Workflow: systems- Resolve - Raw

S

sunburst

Well-known member
As I look at my laptop, I realize its underpowered for resolve and DNG raw workflow. Im currently
on Windows, so wondering if anyones got laptop ideas that can handle the workflow. I'm also
interested in GPU power choices for editing, and 3d. thanks.

Also workstations could be discussed as well.
 
RESOLVE SPECS WINDOWS:

Black Magic Design has certified 2 workstations, but you can also use generic hardware as long as it meets the following criteria:
Windows 7 Pro with SP1, 64-bit
12 GB RAM or higher
NVIDIA GPU for the GUI card. The lower cost NVIDIA Quadro 600 can be used with 2D video. The Quadro 4000 can be used with 2D and 3D video.
One or more NVIDIA CUDA capable cards for image processing. The following certified cards are listed in order of increasing power: Quadro 4000, GeForce GTX 580, Quadro 5000 and Quadro 6000.
NVIDIA driver 280.26
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D+ card for monitoring
Fast storage connected by SATA, SAS or Fiber Channel

If you are looking at using SSD disks you need to test them with the "Blackmagic Disk Speed Test" utility. Some models of SSD cannot save video data at the speed indicated by the manufacturer
 
John Brawley says he is using a 17'' quad I7s MBP and says it chugs right along. Looking into the same machine to update my older 17'' 2.5 core 2 duo. Im just hoping my older 2.6 quad Mac Pro will do alright. Im thinking I might have to update the video card...

Jon
 
edit: not sure if a windows laptop can run resolve. I hope so, even out of these specs!

==================

Resolve on Windows can be configured with 1, 2 or 4 GPU units. 1 GPU is good for work up to 2K, where the 4 GPU version will run very well up to 4K.

Certified Workstations

HEWLETT-PACKARD
Computer: HP Z800 Workstation
CPU: 2x Intel Xeon X5660 2.8 GHz
RAM: 12GB (6 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 ECC RAM
Hard Disk: 1 x SATA 7200 1TB
DVD Drive: 1 x DVD-RW drive, SATA, Black
Operating System: Windows 7 Pro with SP1, 64-bit

or

SUPERMICRO
Computer: Supermicro SuperServer 7046GTTRF
Black 4RU Rackmountable/Tower
CPU: 2x Intel Xeon X5650 2.67 GHz
RAM: 12GB (6 x 2GB) PC3-10667
ECC Reg DDR3-1333 SDRAM
Hard Disk: 1 x SATA 7200 1TB
DVD Drive: 1 x DVD-RW drive, SATA, Black
Operating System: Windows 7 Pro with SP1, 64-bit


Graphics Processor for GUI
NVIDIA Quadro 600 (for 2D only), or
NVIDIA Quadro 4000

Graphics Processor for CUDA GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580
NVIDIA Quadro 4000
NVIDIA Quadro 5000
NVIDIA Quadro 6000

Capture Card
Blackmagic Design DeckLink HD Extreme 3D+

Optional Codec Support
RED Rocket PCIe hardware card for 2D, or 2 RED Rocket PCIe hardware cards for 3D,

Supported Control Panels
DaVinci Resolve Control Surface with USB
Avid Artist Color
JLCooper ECLIPSE CX
Tangent Devices WAVE
 
Jon Neely said:
John Brawley says he is using a 17'' quad I7s MBP and says it chugs right along. Looking into the same machine to update my older 17'' 2.5 core 2 duo. Im just hoping my older 2.6 quad Mac Pro will do alright. Im thinking I might have to update the video card...

Jon
Click to expand...

thanks. Ive never used mac { yeah, I know. I SUFFERED through all windows -- Im on a budget -- till Win 7 came along. Win 7 is actually 99 % good IMHO }

I'm a sony vegas fan, so doubt I could fall in love with FCP . { Ive looked at a couple training vids, and they didnt really float my 7D }

But if push, comes to shove, I suppose I could go to the other side { the darkside? LOL }

but would love to get a new windows laptop that could handle resolve, and all the new GPU era requirements { editing, 3d }
 
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Those Quadro cards I bet are super pricey. But GAMING CARDS should run this, even out of spec right? Lets find prebuilt laptops and workstations, with high end gaming cards, that can run resolve, DNG, and 3d like butter!

UPDATE : the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 is in spec. yeah its about a 500 dollar
card.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Mini-HDM...VUBG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335117829&sr=8-2

I dont see any windows laptop graphics cards certified, so it's probably trial and error.
 
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The Quadro 600 card is actually not too bad, Over here they run at £160 or so, so should be cheaper in the States. A 3Gig FX580 is also under £400, so not too bad.

I've edited DNxHD 185 on a 6yr old Dell dual core using an eSATA drive without too much hassle. But I really would not try to grade with Resolve on a laptop, as you'll need at least a wide-gamut monitor, I'm using an old Dell 2709 Ultrasharp, and may have to upgrade it.

I'm in a similar position, but with a desktop, budgeting for another 8 gig ram and a FX580 / 3gig. Not sure if I'll really need a Decklink, hope not as I'm on a tight budget and have had some fairly horrendous household bills that have eaten into my camera funds.
 
daveswan said:
The Quadro 600 card is actually not too bad, Over here they run at £160 or so, so should be cheaper in the States. A 3Gig FX580 is also under £400, so not too bad.

I've edited DNxHD 185 on a 6yr old Dell dual core using an eSATA drive without too much hassle. But I really would not try to grade with Resolve on a laptop, as you'll need at least a wide-gamut monitor, I'm using an old Dell 2709 Ultrasharp, and may have to upgrade it.

I'm in a similar position, but with a desktop, budgeting for another 8 gig ram and a FX580 / 3gig. Not sure if I'll really need a Decklink, hope not as I'm on a tight budget and have had some fairly horrendous household bills that have eaten into my camera funds.
Click to expand...

thanks, Man.

yeah I forgot about MONITOR! oh boy, yeah, thats critical. Well Ill be looking for the lowest cost monitor that can squeak by for windows. { you can also hook up a second monitor to your laptop, or course. but not sure if the laptop cards can handle the specs? }

UPDATE: Is there any SOFTWARE that can try and force a standard windows monitor into
GRADING SPECS?
 
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I've also been thinking of getting a relativly small, say 40" top-end plasma TV for grading, such as one of the Panny V or VT series which are THX certified, but they ain't cheap. Still cheaper than a grading monitor though
 
Probably (Envy... the damn thing costs a hell of a lot more over here). THX is really a home cinema qualification, the only reason for going for a THX-certified TV is for it's adjustability. It's not a purpose-made grading monitor, but might do duty at a pinch. Real grading monitors are in the £20k range. I *think* I would go for the V-series which are more cinema-orientated.

I'm waiting for someone to come on here and say if you're not buying a Grade-1 monitor you're a cheapskate who's not doing things properly.
 
A properly calibrated production monitor is close enough.

Look on the bright side, though: this could push mass manufactured Pc displays to come color calibrated for post work, etc. where there's a large market manufacturers will go.
 
daveswan said:
Probably (Envy... the damn thing costs a hell of a lot more over here). THX is really a home cinema qualification, the only reason for going for a THX-certified TV is for it's adjustability. It's not a purpose-made grading monitor, but might do duty at a pinch. Real grading monitors are in the £20k range. I *think* I would go for the V-series which are more cinema-orientated.


I'm waiting for someone to come on here and say if you're not buying a Grade-1 monitor you're a cheapskate who's not doing things properly.
Click to expand...

[[UPDATES ADDED : I see others have replied before me,]]

ah sorry about the price difference, I forget thats not a universal price.

Well you can call me a cheapskate, I'm just an advanced hobbiest pretending to be a pro :thumbsup: But if this solution gets me 90 percent of the way there - I'm a happy magic cam camper!

This now begs for one of the top guns here to review / compare these THX Tv's to a Top grading monitor / and as Kholi has suggested, a properly calibrated production monitor !
 
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sunburst said:
ah sorry about the price difference, I forget thats not a universal price.

Well you can call my a cheapskate, I'm just an advanced hobbiest pretending to be a pro :thumbsup: But if this solution gets me 90 percent of the way there - I'm a happy magic cam camper!

This now begs for one of the top guns here to review / compare these THX Tv's to a Top grading monitor / and as Kholi has suggested, a properly calibrated production monitor !

[[UPDATE: I see others have replied before me,]]
Click to expand...

:D

I'm in the same position, looking for cheapskate solutions that will get me 90% there!
 
Next thing is: what´s your output.

Even if a TV is 90% there - how do you feed it without SDI in?
Intensity got only 8bit HDMI Output - or we could use a SDi to HDMI converter.
What graphic cards got at least 10bit HDMI out?

Does it mater at all, cause delivery will be (in most cases) 8bit anyway - much of the cheaper consumer TV and computer monitors are 6bit.
 
It matters when you're delivering master quality and broadcast standards, yes.

But, when it comes to private owning, a Dreamcolor is out of my price range as well.

So, just another hurdle. And, really, how many here are producing for broadcast or big screen, anyway? Most of it's going to web. Eighty percent of the way is probably good enough for that space. If you really need one-hundred then chances are you have the money for it, too.
 
Dreamcolors can probably be found for around $2k.
But if one can settle for 8-bit, there surely are some cheaper options (with IPS matrices) that cover sRGB/Rec709 reasonably well and can be calibrated to do that with minimal deviations.
 
Postmaster said:
Next thing is: what´s your output.



Even if a TV is 90% there - how do you feed it without SDI in?
Intensity got only 8bit HDMI Output - or we could use a SDi to HDMI converter.
What graphic cards got at least 10bit HDMI out?

Does it mater at all, cause delivery will be (in most cases) 8bit anyway - much of the cheaper consumer TV and computer monitors are 6bit.
Click to expand...

well, I happen to be in the market for a big screen Tv anyway -- so this would kill 2 birds with one stone. I have no idea what inputs and outputs are needed however

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

Kholi said:
It matters when you're delivering master quality and broadcast standards, yes.
..................... ...And, really, how many here are producing for broadcast or big screen, anyway? Most of it's going to web. Eighty percent of the way is probably good enough for that space. If you really need one-hundred then chances are you have the money for it, too.
Click to expand...

if I can get 80/ 90 percent for web, with THX TV + resolve -- great! If the studio wants to recolorize/ re-time for my debut at Manns chinese -- let them foot the bill.:smile:
 
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