Blackmagic Forum

But thread here says "Public Beta" for 20?

So is 20 released and available for purchase?

Rob.

All of the above.

DaVinci Resolve 20 is in public beta. It can be downloaded and used.
The DaVinci Resolve Studio license purchase allows you to use both prior versions and 20.0 betas.

Just remember to:
a. download the Studio version to activate your license.
b. back up any individual projects you intend to open on 20 beta - so in case you would like to install 19.1.4, you have a backup copy.

Basically, when you buy a Resolve Studio License you’re not buying it for a particular version. You can buy the dongle or the software activation license from a BMD retailer and then go to the BMD Support website and download the Resolve Studio - any version you like.

If you want a stable and GA version, you’ll probably want to download the latest version 19. If you’re look into try out a new feature that’s only on R20 and willing to experience issues then you’ll want to get the beta for R20 because that’s it for now, probably for several months until it becomes GA. At that time, you can get the GA version.

But the bottom line is, buy the studio license and activate it for whatever version you’re interested in using.

And do not buy the App Store version if you're on a Mac.

Actually I would say DO NOT use the Davinci 20 beta at all. In a rush to include a bunch of AL tools they broke many basic functions that make using the software a nightmare:

- Crashes constantly when trying to simply OPEN the program.
- if you do get it open, then it will crash if you switch tabs too soon.
- when switching tabs, the program reverts to full screen. Every time.
- when using new AI tools like Magic mask, it will crash when you reopen a project that uses it when you attempt to scrub.
- etc etc

Seriously, worst 'upgrade' I have ever seen in my life. This program was the absolute best until now. PLEASE FIX this garbage update.

I have two Studio 19 licenses, just use those same keys in 20 Beta?

Rob

Ellory Yu wrote:Basically, when you buy a Resolve Studio License you’re not buying it for a particular version. You can buy the dongle or the software activation license from a BMD retailer and then go to the BMD Support website and download the Resolve Studio - any version you like.

If you want a stable and GA version, you’ll probably want to download the latest version 19. If you’re look into try out a new feature that’s only on R20 and willing to experience issues then you’ll want to get the beta for R20 because that’s it for now, probably for several months until it becomes GA. At that time, you can get the GA version.

But the bottom line is, buy the studio license and activate it for whatever version you’re interested in using.

Is there any advantage of the dongle over the software activation license?

jarod_gibson wrote:Actually I would say DO NOT use the Davinci 20 beta at all. In a rush to include a bunch of AL tools they broke many basic functions that make using the software a nightmare:

- Crashes constantly when trying to simply OPEN the program.
- if you do get it open, then it will crash if you switch tabs too soon.
- when switching tabs, the program reverts to full screen. Every time.
- when using new AI tools like Magic mask, it will crash when you reopen a project that uses it when you attempt to scrub.
- etc etc

Seriously, worst 'upgrade' I have ever seen in my life. This program was the absolute best until now. PLEASE FIX this garbage update.

V20 Beta has been very stable with me and I am not facing any of the problems you mentioned and many users have the same experience as mine.

After testing V20 Beta for over 2 weeks, I am now editing a real project with it and overall it is running smoothly. Of course I would not recommend to anyone to work with real project with a beta version, but I am willing to take the risk.

On the other hand, what you and others are facing is related to specific hardware configuration so you shouldn't generalize that every V20 user will have that problems.

Can 20 Beta run “side-by-side” with 19 or do I need to install on another PC?

I currently have two 19’s running on different PCs and one operates in “headless” mode.

Does 20 Beta have a headless mode?

I’m mostly AMD boxes, but I do have a couple of Intel boxes also … if 20 Beta can’t run side by side, will I run into license count issues if I install 20 Beta on an Intel box?

Yasser Saeed wrote:Is there any advantage of the dongle over the software activation license?

Advantage: no Internet connection needed; can easily take with you
Disadvantage: only 1 computer at a time (where the license lets you use 2 at once).
I have 2 dongles for my needs.

Rob Ainscough wrote:I have two Studio 19 licenses, just use those same keys in 20 Beta?

Rob

Yes - you wont have to re-enter the license keys if installed on a machine with v19 already licensed. Installation of v20 will overwrite your v19 installation. I've heard that side-by-side can be accomplished (it's easier on a Mac, though) but I'm not sure it's wise to do so, depending on your experience level. I would backup all your projects separately and also backup your database(s). While the database schema for v20 is compatible with v19, the individual projects are not and once you open a project in v20, you can't open that project in earlier versions of Resolve.

jarod_gibson wrote:Actually I would say DO NOT use the Davinci 20 beta at all. In a rush to include a bunch of AL tools they broke many basic functions that make using the software a nightmare:

- Crashes constantly when trying to simply OPEN the program.
- if you do get it open, then it will crash if you switch tabs too soon.
- when switching tabs, the program reverts to full screen. Every time.
- when using new AI tools like Magic mask, it will crash when you reopen a project that uses it when you attempt to scrub.
- etc etc

Seriously, worst 'upgrade' I have ever seen in my life. This program was the absolute best until now. PLEASE FIX this garbage update.

Interesting. I just had one CTD when messing with new subtitles options. Maybe do BMD a favor and post your system specs at least?

Steve Alexander wrote:Installation of v20 will overwrite your v19 installation….

Thanks, in that case I’ll install V20 on two PCs that don’t have any prior DR versions and hopefully doesn’t trigger any license issues with my other V19 installs. I need to verify headless mode is working in V20 also.

Yasser Saeed wrote:Is there any advantage of the dongle over the software activation license?

The advantage, for my use case, is my work computers are not Internet connected. Also when I have to travel or doing work on location where Internet is not available, I just bring and use the dongle. Other than that it’s got everything that you get with the activation key. With the dongle, you can only use it on 1 computer - the one it is attached to.

visualfeast wrote:

Yasser Saeed wrote:Is there any advantage of the dongle over the software activation license?

Advantage: no Internet connection needed; can easily take with you
Disadvantage: only 1 computer at a time (where the license lets you use 2 at once).
I have 2 dongles for my needs.

I understand that dongle does not require internet, but who doesn't have internet now days?

What do you mean can easily take with you?

Ellory Yu wrote:

Yasser Saeed wrote:Is there any advantage of the dongle over the software activation license?

The advantage, for my use case, is my work computers are not Internet connected. Also when I have to travel or doing work on location where Internet is not available, I just bring and use the dongle. Other than that it’s got everything that you get with the activation key. With the dongle, you can only use it on 1 computer - the one it is attached to.

But my understanding is that internet required during the activation process, after that you can run Resolve without internet connection.. right?

Not sure about others, but use case for Dongle are many, especially if shooting in remote areas and “editing/preview” on the fly on location where there is no internet and never will be (not even Starlink).

I’ve edited using DR on my iPad M4 cellular … oddly my iPad M4 can edit 8K-24 files that my PCs can’t for some odd reason.

Internet connection is required only to activate the license the first time. Then you can use the software offline as long as you want.