Setting up a Windows system

I'm about to put together a new Windows based computer and since I now use Resolve I want to make sure I optimise the computer for editing. I have a limited budget and don't do any high end work, but want to get the best bang for my buck.

I should preface this by saying I have read through the latest V15 Resolve Configuration Guide.

The actual computer and graphics card specs are not a problem for me. I've been building computers since before Windows was invented and I work as an electronics engineer in my day job.

Where I want some clarification is in the Resolve specific configuration.

In the past, editing with Premiere I've used two 1920 x 1080 monitors for UI and a standard TV to view the program output. This worked well with Premiere, but from my experiments and what I've read I can't do this the same way with Resolve. I understand that a Blackmagic interface is absolutely required for the program monitor. No other way to do it.

Unfortunately, I've had no luck getting a second monitor to work with Resolve 14 on my current computer (high end Asus laptop). Resolve crashes hard whenever I select Workspace->Dual Monitor->On. Backmagic support have been unable to offer a solution.

This makes me a little nervous about getting Resolve to work properly on the new computer.

This is what I'd like to do:
- Use a super wide curved monitor for the UI, probably this:
http://www.samsung.com/au/monitors/led- ... 791WQEXXY/

- Use a standard 4K TV as the program monitor, connected to a Blackmagic monitor card.

So, my questions:

1/ Will Resolve make good use of a 3440 x 1440 display for the UI? I think so, but I can't actually test it before buying.

2/ Will the Intensity Pro 4K card work as a playback card for my program monitor? It's a similar price to the Decklink 4K and offers capture as well as playback.
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/au/pro ... nsitypro4k
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/au/pro ... s/W-DLK-32

3/ Although professional level colour grading is not something I need to be concerned with, it would be nice if I can get the best I can from a consumer level TV. Can you recommend a budget calibrator that would help in my situation?

I have a LG 3440x1440 monitor. I like the nice long timeline.
If it makes good use of that monitor? I don't know, what you mean by "good use"
Have a look:

Hatti

Thanks for the reply. Yes, that looks good.

Can anyone answer my other questions?

1/ Will Resolve make good use of a 3440 x 1440 display for the UI? I think so, but I can't actually test it before buying.

Depends. From R15 config guide:

For Windows and Linux systems we recommend monitors with 2560x1440 down to 1920x1200
resolution for the best layout. There are also a number of superwide screen monitors that are
suitable with 3440x1440 resolution to offer more timeline, node editor and gallery still
screen space.

UI scaling has been an issue with R14, at least on Win10 and Linux. It may work. BMD should be able to suggest some extra-wide monitors which they've tested, ditto some users here.

2/ Will the Intensity Pro 4K card work as a playback card for my program monitor?

For all intents and purposes, it should work just like a Decklink in this regard.

3/ Although professional level colour grading is not something I need to be concerned with, it would be nice if I can get the best I can from a consumer level TV. Can you recommend a budget calibrator that would help in my situation?

I would recommend Datacolor Spyder5 Pro.

UI scaling has been an issue with R14, at least on Win10 and Linux. It may work. BMD should be able to suggest some extra-wide monitors which they've tested, ditto some users here.

After putting some more thought into it, I'm thinking a UHD monitor would be better since it has more pixels, so in theory I should be able to get more of everything on it.

2/ Will the Intensity Pro 4K card work as a playback card for my program monitor?

For all intents and purposes, it should work just like a Decklink in this regard.

Okay. That's good to know.

I would recommend Datacolor Spyder5 Pro.

That seems reasonable.

Thanks for your reply.

[Peter Chamberlain]

If you are planning to purchase monitors, the v15 beta config guide specs UI monitors for win use. They are not UHD res.

If you are planning to purchase monitors, the v15 beta config guide specs UI monitors for win use. They are not UHD res.

I notice that now and it surprises me. After reading other posts about a blurry UI at certain resolutions I'm confused. Surely any resolution will be sharp as long as 100% scaling is applied?

If I was to use a UHD monitor it would be physically large enough for me to see at 100% scaling.

It's quite common for me to have 6 video and 3 audio tracks and on my current 1920 x 1080 monitor I'm forever moving things around to see them in Resolve, which is very frustrating.

wait for this monitor:

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-34WK95 ... de-monitor

You can preview full 4K videos with black bars on the side

600 nits...

wait for this monitor:

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-34WK95 ... de-monitor

You can preview full 4K videos with black bars on the side

600 nits...

Except it doesn't meet the requirements laid out for Resolve by Blackmagic.

Looks like a nice monitor, though.

I have a LG 3440x1440 monitor. I like the nice long timeline.
If it makes good use of that monitor? I don't know, what you mean by "good use"
Have a look:

Hatti

Hatti, could you please post a picture of how the Color page looks on this (3440x1440) monitor?

I'd be interested in upgrading my current UI monitor (29" 2560x1080, 29:1) as it has some limitation (the most irritating one being how - in the Color page - when I need the Keyframe Editor "timeline" exposed, there is no good space for the Scopes window - plus, after expanding all the keyframe "tracks" they do not fit all at once - even with just one Corrector expanded; after finishing a precise key manipulation and moving focus away, I need to scroll the Keyframe Editor again to see the track I'm working on - infuriating sometimes). Therefore - if you can post the Color page displayed with the 3440x1440 resolution - please expose the KeyFrame Editor and expand one of its headers... I realzie the other issue I mention could be solved by permanently moving the Scopes (which - in the single-UI screen setup - covers the Keyframe Editor), but frankly I do not have enough space on my desk for an additional monitor, so please also display the scopes in their floating window and try to place it in a location where it doesn't get in the way too often/too much... TIA!

I wish those 29:1 monitors had a larger pedestal height range, so that with the lowest position possible, the lower horizontal edge of the monitor could virtually lay on the desktop level rather than be elevated - even if "only" by some 10 cm like with my 2560x1080 model... With the reference monitor I'm using (the Panasonic SUHD HDR TV) which is hanging on the wall just above the UI display - the size of my current 29" one is as high as can get away with to avoid obscuring the lowest portion of the TV screen, so - even if based on your (hopefully) posted look of the Color page the resolution increase to 3440x1440 indicates that those 1440-1080=360 extra lines would help with my "keyframe tracks visibility" issue - I'd probably need to look for a 3440x1440 monitor with the lowest possible, physical height... Or device a non-standard way of placing it between my desk and the reference SUHD Samsung (perhaps getting rid of the pedestal all together, and designing some special way to securely "attaching" such an UI monitor directly to the surface of my desktop?)....

Looking forward to seeing your picture of the Color page with keyframe editor tracks exposed and expanded, and scopes inside their own floating window; I'd appreciate it very much, mate!

Piotr

PS. Just realized fitting a physically larger UI monitor (like a 34") would be even more difficult than I speculated above: my 5.1 audio Central speaker is placed on the desktop right in front of my current 29" UI display, so lowering the latter would cause another issue: its lowest, central portion obscured by the "satellite" speaker