In Praise of the Davinci Resolve Speed Editor

[vindibona1]

While we all have our preferences of video editors, for whatever reason almost 2 years ago I chose Davinci Resolve. We've hashed that one out in other threads. I've been "out of commission" for several months, holed up for the winter and really no flying and the little I've done has really been for practice, often not even turning the camera on. Yesterday I did a test run of a project I've been meaning to do for a year. The flying wasn't my best but I came back with some footage, and wanted to see what I could do with it in post.

It was the first time I'd used the speed editor or did anything serious in DR in some time. I had to reacquaint myself with the program. I hadn't used the Cut page much, doing most of the work on the Editor page. My Speed Editor needed charging and after it got charged up I opened DR to see what video I had brought home. From a pure flying/capture standpoint it wasn't my finest moment, but there were some interesting segments.

So I started to chop up the footage into smaller "acceptable" pieces with the speed editor. Even having to remind myself which buttons, dials, icons, menus were which, I was shocked at how fast I went through all the footage, gleaning only the (ahem) best pieces. Shocked.

As an aside, I was using my new iPad to fly and had totally forgotten that every device needs to have its own settings set. I usually shoot in D-Log but shot in normal mode at +/-0 exposure and the footage was a little bright in the highlights (sidewalks), but still within useable standards. While it could be improved, should I try to make something out of this footage and mercifully the exposure and color temp were consistent throughout, I got color grading done in one or two minutes. I have to wonder if I'd have been as fast if shooting in D-Log. I digress...

I would say to anyone who is considering which video editing program to get, I have to say, if you're serious about the time you spend editing, spend the $300 for the DR Studio/Speed Editor package. I was thriilled with DR without it, but now that I have it...

 

[retiredNH]

Had the same reaction when I got the speed editor and took an hour or two to learn which buttons did what.
My favorite part, of course, is the jog shuttle dial, and the ease in switching modes.
Money well spent for me too.

 

[ThatBeardedDroneGuy]

I need to familiarize myself more with the cut page. I'm so used to using the edit page instead.

 

[retiredNH]

I need to familiarize myself more with the cut page. I'm so used to using the edit page instead.

The speed editor was designed for the cut page, so it's functionality is more limited in the edit page. FYI

 

[baristabob]

Just received the Studio Speed editor about 6 weeks ago. Still in box as I decided to put in a video card which led to not being able to work in my system which led to building a new PC. So after several weeks I soon pull that Speed editor out. With the comments above, highly looking forward to it.

 

[ThatBeardedDroneGuy]

The speed editor was designed for the cut page, so it's functionality is more limited in the edit page. FYI

Hence my comment.

 

[SethB]

…I would say to anyone who is considering which video editing program to get, I have to say, if you're serious about the time you spend editing, spend the $300 for the DR Studio/Speed Editor package. I was thriilled with DR without it, but now that I have it...

I happened to be looking (once again) at the Speed Editor / Resolve 17 Studio package yesterday.

a) Yes, in Q&A at B&H’s product listing confirms that the license is good for Resolve 18. So say B&H staff and a Blackmagic rep.

b) Price is up to $395.

 

[retiredNH]

Blackmagic has said all resolve updates and new versions will be free. I've gone from 16 to 17 with no problem. Waiting for 18 to get out of beta.
Note that it's a big download - 2 GB IIRC. Each update is that big, too. They've been a good test of my fiber internet that I got early last year.

 

[vindibona1]

Had the same reaction when I got the speed editor and took an hour or two to learn which buttons did what.
My favorite part, of course, is the jog shuttle dial, and the ease in switching modes.
Money well spent for me too.

I haven’t yet learned what all the buttons do. Of course jog, shuttle and scroll are intuitive. Other than that just starting out all you really need to know to get going is “in“, “Out“, and “append“. With just the scroll wheel and the N out append buttons a newbie can just fly through cutting up clips. If I should hit the end button prematurely I can just keep going and hit it again and I just move the end point to where I hit it the second time without having to move or erase the first errant endpoint. Get scroll wheel just makes every frame count makes it easier to dial into a specific frame or perhaps a jog back-and-forth between questionable points so you can pick exactly where you want to be.

To contrast other products from other manufacturers who will sell you a $300 piece of equipment, there is nothing I’ve seen at this price point that is a solid and professional as the speed editor. Not to knock premiere pro or FCPX, I’m not aware of any solid professional piece of ancillary equipment they sell like Resolves speed editor. And the crazy thing is their black magic design will give you this equipment if you pay $300 to upgrade to the full

I happened to be looking (once again) at the Speed Editor / Resolve 17 Studio package yesterday.

a) Yes, in Q&A at B&H’s product listing confirms that the license is good for Resolve 18. So say B&H staff and a Blackmagic rep.

b) Price is up to $395.

Yep. $100 more than I paid for a year ago. We have inflation and chip shortages and probably costs more to make now. The license is good for all upgrades FOREVER. I'm not jumping on 18 until they get all the bugs worked out. Is it still in beta? I haven't checked. You're going to be shocked at how well the speed editor is built. A real piece of pro gear.

 

[MartinNWales]

Loving the speed editor. The shuttle wheel is so well weighted it's a pleasure to scrub footage and find the cut points. Did need a graphics card upgrade so I don't have to faff with proxies anymore though

 

[DJ Wes]

And the crazy thing is their black magic design will give you this equipment if you pay $300 to upgrade to the full

I don't understand this statement. Are you saying that Black Magic Design will give you the Speed Editor if you pay $300 for DaVinci Resolve Studio?

 

[vindibona1]

I don't understand this statement. Are you saying that Black Magic Design will give you the Speed Editor if you pay $300 for DaVinci Resolve Studio?

Now the price is $395. But the deal was "buy the studio license and the Speed Editor is free". Yep. Seem backwards, I know. But that's how they did it. Now it's no longer free, but packaged $100 higher than just the license. Still one heck of a deal. The editor is fully worth the $400 on it's own.

B&H DR license and Speed editor package

 

[baristabob]

Now the price is $395. But the deal was "buy the studio license and the Speed Editor is free". Yep. Seem backwards, I know. But that's how they did it. Now it's no longer free, but packaged $100 higher than just the license. Still one heck of a deal. The editor is fully worth the $400 on it's own.

B&H DR license and Speed editor package

Adorama had the 295 within the last 8 weeks

 

[vindibona1]

Adorama had the 295 within the last 8 weeks

There ya go. Its still on sale, so grab it while you have the chance. Adorama DR with Speed Controller $295 Thanks Bob. (I will be sending you a PM on a different topic because of your handle).

 

[ThatBeardedDroneGuy]

Thought I'd point this out if it matters to anyone. The word that pops out on this ad is "dongle". I've been in the computer industry for decades. To me, that means a physical, hardware key that has to be in the computer for the software to run.

The non-dongle version (apparently dubbed the product activation card) version, is $395.

ETA: I confirmed with Adorama that it does come with a physical key.

 

[vindibona1]

Thought I'd point this out if it matters to anyone. The word that pops out on this ad is "dongle". I've been in the computer industry for decades. To me, that means a physical, hardware key that has to be in the computer for the software to run.

The non-dongle version (apparently dubbed the product activation card) version, is $395.

Good catch. I was wondering if there was any advantage to the dongle and why it exists?

 

[ThatBeardedDroneGuy]

Dongles have been around more more decades than I have. From a software licensing perspective, it's a great way to prevent keys from being shared or hacked. One of the biggest things crackers do is write keygen software. Keys can easily be faked. Hardware, not so much.

It's usually something I've seen with high-end software that costs thousands of dollars but it's not uncommon to see it used for other types. A little disappointing since it ties up a USB port. Lose the dongle and you might be out of luck. I'd confirm if they can send you a new one with proof of purchase.

 

[SethB]

A dongle would be for someone who works on different computers at different locations at different times. Saves unactivating & reactivating whenever you go to work, come home, etc.

I myself use… um, about 5 computers on a regular basis between home and work. And some others occasionally.

 

[ThatBeardedDroneGuy]

That's a very good point. The Resolve license is good for two computers. If you have more than that, you'd need to deactivate one. The dongle is a way to avoid that.

 

[vindibona1]

That's a very good point. The Resolve license is good for two computers. If you have more than that, you'd need to deactivate one. The dongle is a way to avoid that.

That makes a whole lot of sense. Why would BMD want to leave the license open ended so you could share it with all your buddies. The free version anyone can download and use... again FOR FREE. The free version is pretty spectacular in its own right and competes with Adobe Premier Pro, before you have to pay for add-ons in PP.