Blackmagic Forum

I normally don't install DVR betas, because I don't want to expose my projects to delays due to beta foibles. But I am about to shoot a 3-person roundtable video on Wednesday with 4 cameras and a field recorder. The new features in V20 are so tempting for me. I want to install V20, and give it a go with this project.

But, I am a realist. I suspect I'll end-up finding a dead-end and have to start the project again on V19.1.4. But the advantages are so large it is worth the minor risk.

So a question ... how do I do this? I read one post that says you rename the current DVR folder (maybe call that "Official DVR"), and then install V20. If I understand, you can set-up two shortcuts, and then decide which one to run. Official DVR for all my current projects, and the newly installed DVR for this new project.

Other than the obvious stupidity of editing a "real" project on beta software, is there anything I need to know?

BTW, I run both Windows and Mac, but this question will involve just Windows. My rig:

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
AMD Threadripper PRO WRX80 EATX
Processor AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX 32-Cores, 3600 Mhz, 32 Core(s), 64 Logical Boot
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 256 GB
16TB SSD RAID
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090


Thanks in advance for any advice/comments!

Take a system image using Macrium or similar. Backup project .drp's. Install 20 & test well.If you have problems then restore your original image. Windows also has a built-in image facility.

Much easier if sys drive is in a caddy as you can clone the drive to use v20. Be aware that software cloning may effect program actuation count.

The approach I use and recommend is to install new versions (whether Beta or not) on a second system for testing before upgrading your primary edit system.

NeilMyers wrote:So a question ... how do I do this? I read one post that says you rename the current DVR folder (maybe call that "Official DVR"), and then install V20. If I understand, you can set-up two shortcuts, and then decide which one to run. Official DVR for all my current projects, and the newly installed DVR for this new project.
Thanks in advance for any advice/comments!

that's how i do it, works for me,
completly unsupported, not advised, if something breaks better be able to fix it your self,
but that said....
currently have 16.2 - 17. - 18.1 - 18.4 - 19.1- 20.0b1 on my systems
known / expected to NOT work:
- the Red decoder is not sandboxed, so any earlier projects with .r3d media will show as offline, have to run that in v20, ArriRAW and Venice OCN are fine, that all i typicaly see from my cleint base
- surfaces depending on want you are useing may not function, or function weirdly, so be happy with a mouse, although 18.1/18.4/19 all work with my Tangent Elements, have not yet checked the Mini panel

For a lot of reasons, we don't suggest that users try to install Resolve 19 & 20 together on the same system. The Project Database formats are different, and you run the risk of opening up a 19 project in Resolve 20, and once that happens, you can't go back.

As long as you maintain SEPARATE DATABASES, it can work, but you have to be really careful and vigilant. Chadwick Shoults has more on the subject:

I think the safest option is using dual boot, and this is what I will do to install Resolve 20 Beta on my laptop.