After releasing its new Atem Mini Pro, DaVinci Resolve receives a significant boost with version 16.2.1 that adds RED R3D GPU acceleration support through Metal. 

Software performance relies heavily on the machine that you are working on, but if the program isn't taking advantage of all the specs found on the machine, it can be frustrating. Blackmagic and RED developers have improved the performance of R3D files. DaVinci Resolve 16.2.1 provides support for Metal-based R3D decode with the RED 7.3 RC SDK. The one caveat is that it's only for Mac users. 

The software update adds a slew of performance upgrades, including 32-bit float audio in QuickTime clips. This is good news for those recording with Sound Devices MixPre series or the Zoom F6 which have the ability to record 32-bit float files. QuickTime audio clips can now be trimmed in media management as well. Both encoding and decoding H.265 4:4:4 12-bit are now supported via NVIDIA GPUs and H.265 4:4:4 clips up to 10-bit receive improved decode support. 

DaVinci Resolve 16.2.1

  • Support for decoding H.265 4:4:4 12-bit on supported NVIDIA GPUs
  • Support for encoding H.265 4:4:4 12-bit on supported NVIDIA GPUs
  • Support for encoding 32 bit float audio in QuickTime clips
  • Support for trimming QuickTime audio clips during media management
  • Support for Metal based R3D decode with the RED 7.3 RC SDK
  • Support for double clicking drp files in Windows and Linux.
  • Support for performing open with on FCP7 XML files on Windows
  • Improved decode support of H.265 4:4:4 clips up to 10-bit
  • Improved performance with ProRes clips on high end CPUs
  • Improved performance with DNxHR clips on high end CPUs
  • Improved playback performance with compressed OpenEXR clips
  • Improved performance for Dolby Vision analysis
  • Improved stability on Windows systems with Intel graphics
  • Addressed an issue with clean feed previews in Mac 10.15.4
  • Addressed an issue with decoding phone camera clips with AAC audio
  • Addressed an issue with truncated node labels on some displays
  • Addressed issues with HDR tone mapping when using adjustment layers
  • Addressed an issue with the sync bin work working with an empty timeline
  • Addressed an issue with transitions when dragging clips across timelines
  • Multiple performance and stability improvements

Blackmagic has also released a handy support document detailing all the supported formats and codecs for DaVinci Resolve. It can be downloaded directly here. Firmware 16.2.1 can be found on its support page. 

Source: Blackmagic Design

blackmagic designDaVinci Resolve
Editing & Post-Production