Blackmagic Forum

Hi everyone!

At the moment I'm looking into getting a new machine and monitors for Da Vinci Resolve, and Black Friday/Cyber Monday could bring some nice temptations...

So, I still own an old school iMac 2009! Last year I bought both a BMUMP4.6 and a 4K BM video assistant so I got 2 full versions of Resolve, but I haven't been able to use them because my Mac too old. This tells you that quite ignorant about computer parts.
I understand that Resolve suggests some specific parts depending on the OS system. I have used OSX for the last 12 years but now is time for a change. I heard mixed comments about Windows 10 and many people love the Antergos Linux system, which for Resolve is supposed to be lighter and faster than Win. I had Ubuntu for many years on a small laptop and, once pasted the setting up stage, has been well responsive. I heard that Resolve on Linux is also the favourite for Hollywood!

Now my question is what are your recommendations in terms of hardware (GPU, CPU, RAM), monitors (reference and GUI?) and Decklink. Ideally I would set a dual boot Win 10 Pro and Antergos, so something that can work for both? If Resolve is stable on Linux I would prefer it, but I might need some other software on Win hence the dual boot.

My budget should be around £1500 but I'm sure that at least it should be stretched to £2000 (because the lowest for a 4K or UHD reference monitor is more than £1000) and this should include PC enclosure, keyboard, motherboard, SSDs and anything else around. I know, it is a mission impossible. Lets try to grab the best compromise without breaking the bank.

It would be nice to hear your recent experiences with monitors and new PCs built for Resolve both on Windows and Linux in terms of hardware, so that it can help me to grab some decent bargains if they shows up in the next days! I would primary used on BM RAW and prores XQ max from my camera and anything equal or lower than that. Nothing higher than my 4.6K anyway.
Also if you have direct links to UK/European sellers and tested machines for Resolve, appreciated!

Thanks!
Luca

You might get more responses in the Davinci Resolve section of the forum, but just a quick note about your computer specs: everything is spelled out clearly in the Configuration Guide, available at https://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/ ... _Guide.pdf

For Linux, you'd need CentOS.

Just about any decent monitor with adequate resolution will work for the GUI; the Dell Ultrasharp 25" is what I use for GUI. For reference monitor I'm using an Eizo CG277, but I'm not sure if that's the best for 4K/UHD.

Thanks Brad!

Anyone has tips for a decent 4K reference monitor around £1000 budget? If I'm right is something that has to be good enough for motion blur.

MishaEngel wrote:

Luca Rocchini wrote:Thanks Brad!

Anyone has tips for a decent 4K reference monitor around £1000 budget? If I'm right is something that has to be good enough for motion blur.

https://www.benq.com/en/monitor/photographer/sw271.html

Thanks Misha!

I wonder if I use a 2K monitor for 4K footage what are the cons? I read that can be more difficult if monitor refresh at 60Hz.

Might this model work decently with rec709 o rec2020 instead?

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/27-benq ... dvi-usb-30

Do I need SDI 10bit output from the PC or HDMI 2.0 or DP port would do the trick?

When you deliver in rec 709, rec2020 and DCI you will need atleast something like the B&Q SW271.
When you do just rec709 and/or youtube almost any monitor will do.
Remember that you also need a declink card to output it's signal to the grading monitor.
Minimum https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink/techspecs/W-DLK-32

MishaEngel wrote:When you deliver in rec 709, rec2020 and DCI you will need atleast something like the B&Q SW271.
When you do just rec709 and/or youtube almost any monitor will do.
Remember that you also need a declink card to output it's signal to the grading monitor.
Minimum https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink/techspecs/W-DLK-32

Great I think I will go with that SW271, many recommended it. Thanks!

MishaEngel wrote:When you deliver in rec 709, rec2020 and DCI you will need atleast something like the B&Q SW271.
When you do just rec709 and/or youtube almost any monitor will do.
Remember that you also need a declink card to output it's signal to the grading monitor.
Minimum https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/decklink/techspecs/W-DLK-32

Hi Misha
Reading the sw271 product overview, it seems that the USB-c would be just as good to output 4k footage with no loss.
As the motherboard MSI B450 Tomahawk ATX has one USB-c output, I wonder if I can skip to get me the Decklink?
Also, are Displayport better than hdmi?
Or for 10 bit output it's best to use the Decklink?

Cheers

No, you can only use the DeckLink outputs for Resolve monitoring.

Jack Fairley wrote:No, you can only use the DeckLink outputs for Resolve monitoring.

Like Jack said.