F55: Sony Catalyst Browse & Catalyst Prepare review, comparison and write-up

You will get your best help on the Blackmagic Design forum. BMD support people as well ad users will respond
 
basspig said:
I got the 11.3.1 version of Resolve Lite to install on the main NLE. I ignored the create account thing and just choose Admin and set up my project. I played with it for almost an hour, and the program crashed 30+ times at various stages. I found I could get further if I changed from thumbnail view to detail view for the media, because when thumbnails start to display, Resolve crashes. After the 30th try, I got as far as creating a timeline, but the program crashes with my DCI 4K footage from the FS7.
I tried some QFHD footage (also XAVC) and managed to create a timeline, but as soon as I played the timeline, Resolve crashes.
No GPU warning. It's showing that it detects a nVidia GTX 680 (4GB version) and the system RAM meets the minimum requirements. I'm stumped.
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Resolve is picky about driver and Cuda versions. You may want to make sure you have a recent GTX driver from Nvidea not the MS one. Also try the latest Cuda driver.

And yes, folks on the forum on the BMD website can help solve this.

:)
 
I've installed the May 2015 nVidia drivers (for other reasons), and I have the GTX680 with 4GB VRAM. Oddly, when I was clicking on some of the clips in the libary, I got a "your GPU memory is full" which is strange, because I have the GPU with twice the amount of memory of the standard version, which is 2GB.

I have questions in the moderation queue at BMD's forum, still waiting.. Apparently the CC forums are ablaze with crash reports for Resolve. Both Mac and PC are crashing when media is touched. It's a common problem.
 
Mark have you just tried the version 10 I posted? It's rock solid, been using it on different machines really without any issues. PC and MAC.

Give it a whirl.
 
I'm downloading it now. But I often find that older versions are less stable due to predating bug fixes.

I suspect my problem is due to no internet connection on the editing computer. Maybe the installation looks to the net for certain foundation libraries and is poorly written so doesn't display an error to that effect and just installs it incomplete. The way it loads on the NLE, it looks like it is missing part of its code. Many palettes and menus missing.
 
updated first post with up to date release notes.

Just incase you bought "Prepare" and have a serial number for it, you will need a new serial number for version 2. You can get the new serial number by logging into your account with Sony online and it should appear in your list of products.

I'm still advocating the free "Browse" for clients who want my MXF files and wish to transcode themselves with a basic look. One minute is enough to show them what they need to know and go over any "gotchas" whereas trying to teach someone Davinci Resolve is far too complex and not very user friendly. Also a lot can be screwed up with clip, project, and delivery settings.
 
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starcentral said:
updated first post with up to date release notes.

Just incase you bought "Prepare" and have a serial number for it, you will need a new serial number for version 2 which is FREE but you have to get from logging into your account with Sony online and it should appear in your list of products.

I'm still advocating the free "Prepare" for clients who want my MXF files and wish the transcode themselves with a basic look. One minute is enough to show them what they need to know and go over any "gotchas" whereas trying to teach someone Davinci Resolve is far too complex and not very user friendly. Also a lot can be screwed up with clip, project, and delivery settings.
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You mean Catalyst Browse? Because Prepare is paid and it's $199 (unless I am missing a free version of this).
 
starcentral said:
What do you mean by load footage? Mine has been and still is pretty snappy?
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When opening Browse and then getting into footage directory cpu usage goes to the tops. All clips have a "loading icon", you cannot view anything (not even thumbnails). It takes 5-10 minutes then everything is responsive and snappy.
Late 2013 MBP maxed out.
 
That does not match my experience with a Late 2014 MBP. Just as Dennis said, everything comes right in within just a few seconds.
 
All my Tnunderbolt and USB3.0 drives are fast loading the thumbnails. Even the card reader itself is fast.
 
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