Blackmagic Forum

Hello fellow members

I have started to use DBR a few months back and I am still learning. I store all my project files and media files on an external HDD and I have also created an external database on the same external HDD for DBR to use.

The main reason is I would like to be able to work on both my PC and Laptop on the same project, if need be. Unfortunately, I am unable to load the external database when I am running the Laptop with the external HDD connected. The first screen of DBR is not showing the external database.

I am sure I am missing something and there must be a way to access the same project on multiple machines. Please let me know how may I do it.

Thank you all.

Make sure the hard drive is assigned the same drive letter on each computer.

How well it will work is another thing.

I'm guessing you're storing the database on the external drive?

I've done it in the past with an external SSD and it was usable.

Make regular backups.

Mike Warren wrote:Make sure the hard drive is assigned the same drive letter on each computer.

How well it will work is another thing.

I'm guessing you're storing the database on the external drive?

I've done it in the past with an external SSD and it was usable.

Make regular backups.

Thank you for your reply. I have made sure that the laptop also assigns the same drive letter to the external HDD. Could you please tell me how to make DBR 'see' the external database when the external HDD is connected to the laptop?

SRoyCh wrote:Could you please tell me how to make DBR 'see' the external database when the external HDD is connected to the laptop?

This is how I do it:

Computer 1

Firstly, create a folder on the drive for the project.

Inside this folder I create 2 new folders, database and Assets.

All the media goes in Assets.

Next, from the Project Manager window I click the New Database button, give it a name and then browse to the database folder created earlier.

Click Select Folder and then click Create

Then create a project in this new database. If you already have the project in another database you'll need to export a DRP from that and then import it into this new database.


Computer 2

From the Project Manager window click the Connect Database button, give it a name and then browse to the database folder created earlier.

Click Select Folder and then click Connect.


I use this process regularly with removable dives connected via SATA, but have done it a couple of times with USB3 SSD drives. My projects are typically UHD MP4 sources in HD timelines.

Thanks so much. This is going to be a huge help for me. I shall post the result as soon as I try this method.

SRoyCh wrote:Thanks so much. This is going to be a huge help for me. I shall post the result as soon as I try this method.

I just fixed an error. In the Computer 2 section, click the Connect Database button, not New Database. I've edited my post to correct this.

Mike Warren wrote:

SRoyCh wrote:Thanks so much. This is going to be a huge help for me. I shall post the result as soon as I try this method.

I just fixed an error. In the Computer 2 section, click the Connect Database button, not New Database. I've edited my post to correct this.

Thank you so much. I was going to ask you about this.