CONTROL SURFACE

Advanced Configuration
RESOLVE COMPUTER

PCIe EXPANSION
SPEAKERS

GUI MONITOR

MEDIA STORAGE

RESOLVE CONTROL SURFACE

Thunderbolt

Storage Connection

GRADING MONITOR

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Windows Power Configuration
DaVinci Resolve is a demanding application and it is
important to first ensure your workstation is configured
to avoid going in to sleep mode or hibernation.
From the Control Panel click on Power Options. Under
"Select a power plan", click "Show additional plans"
and then click "High Performance".

Then click Advanced System Settings and on the
Advanced tab now select Settings.

Click "Change plan settings" and ensure the

This opens the Performance Options window. In the

computer is set to "Never" sleep.

first tab, Visual Effects, select the Custom radio button.

Click "Change advanced power settings" and ensure

All the checkboxes below should now be de-selected.

all the "Sleep" settings are set to "Never" or "Off".
Click "Apply", "OK", "Save changes" and close out
of the control panel.

Performance Configuration
You will need to configure your windows system for
maximum performance. Right click Computer and
select the Properties option.
For Windows 7 Pro users, now select the last checkbox,
Use visual styles on windows and buttons, then select
OK and close all the windows. This selection is not
required for Windows 8 Pro systems.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Installing the DaVinci Resolve Application
Installing or updating Resolve is essentially the

For the full version of DaVinci Resolve, the included

same process.

USB dongle contains the software license and must
be connected to your computer before launching the

First, login as the user that will be operating Resolve.

Resolve software.

You will need an Administrator password to install
the software on your system and we recommend

For Resolve to use the DeckLink card or, UltraStudio

that DaVinci Resolve be installed into the standard

for video l/O you will need to install the latest Desktop

Applications folder on your startup hard disk.

Video drivers. These are available from the support
page at www.blackmagicdesign.com.

Insert the Resolve DVD or open the downloaded
executable and when the installer window opens,

If you use Avid Media Composer or Adobe Premiere

doubleclick the 'DaVinci Resolve Executable' and

Pro on the same computer as Resolve, and you wish to

follow the onscreen prompts to install the software.

use these applications with a DeckLink or UltraStudio,
install the latest Desktop Video drivers after installing

The installation process takes just a couple of minutes.

your editing applications. Blackmagic Desktop Video

When the installation has been completed, you will

drivers install associated easy setup options and

be prompted to restart your workstation. The installer

presets for a number of editing applications.

will add the application to the Program Files folder
and will place a shortcut on your Desktop making it
easy to launch DaVinci Resolve.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Installing or Updating Third Party Drivers
DaVinci Resolve uses a number of third party drivers

The query should provide an AMD Software suite

which you may need to install or update depending

to download and run which will install the drivers

on the DaVinci Resolve and OS version and also the

for your GPU.

hardware configuration you are using.

In order to enable the AMD FirePro GPUs to use

DaVinci Resolve 11 for Windows will use CUDA on

their entire memory they need to run in 64-bit mode.

NVlDlA hardware and OpenCL on AMD/ATl GPUs

On Windows OS, you need to perform the following

however systems running both NVlDlA and AMD/

steps to configure 64-bit GPU operation.

ATl hardware simultaneously are not supported on

DaVinci Resolve for Windows systems.

Right click on 'My Computer'
> Select

For systems using AMD/ATl GPUs, you will need
to install the correct drivers from the AMD

support website.

Properties.

Select the 'Advanced system settings' from the
left panel.

NVIDIA CUDA GPUs
NVIDIA Drivers
When you install your NVIDIA GPU you will need
to download and install the NVIDIA driver for
that specific GPU. Usually it's the latest driver
for the most powerful GPU in your system that's
required. If the message“, WARNING: No CUDA
3.

Acceleration Hardware Detected,“ appears when

In the ‘Advanced' tab, select the 'Environment
Variables' button.

you launch Resolve and your workstation contains
the recommended NVIDIA GPUs, you will need
to quit Resolve and update to the recommended
NVIDIA driver.

AMD/ATI GPUs
AMD provides a driver installer which you can use to
automatically install and configure the appropriate
drivers for your AMD/ATl GPU.
Go to http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/
Pages/index.aspx and follow the steps 1 through
5 to select the Workstation Graphics, GPU series
and model and finally Windows 8.1 - 64 bit to then
request the results from your query.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Then select ‘New…’ under user variables.

Rocket drivers and ﬁrmware
You can decode and play RED r3d files using the
CPU and GPU or if you install a Red Rocket/Rocket-X
in your workstation or expander you will need to
manually install the RED Rocket drivers and firmware
from the RED website for use with Resolve.
It is important to use the version of the Red Rocket/
Rocket-X driver and also firmware that is certified
for use with DaVinci Resolve.
Please refer to Readme file that is supplied with each
version of Resolve for the specific certified drivers
and Rocket firmware that is correct for that version
of DaVinci Resolve.
The drivers and firmware are available for download

Enter the variable name 'GPU_FORCE_64BIT_

from www.red.com/downloads.

PTR' and variable value as 1.

Select OK on all the windows one by one to
close them.

Start Resolve. (There is no need to restart
the machine).

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

First Time You Start DaVinci Resolve
There are three important hardware items to configure

We recommend you identify your primary drive now

when you first start the Resolve application. Open the

and then add and remove other drives as needed

Hardware Setup by selecting the Preferences window

but don't change the primary drive until you have

from the DaVinci Resolve application menu.

considered how to back up and restore your stills.

The first tab shows the System Overview where you

In the Video l/O and GPU tab select which capture

can verify that Resolve has found your GPUs and any

and playback device you will use for SDl monitoring.

Red Rocket cards if installed.

Depending on your workflow, this device may also
be connected to a VTR or camera.

The first location in the storage list will become the
primary location for images, all proxies, cached files

If you are using Resolve Live, the Video l/O and GPU

and gallery stills. This location will usually not be your

tab includes the option to select the video input

system disk but a specifically installed permanent disk

capture device.

for media. Often it's an internal or external RAlD disk

In the Control Panel tab choose which control panel

array and it needs plenty of storage capacity.

hardware you have connected to your computer.
DaVinci Resolve for Windows supports the current
USB 2.1 generation of DaVinci Resolve Control Surface
but can also be used with the Avid Artist Color,
JLCooper Eclipse CX and Tangent Devices WAVE
and Element control panels. Details on connection
follow this section.
The Advanced tab is generally not required by most
facilities as its for specific system configurations. You
should leave this blank unless directed otherwise.
After changing any of these preferences select save
and restart the DaVinci Resolve application.

Click on the "+" (add) button to add a volume, folder or
mount point to the list of disk storage for your media.
Click on the "-" (remove) button to remove a volume,
folder or mount point from the list of disk storage.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Configuring Third Party Control Panels
You can use DaVinci Resolve with your mouse and

If using a JLCooper Eclipse CX, follow the Eclipse

keyboard, with a pen and tablet and also with one

CX documentation to connect and configure it with

of the supported third party control panels. DaVinci

an Ethernet port on your workstation. Then launch

Resolve supports the Avid Artist Color, JLCooper

Resolve, use the Preferences to select the Eclipse

Eclipse CX, or either of the Tangent Devices WAVE

CX panel and click "Save." If you have changed the

or Element control panels.

lP address or port from the default panel settings,
enter the lP address and port number for your panel

Refer to the instructions from the panel vendor and

and then click "Save." Restart the DaVinci Resolve

review with the directions below to configure the

application and you will see the panel menus as soon

panel to work with DaVinci Resolve.

as the application starts.

After first starting the Resolve application, open the

The Avid Artist Color panels installation is generally

Hardware Setup by selecting 'Preferences' from the

quite straight forward. If your workstation is

DaVinci Resolve application menu. In the Preferences

connected to a network with a DHCP server, just

window, select the Control Panel tab and choose

connect an Ethernet cable from the panel to the same

which control panel hardware you have connected

network switch. Install the EUcontrol application

to your workstation. Save the updated preferences

that comes with the panel, or download it from the

and restart the DaVinci Resolve application.

Avid support site.

The Tangent Devices WAVE is a USB device and

Launch the application and you will notice the E icon

requires no special configuration for use with DaVinci

towards the right side of the top menu bar. When the

Resolve. Just plug it in to your workstation and it will

icon is solid, the panel is communicating with the EU

work. The Tangent Devices Element Bundle is a set

control application and, once selected in the DaVinci

of four USB panels that connect to your workstation

Resolve preferences, the panel will display Resolve

via a 4-port USB 2.0 hub.

menus at the next restart of the Resolve application.

You will need to download and install the 'Tangent

If you are not using a DHCP server, refer to the Avid

Hub support pack' to use the panels with DaVinci

Artist Color installation instructions for setting the lP

Resolve. Once the Tangent Hub is installed, plug the

address of the panel and workstation. It should take

panels into your workstation and they will work with

just 30 seconds to set.

Resolve. The Tangent Hub installer for Windows can
be downloaded from http://www.tangentdevices.
co.uk/support.asp.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

System Configurations
This section describes three different system

As there is only a single CPU in this system you

configurations so you can decide which best

should use the fastest one you can buy. You should

suits your operational needs. One uses an ASUS

also consider that for CPU intensive operations, like

motherboard but is an example of a generic

decompressing 4K, 5K and 6K camera Raw files, this

system which you can build yourself. The second

single CPU system will be slower than the following

configuration is based on the HP Z820 and

dual CPU systems.

supports dual CPUs. The third system is also a

GPU options are listed below. We recommend using

dual CPU system which includes the maximum

the same model GPU if multiple are used.

number of fast PCle slots for processing cards. All

This motherboard specification includes 4 x PCIe

systems can use an expansion chassis for more

Gen 3.0x16 slots (x16/x16/x16/x16) when only using

GPUs but you should only install a single GUl GPU

the blue slots. If any black slots are used then the

in your computer if you plan on using an expander.

bandwidth of the adjacent blue slots halves, thus

Details on where to connect the expander HBA
and GPUs are shown below.

providing x16/x8/x8/x8/x16/x8/ x8 in the full config.

There are a number of third party vendors of

It's therefore quite important to carefully consider
board placement in these x16 slots and to avoid x8

turnkey computer platforms that can also configure
and test a system specifically for DaVinci Resolve.

slots if possible.

A few of these vendors are listed with their web

Additional PCI Express cards, such as capture,

sites later in this section.

storage or even an expander HBA should only be

Generic PC Motherboard System

added to the slots shown in the tables below to
avoid causing a slow down in the performance of

The ASUS P9X79E-WS motherboard is ideal for

the GUl and image processing GPU cards.

DaVinci Resolve users who want to build a powerful
and yet low cost editing and color grading system

It is also very important you instal the latest USB 3.0

particularly for HD work.

software drivers and firmware for your motherboard
if you plan on using an UltraStudio SDI. Please visit
the ASUS website for details.
Most ATX computer chassis provide as many as
10 disk bays for plenty of low cost, internal, SATA
disk storage. Alternatively external eSATA, Fibre
Channel or even USB 3.0 disk arrays can be used for
media storage depending on your image resolution
and number of files.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Configuration with a single or dual GPUs
ASUS P9X79E-WS Motherboard

Slot

Board

Function

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

GUI & Image Processing GPU

GUI Monitor

--Don't use this slot--

Optional 2nd GPU

--Don't use this slot--

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

Do not connect
External Storage

Note that the Motherboard slot 1 is closest to the CPU.

Configuration with PCIe Expander for multiple GPUs
ASUS P9X79E-WS Motherboard

Slot

Board

Function

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

GUI GPU

GUI Monitor

--Don't use this slot--

Expander HBA

--Don't use this slot--

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

PCIe Expander

Note that the Motherboard slot 1 is closest to the CPU.
PCle Expander options shown later in this guide.

External Storage

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

HP Z820
The HP Z820 Workstation provides a flexible and

One of these slots is used for the GUl and the other

simple workhorse for previewing and grading

for image processing GPUs. GPU options are listed

material up to and including UHD and 4K-DCl video.

below. We recommend using the same model GPU

As this system has dual CPUs it is more suitable for

if multiple are used.

decompressing hi-res files, such as 4K, 5K and 6K

Additional PCl Express cards, such as capture, storage

camera Raw.

or even an expander HBA should only be added to

The chassis provides fast image processing using

the slots shown in the tables below to avoid causing a

three, single-width, PCle Gen 3.0 x16 slots that do

slow down in the performance of the GUl and image

not share bus resources.

processing GPU cards.

Configuration with a single or dual GPUs
HP Z820 Workstation

Slot

Board

Function

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

GUl & lmage Processing GPU

GUI Monitor

--blocked--

Optional 2nd GPU

--blocked--

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

External Storage

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

Do Not Connect

Note that the Motherboard slot is closest to the CPU.

Configuration with PCIe Expander for multiple GPUs
HP Z820 Workstation

Slot

Board

Function

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

GUI GPU

GUI Monitor

--blocked--

Expander HBA

--Don't use this slot--

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

External Storage

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

PCIe Expander

Note that the Motherboard slot is closest to the CPU.
PCle Expander options shown later in this guide.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF
The Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF is a more

GPU options are listed below. We recommend using

powerful configuration suitable for stereoscopic

the same model GPU if multiple are used.

grading even at UHD and 4K-DCl resolutions. It can

Additional PCl Express cards, such as capture, storage

be used as a desktop tower or rack-mounted and

or even an expander HBA should only be added to

contains redundant power supplies.

the slots shown in the tables below to avoid causing a

This motherboard provides very fast image processing

slow down in the performance of the GUl and image

using up to four, double-width, PCle 3.0 x16 slots for

processing GPU cards.

greater throughput and flexibility.

The Supermicro SuperServer is also the certified

One of these slots is used for the GUl and the other

platform for Linux configurations should you wish to

for image processing GPUs.

upgrade in the future.

Configuration with a single or dual GPUs
Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF

Slot

Board

Function

GUl & lmage Processing GPU

GUI Monitor

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

External Storage

--Don't use this slot--

Optional 2nd GPU

--Don't use this slot--

Spare

--Don't use this slot--

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

1
2
3

Note that the Motherboard slot 11 is closest to the CPU.

Do not connect

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Configuration with a single or dual GPUs
Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF

Slot

Board

Function

GUl & lmage Processing GPU

GUI Monitor

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

External Storage

--Don't use this slot--

Optional 2nd GPU

--Don't use this slot--

Optional 3rd GPU

--Don't use this slot--

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

1
2
3

Do not connect
Do not connect

Note that the Motherboard slot 11 is closest to the CPU.

Configuration with PCIe Expander for multiple GPUs
Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF

Slot

Board

Function

GUl GPU

GUI Monitor

Optional Storage/RAID Controller

External Storage

--Don't use this slot--

Expander HBA

--Don't use this slot--

Spare

--Don't use this slot--

DeckLink HDMI Bracket

HDMI Monitoring

DeckLink

Video & Audio Monitoring

1
2
3

PCIe Expander

Note that the Motherboard slot 11 is closest to the CPU.

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

PCIe Expansion Chassis
In all system configurations, additional image

Note: There are multiple PCIe expander options listed

processing GPUs or even a RED Rocket card can

below. Not all offer Gen 3.0 x16 speed to every slot

be added using a PCIe expansion chassis.

and the power supply limits on some expanders make
them suitable for only one or two GPUs especially if

If you use one of the chassis recommended below,

a RED Rocket card is also installed.

install the expander HBA in the PCIe slot indicated and
then your image processing GPUs in the expander.

The expander tables below show the ideal slot to

The GUI GPU should remain in the main computer as

use for the GPUs. Use the spare slots for other cards

should the DeckLink and a RAID controller if installed.

if needed.

CUBIX GPU-Xpander Desktop Elite

Cyclone PCIe2-2707

Slot

Board

Slot

Board

Image Processing GPU

Spare

Spare x8 slot

CUBIX GPU-Xpander Rackmount Elite
NetStor NA255A

Slot

Board

Spare x8 slot

Slot

Board

Spare x8 slot

Image Processing GPU

Spare

While this expander used x8 slots, in testing its
performance has shown to be acceptable.

CUBIX GPU-Xpander Rackmount 8

Slot

Board

Spare

Image Processing GPU

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
Software

Operating System

DaVinci Resolve for Windows

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional, 64-bit

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/
meet

Where to Buy

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/resellers/

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/buy

Control Panel

Note, the previous major release, Microsoft Windows
7.0 Professional, SP1, 64-bit, is also supported.

DaVinci Resolve Control Surface
(Note: includes the DaVinci Resolve software)
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/davinciresolve

Capture Card

Where to Buy

Blackmagic Design DeckLink 4K Extreme

http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/resellers/

Alternative with reduced features

Alternatives with reduced features

Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio 4K
(Note: HD-SDl l/O and HDMl output is supported
by Resolve) http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/
products/

Avid Artist Color
http://www.avid.com/products/Artist-Color
Where to Buy

http://euphonix.avid.com/artist/ux/euphonix/
artist_sales.php

Alternative with Additional features
JLCooper’s Eclipse CX
http://www.jlcooper.com/_php/family.php?
fam=eclipseseries
Where to Buy

https://jlcooper.com/secure/_php/store.php?
view=info&store=retail
Tangent Devices WAVE
http://www.tangentwave.co.uk/products_wave.asp
Where to Buy

http://www.tangentwave.co.uk/reseller_list.asp
Tangent Devices Element Bundle
http://www.tangentwave.co.uk/products_element.
asp
Where to Buy

http://www.tangentwave.co.uk/reseller_list.asp

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
Computer Option A

Computer Option B

Generic Motherboard

Hewlett Packard Z820

Motherboard: ASUS P9X79E-WS

Computer: HP Z820 Workstation

CPU: lntel Socket 2011 Core i7

CPU: 2x lntel Xeon X5660 2.8 GHz, or faster

SDRAM: 16GB (4 x 4GB RAM) DDR3-1600

RAM: 16GB (8 x 2GB) or more DDR3-1333 ECC RAM

http://www.asus.com/sg/Motherboards/P9X79E_WS/

Hard Disk: 1 x SATA 7200 1TB

Where to Buy

DVD Drive: 1 x DVD-RW drive, SATA, Black

http://shop.asus.com/

Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro, 64-bit

System Drive: 512GB SSD or SATA 7200 1TB HD
DVD Drive: DVD-RW drive, SATA, Black

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/
workstations/z820.html

Where to Buy

Your local computer outlet.

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/
workstations/z820.html

Chassis: Generic ATX chassis such as Cooler Master
HAF 932 Advanced http://www.coolermaster.com/
case/full-tower/haf-932-advanced/

Computer Option C
Laptop

Where to Buy

Laptop Computer: Dell Precision 6800

http://www.coolermaster.com/service/whereToBuy.
html

Screen resolution: 1920x1080 minimum CPU: Intel®
Core™ i5 or i7 processors RAM: 16GB minimum

Power Supply: 1000W or greater ATX PSU such as
Corsair Professional Series HX1050

GPU: NVIDIA Quadro K5100M; 8GB GDDR5 or at
least NVIDIA Quadro K4100M; 4GB

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/professional-serieshx1050-80plus-silver-certified-modular-powersupply

Hard Disk: 512GB SSD minimum
DVD Drive: 1 x DVD-RW drive
Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro, 64-bit

Where to Buy

http://www.corsair.com/en-us/products

http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/
precision-m6800-workstation/pd?srd+true&sk=m6800&scat=prod

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
Computer Option D

PCI Express Expansion

Supermicro SuperServer

Multiple Options Shown

Computer: Supermicro SuperServer 7047GR-TRF
Black 4RU Rackmountable/Tower

CUBIX GPU-Xpander Desktop Elite
Model: XPDT-G3-ELDHE5 (Hi-flow exhaust)
http://www.cubixgpu.com/gpu-xpander-desktop

CPU: 2 x Intel Xeon 10 Core E5-2680v2 2.8GHz
or faster

CUBIX GPU-Xpander Rackmount Elite

RAM: 32GB (8x4GB) or more ECC DDR3-1866
SDRAM

Model: XPRM-G3-ELRHE
http://www.cubixgpu.com/xpander-rackmount-elite

(Note if you use more RAM, use the same size in all
eight slots for maximum RAM access speed)

CUBIX GPU-Xpander Rackmount 8
Model: XPRM-G3-82A

Hard Disk: Seagate Barracuda ES.2. 500GB or lntel
512 GB SSD

http://www.cubix.com/gpu-xpander-rackmount

DVD Drive: DVD-RW drive, SATA, Black Operating
System: Windows 8.1 Pro, 64-bit

Where to Buy

http://www.cubixgpu.com/catalog

http://www.supermicro.com/products/
system/4U/7047/SYS-7047GR-TRF.cfm

Cyclone PCIe2-2707 (ﬁve slot)
http://www.cyclone.com/products/expansion_
systems/600-2707.php

Where to Buy

http://www.supermicro.com.tw/wheretobuy/
index.cfm

Where to Buy

Computer Option E

http://www.cyclone.com/purchase/process.php

Third Party Turnkey System Vendors

NetStor NA255A-XGPU
http://www.netstor.com.tw/_03/03_02.php?MTEx

There are a number of vendors who offer turnkey
systems configured for operation with DaVinci
Resolve. Please refer to their specific configurations
and after sales support to ascertain the suitability
for your needs.

Where to Buy

http://www.netstor.com.tw/_06/06.php

The following are examples of the systems offered.
Safe Harbor Computers
https://www.sharbor.com/build-yours/Blackmagic/
JMR Electronics
http://www.jmr.com/en/products/22/atxworkstation/

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
GUI Monitor

USB 2.0 Extender

HP DreamColor Z27x Professional Display

ICRON USB 2.0 Ranger 2204

Single or Dual as required

http://www.icron.com/products/icron-brand/usbextenders/cat5/usb-2-0-ranger-2204/

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/
workstations/dreamcolor-displays.html

Where to Buy

http://www.icron.com/where-to-buy/

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/
workstations/dreamcolor-displays.html

RED R3D Processing Card
RED Rocket

Alternatives with a different feature set

http://www.red.com/

Any high quality computer monitor with a
2560x1440 screen resolution. 1920 x 1080 and
higher screen resolutions are also supported.

Where to Buy

http://www.red.com/store/775-0001

Where to Buy

Your local computer supplier

USB Keyboard and Mouse
Microsoft Model: APB-00018 USB Desktop 600 KB
& Mouse
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/
wired-desktop-600
Where to Buy

Your local computer supplier

Alternatives with a different feature set
Logickeyboard Apple DaVinci Resolve Model:
LKBU-RESOLVE-AM89-US
http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/appledavinci-resolve-2952p.html
Where to Buy

http://www.logickeyboard.com/shop/appledavinci-resolve-2952p.html

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
Graphics Processor

Alternative NVIDIA GPUs

NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Black; 6GB GDDR5
SDRAM

Important note for GPU selection
DaVinci Resolve performs all image processing in
the GPU so selection is important based on the clip
type, resolution of the clips and timeline, and of
course render resolution.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/
geforce-gtx-titan-black

Some of the image processing operations in DaVinci
Resolve, for example RAW clip debayer, temporal
noise reduction, optical flow speed changes, motion
effects and OpenFX plugins, need large GPU
memory for operation. These processes might not
be available or operation could be restricted on
GPUs with limited memory so consider this when
selecting your GPU from the options below.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/
geforce-gtx-780-ti

For processing UHD or 4K-DCI images we
recommend 4GB or more of GPU memory (RAM).
For HD image processing 3GB of GPU RAM is
normally sufficient.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/workstation-wtb.html

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780ti with 3GB GDDR5
SDRAM

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 with 3GB GDDR5
SDRAM
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/
geforce-gtx-780
Where to Buy

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/
geforce-gtx-780/buy-online
(Select the GPU and then 'Compare and Buy')

When selecting GPUs, they all need to be from the
same supplier, either NVIDIA or AMD/ATI.

NVIDIA GPUs
NVIDIA Quadro K6000; 12GB GDDR5 SDRAM
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-desktopgpus.html
NVIDIA Quadro K5000; 4GB GDDR5 SDRAM
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-desktopgpus.html
Recommended for GUI GPU Only

For multiple GPU configurations, using the same
model GPU allows you to share the GUI GPU for
image compute. Alternatively you can use a K4000
just for the GUI monitor.
NVIDIA Quadro K4000, 3GB GDDR5 SDRAM
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro-desktopgpus.html

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
AMD/ATI GPUs

CalDigit HDPro2, 8 Bay RAID
http://www.CalDigit.com/HDPro2/

AMD Firepro W9100; 16GB GDDR5 SDRAM
http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/
workstation/firepro-3d/9100

Where to Buy

AMD Firepro W9000; 6GB GDDR5 SDRAM

Facilis Technology TerraBlock, 24 Bay RAID

http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/
workstation/firepro-3d/9000

http://facilis.com/product/terrablock/

AMD Firepro W8000; 4GB GDDR5 SDRAM

http://facilis.com/sales/

http://www.caldigit.com/store.asp#HDPro2

Where to Buy

http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/
workstation/firepro-3d/8000

HBA for Fiber Channel SAN
External Storage

AMD Firepro W7000; 4GB GDDR5 SDRAM

ATTO 8Gbps Dual Channel PCIe Fiber
Channel HBA

http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/
workstation/firepro-3d/7000

Model: CTFC-82EN-000

Where to Buy

http://www.attotech.com/products/product.
php?cat=1&scat=1&prod=2&sku=CTFC-82EN-000

http://shop.amd.com/en-us

Internal Image Storage

ATTO 16Gbps Single Channel PCIe Fiber
Channel HBA

4 x SSD or 4x7200rpm SATA hard disks with cables
connected to the motherboard SATA controller

Model: CTFC-162E-000
http://www.attotech.com/products/product.php?ca
t=1&scat=33&prod=109&sku=CTFC-161E-000

Where to Buy

Your local computer outlet

Where to Buy

Direct Attached External
Image Storage

http://www.attotech.com/store/

Multiple alternative options shown
Accusys A08S-PS, 8 Bay RAID
http://www.accusys.com.tw/products/storage/
a08s3-ps-new.html
Accusys A12S2-PS, 12 Bay RAID
http://www.accusys.com.tw/products/storage/
a12s2-ps.html
Accusys SWF16, PCIe Switch
http://www.accusys.com.tw/products/switch/
swf16-v2.html
Where to Buy

http://www.accusys.com.tw/where-to-buy/reselleragent.html

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Shopping List
Fiber Channel SAN
External Storage
Multiple alternative options shown
Scale Logic Genesis RX RAID Series
Genesis RX 12
http://www.scalelogicinc.com/images/pdf/2014/
SLI%20Genesis%20RX%2012Bay%2001-25-14.pdf
Genesis RX 24
http://www.scalelogicinc.com/images/pdf/2014/
SLI%20Genesis%20RX%2024Bay%2001-25-14.pdf
Genesis RX 36
http://www.scalelogicinc.com/images/pdf/2014/
SLI%20Genesis%20RX%2036Bay%2001-25-14.pdf
Note: Scale Logic offer OS agnostic SAN operation
and support for StorNext or the HyperFS file
system.
http://www.scalelogicinc.com/html/san.php
Where to Buy

sales@scalelogicinc.com
Oxygen Tec O2 24 bay enclosure
Model: 4K24FS
http://www.oxygentec.com/products/250/node
Where to Buy

http://oxygentec.com/foot/contactus/finden

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

DaVinci Resolve Control Surface
Dimensions and Weights

WIDTH

DEPTH

WEIGHT

CENTER PANEL

195.5mm (7.69in)

574.1mm (22.60in)

460.7mm (18.14in)

12.2kg (26.9lb)

LEFT PANEL

195.5mm (7.69in)

333.5mm (13.13in)

421.8mm (16.60in)

4.8kg (10.6lb)

RIGHT PANEL

195.5mm (7.69in)

333.5mm (13.13in)

421.8mm (16.60in)

4.8kg (10.6lb)

195.5mm [7.69in]

HEIGHT

1238mm [48.75in]

590.57mm [23.25in]

470mm [18.49in]

373.93mm [14.72in]

DAVINCI RESOLVE FOR WINDOWS - CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION GUIDE

Warranty
12 Months Limited Warranty
Blackmagic Design warrants that DaVinci Resolve control surface

or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated

will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a

with other products when the effect of such a modification

period of 12 months from the date of purchase. If a product

or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the

proves to be defective during this warranty period, Blackmagic

product. THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY BLACKMAGIC DESIGN

Design, at its option, either will repair the defective product

IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY

in exchange for the defective product. Periodical updates to

IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS

the operational software are not included under this warranty.

FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. BLACKMAGIC DESIGN’S
RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE

In order to obtain service under this warranty, you the Customer,

PRODUCTS IS THE WHOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY

must notify Blackmagic Design of the defect before the expiration

PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,

of the warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the

INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE

performance of service. The Customer shall be responsible for

OF WHETHER BLACKMAGIC DESIGN OR THE VENDOR HAS

packaging and shipping the defective product to a designated

ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

service center nominated by Blackmagic Design, with shipping

BLACKMAGIC DESIGN IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY ILLEGAL USE

charges pre paid. Customer shall be responsible for paying

OF EQUIPMENT BY CUSTOMER. BLACKMAGIC IS NOT LIABLE

all shipping changes, insurance, duties, taxes, and any other

FOR ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF THIS PRODUCT.

charges for products returned to us for any reason.

caused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance

‘Blackmagic Design’, “DaVinci’, ‘Resolve’, ‘DeckLink’, ‘HDLink’,

and care. Blackmagic Design shall not be obligated to furnish

‘Videohub’, ‘DeckLink’, and ‘Leading the creative video revolution’

service under this warranty: a) to repair damage resulting

are registered trademarks in the US and other countries. All

from attempts by personnel other than Blackmagic Design

other company and product names may be trade marks of their

representatives to install, repair or service the product, b) to

respective companies with which they are associated.

repair damage resulting from improper use or connection to
incompatible equipment, c) to repair any damage or malfunction

Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel

caused by the use of non Blackmagic Design parts or supplies,

Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Windows Da Vinci Resolve Config Guide 2014 06 24

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