Proxy playback is choppy/ Export is choppy

I really would like to start using Resolve and never pay Adobe any more money ever, but stuff like this makes me doubt that will ever be possible.

I've just started learning Resolve; I get some RED footage from their website to color correct; I attempt some exports with different settings to see how Resolve performs.

1) MXF with DNxHR codec produces a file that does not playback smoothly.

2) I make a proxy to attempt to see smooth playback in Resolve... even the PROXY won't playback smoothly. Keep in mind that if I locate the file on the disk and play it back with the windows media player it WILL play... just not smoothly in Resolve

3) The "delete render cache files" option in the playback menu deletes NOTHING. Because I'm already looking at the folder on the disk to see the file playback outside of Resolve I can tell that Resolve doesn't delete it; it needs to be deleted manually.

4) H.264 and DNxHD will export a file that plays back smoothly, DNxHD is limited to 1080 resolution however... H.264 will export in 4k, but who is going to want high end video delivered in h.264 mp4?
Ok so.... how here's where it gets BAD!

5) Now, keep in mind up front I already deleted ALL proxy files, ALL optimized media files that I made MANUALLY after seeing the Resolve's menu options don't work. This time when I attempt to export DNxHR again to see what will happen Resolve switches to a shrunken down frame size on export... the PROXY that has been deleted!!!!!! FOR THE EXPORT!!! I thought Resolve knew to NOT export the proxy and would switch out of proxy use on export even if the user forgets to make the switch in the menu. So HOW is it exported what looks like the shrunken down proxy file THAT HAD BEEN DELETED?????

I checked the finished export (second DNxHR), it is indeed not full frame and choppy... so now again even the proxy re-render can't playback smoothly.

How can Resolve be serious? WHAT IS THIS? This is only a 38 second test I'm conducting and Resolve is failing on almost every level... how can people actually use this professionally????????
Do I need to buy the studio version of the software to get Resolve to NOT export a timeline with a deleted proxy file?

Can you share the link for the file you're testing?

I get some RED footage from their website to color correct

It MAY help to get details on the original clips format and frame rate.

1) MXF with DNxHR codec produces a file that does not playback smoothly.

From experience here it MAY be that there is an Interlace setting in your Project settings that is not right. The DNxHR codec has no option for interlace and may not understand it at all.
This may also why DNxHD plays back properly as it understands interlace and field order. I think the H264 codec is suspect with interlace field ordr and requires Resolve Project settings to allow deinterlacing to be set correctly.
Here I set Studio's Project Setting's to use the Neural Engine deinterlacing option. If in an interlace project Resolve allows me to Open a new timeline from the Edit pages File Menu. Then change that timelines frame rate to progressive. Copy the original timelines media and paste it into the empty new progressive timeline. Playback becomes smooth and DNxHR exports are possible. Not a very time consuming workaround for few clips. If many clips I would make footage string out timelines (Cut Page) convert to Progressive as above and export these as delivery format individual clips. Bring these clips back into a new progressive Project and make proxies if required.

I hope this helps
Alayne

Can you detail the specs of your machine and drive speed?

Did you go to Project Setting and assign the resolution you want? Half, one quarter, one eighths, one sixteenth resolution.
In the June manual on page 116, it has detailed info on Proxy media.

Even to use the free ver of davinci you need a computer........