Concern about Frame.io integration in DaVinci Resolve 20

Hi,

I’m currently using DaVinci Resolve 19, and the integration with Frame.io works well — I rely heavily on the ability to receive direct feedback with annotations synced straight to my timeline. It’s an essential part of my workflow, especially when collaborating with clients around the world.

I’ve been considering upgrading to Resolve 20, but I’m concerned that Frame.io might no longer be supported in the same seamless way. To me, the value lies in the simplicity: my clients can review the material online and send comments that appear directly in my timeline. That feature is absolutely priceless.

I reached out to Frame.io and received the following response:

“Blackmagic built this Resolve integration using our public API. There have been no recent updates from Blackmagic for this integration, which means bugs and unexpected behavior are expected. Feature requests and bugs for this integration will likely not be addressed in the future.”

So my questions are:
• Should I expect that Frame.io will no longer function reliably in Resolve 20?
• If so, is Blackmagic planning to replace it with an alternative solution for timeline-synced annotations?
• Are there any tools being developed for this kind of cloud-based client feedback directly into the timeline?

I’m surprised this feature isn’t a higher priority, as it solves a very real problem for editors and producers working remotely. Am I the only one still depending on this type of streamlined collaboration?

Thanks in advance,
Josef

• Should I expect that Frame.io will no longer function reliably in Resolve 20?

No more or less so than with v19, just don't upgrade to Frame.io v4 on your end... the public API they've built for Frame.io v4 is not backward compatible with their earlier public API, which is what BMD used for the integration in Resolve.

• If so, is Blackmagic planning to replace it with an alternative solution for timeline-synced annotations?

Blackmagic have already developed and released their own solution via Blackmagic Cloud Presentations.

• Are there any tools being developed for this kind of cloud-based client feedback directly into the timeline?

Other than BMD's own Presentations functionality, you could ask Frame.io to develop and support their own integration for Frame.io v4 in Resolve using Resolve's Workflow Integrations API. Frame.io have done this for Adobe Premiere (before they were bought by Adobe) and for Apple Final Cut Pro.

Just to clarify – does that mean I can upgrade to DaVinci Resolve 20 and still keep the same compatibility with timeline-synced annotations via Frame.io, as long as I don’t upgrade to Frame.io v4?
Will I still be able to upload to Frame.io using the export functions in Resolve 20 just like in v19?

I haven’t – and don’t plan to – upgrade to Frame.io v4 since I understand it’s not compatible with the integration Blackmagic built.

Also, I haven’t used Blackmagic’s new solution yet – the Blackmagic Cloud Presentations.
Is it similar to Frame.io in that my clients can review content, make annotations, and I receive those directly in my timeline?
Does it also support managing multiple users with different permissions across separate projects, like Frame.io does?

If you happen to know, I’d really appreciate the insight.
Thanks again for replying!

Best regards,
Josef

Just to clarify – does that mean I can upgrade to DaVinci Resolve 20 and still keep the same compatibility with timeline-synced annotations via Frame.io, as long as I don’t upgrade to Frame.io v4?

Yes, thats working for me here on my Resolve v20 beta test machine.

Will I still be able to upload to Frame.io using the export functions in Resolve 20 just like in v19?

Still working for me here.

Is it [Presentations] similar to Frame.io in that my clients can review content, make annotations, and I receive those directly in my timeline?

Yep, you send them a review link and they can use it to view and leave markers/comments... and you receive those markers/comments directly in the timeline.

Does it also support managing multiple users with different permissions across separate projects, like Frame.io does?

No, I don't think it's that advanced yet... personally, I'm still using Frame.io... there are a few short threads discussing Blackmagic Cloud / Presentations (and its flaws) on the forum, so you might want to have a look.