Blackmagic Forum

I see that Resolve Studio 14 no longer requires a dongle and a registration code can be used instead. For those of us who have dongles for the Studio version, is there a way to switch over to the registration code version so we don't have to deal with the dongle anymore?

Do we have to pay $299 for the studio if we already own the dongle? How does this work? I hope BMD will grandfather the dongle for those folks who already own it.

I had the same question, just sent a message to support. Registration code would be good. Hopefully this will help protect our investment (at least from losing a dongle), even if it is now worth $700 less than it was yesterday.

I just visited the support page and a dongle is required for the Studio beta version so it appears to be a free upgrade. At least that is my understanding.

It makes sense that a dongle is required still at the moment since they're not actually selling 14 yet. Probably once it's out of beta they'll activate the registration code feature. The dongle can still be used too, according to what Grant said in the presentation. It would be nice to not have to deal with the dongle though.

I think the no dongle version is going to be for the official release. In the beta one it's still needed.

Sure, but we still don't know if we can get a key if we already have a dongle.

Yeah, I'm positive the dongle is required for the Beta Release at the moment. I'm running it fine, but I have the dongle. So far loving it. I'm definitely seeing the performance improvements. Haven't played with the Fairlight updates yet. Just getting to know what is new on the editing side first, then will look at color, and finally audio.

I hope that Blackmagic allows dongle users to get a key. Would make it so I can run Studio on my laptop sans dongle while using Studio also on my desktop with or without the dongle.

I'm assume dongles will get an unlimited lifespan for future upgrades as we paid $999 each for it.. Just bought one extra for a render machine

Yeah,
I hope they planned something for the dongle owners, at least for the people who bought it recently...

We will announce details at final release. Our plan is all existing dongle users will be able convert to the non dongle license. All existing Studio users will have a no charge upgrade to v14 when released.

I'm getting ready to buy 12.5 from B&H at the new price. Will I still get the free upgrade to 14 when it comes out or will I have to pay for it? B&H only has 12.5.

Peter,

Please consider retaining the dongle as a valid license for those who wish to keep them. With never ending OS and other updates, some forced, anything tied too closely to a single disk/machine rather than the user, which a dongle does quite effectively, invariably causes problems.

For me, the dongle is a major plus. it gives me comfort that if my system crashes, I can quickly move the dongle to another machine and keep going. I would rather pay $995 for a dongle than $299 for some type o registration which, as has happened to me all to often with other programs in the middle of an important job, suddenly disappears.

Cheers.

Peter, should we take this as a sign that free upgrades are going to be a way of the past after v14?

Peter Chamberlain wrote:We will announce details at final release. Our plan is all existing dongle users will be able convert to the non dongle license. All existing Studio users will have a no charge upgrade to v14 when released.

THANK YOU PETER!

Ironically I have a few dongles due to the cameras. However, I'd like to escape the dongle life. Glad to hear the will be an option in the future.

I second that question, will current dongle owners have to pay for what will be v15?

Peter

I have 12.5 Studio without a dongle from the Apple App Store ... cannot run 14 Studio as have no dongle.

Do you have an upgrade path for those on Mac OS X with a valid registration code and no dongle?

Thanks

Bob Moore

Noel Sterrett wrote:Peter,
For me, the dongle is a major plus. it gives me comfort that if my system crashes, I can quickly move the dongle to another machine and keep going. I would rather pay $995 for a dongle than $299 for some type o registration which, as has happened to me all to often with other programs in the middle of an important job, suddenly disappears.
Cheers.

I second that, and the price of the dongle is actually three times the new price....Why don't you keep something like a Long Term Support for the dongle users with not just one, but at least two free upgrade (to balance the price drop) ?

Noel Sterrett wrote:Peter,

Please consider retaining the dongle as a valid license for those who wish to keep them. With never ending OS and other updates, some forced, anything tied too closely to a single disk/machine rather than the user, which a dongle does quite effectively, invariably causes problems.

For me, the dongle is a major plus. it gives me comfort that if my system crashes, I can quickly move the dongle to another machine and keep going. I would rather pay $995 for a dongle than $299 for some type o registration which, as has happened to me all to often with other programs in the middle of an important job, suddenly disappears.

Cheers.

I'm also very happy with the dongle workflow as I work a lot on location. I wish for an unlimited lifespan for the dongles.

I think it was mentioned that the dongle won't go away, but wether they're going to be free upgrades is another story. Of course it'd be absolutely great. I personally don't see the big pro of using a registration key over a dongle apart from not having to ship the hardware. I like to use my dongle on location as well and as I'm just one user I don't need multiple activated workstations.

I would like to keep the dongle.
It's so easy to change it from MacBookPro to the MacPro and back without activation/deactivating the license.

I talked over the phone with their office in UK and they told me that I will be able to use the dongle with the future updates (14, 15) without any additional fees. That's good news.

i'm buying the studio 12 licence, but the reseller in my country seemed a bit confused, or maybe it's me.. he thought he'd be selling me a dongle for the new price.
which is right?

Nicolas Horne wrote:i'm buying the studio 12 licence, but the reseller in my country seemed a bit confused, or maybe it's me.. he thought he'd be selling me a dongle for the new price.
which is right?

It should be right. In my country it's the same situation.

Alexander.Sucker wrote:I would like to keep the dongle.
It's so easy to change it from MacBookPro to the MacPro and back without activation/deactivating the license.

You're assuming they'll have an activation/deactivation system. It could be that you could enter your registration code on multiple computers. They could set a limit, but it's not uncommon for companies to allow you to run the software on 2 systems at the same time. Apple allows 5 computers for software through the App Store, and since Resolve is available on the App Store something like that would make sense.

Quick one...
Does a BlackMagic Pocket Camera Serial Number allow a key to use the Studio 14 version?

(I read that the camera owners get that version for free)

Thanks!

Installing on multiple computers - yes, but running all of them at the same time? Never heard of such a licensing scenario...

Piotr

Piotr Wozniacki wrote:Installing on multiple computers - yes, but running all of them at the same time? Never heard of such a licensing scenario...

There are scenarios where it could be handy. You might want to render a project on one system while continuing to grade on another system. You may want to do remote rendering. You may want Resolve Studio on a desktop workstation and also on a laptop for working out in the field, without the need to deactivate-activate-deactivate-activate-etc the software when going back and forth. I find myself in the last scenario quite frequently when I'm jumping between production and post-production work.

Pedro Maccarone wrote:Quick one...
Does a BlackMagic Pocket Camera Serial Number allow a key to use the Studio 14 version?

(I read that the camera owners get that version for free)

Thanks!

The Pocket and Micro Cameras as well as the Studio cameras do not ship with a dongle and thus, would not have access to the Studio version unless they purchase the dongle/license separately.

Piotr Wozniacki wrote:Installing on multiple computers - yes, but running all of them at the same time? Never heard of such a licensing scenario...

Piotr

I don't know which rock you've been under my friend... Microsoft and Apple lets you do it with products purchased from their respective store. I also have a number of other software that does let you install on 2 or 3 computer and simultaneously use it. Adobe creative cloud lets you install and run on 2 computers as well. HitFIlm Pro lets you install on 3 computers and run it simultaneously as well. So many software vendors do that... at least in the USA.

Bob Moore wrote:Peter

I have 12.5 Studio without a dongle from the Apple App Store ... cannot run 14 Studio as have no dongle.
Do you have an upgrade path for those on Mac OS X with a valid registration code and no dongle?

Thanks
Bob Moore

App Store purchases can only be updated from the App Store, when the final version is available. The App Store does not allow betas.

Hi Peter

Thanks to v14 and the amazing work you guys have done. I have finally made the decision to cut over to Resolve from Premier Pro. I have been using the free version to do my colour grading for awhile now and have just purchased v12.5 and am excited to dive head on into the resolve workflow. I am glad to hear we are going to be able to convert over our dongle licenses. I am sure I speak for many of us little guys that this is great news, one request if I could ask and if you have any power to pass on would be to allow us to install resolve on 2 computers at a time. Like many i have a Laptop when I'm out in the field and my main editing desktop when i get down to serious editing. Being able to move the dongle between the two computers is great and it would be great if we could use the non dongle license between two computers.

Thanks for all the hard work you guys are putting in, its definitely paying off!

Cheers
Rowan

It's a single activation but you can use it on your desktop and laptop at the same time. Give it a try.

I have heard that you need the original box to get a code? I have two dongles and I never kept the boxes. Why would I they offer nothing. Can I still get a code? If not will I always be able to keep using my dongle?

-Evan

We continue to support the dongles.

As previously stated above, you need proof of purchase and the serial numbers to gain the activation code from support.