DaVinci Resolve is professional non-linear video editing software. This is a good opportunity to try something new that might surprise you.

I met DaVinci when I started teaching editing on a vlogging course. Why didn't we choose the more popular options: Final Cut Pro with a simple interface, or the regular and my good friend Premiere Pro? The answer is next.

Price

You can download Resolve from the official website for free - of course, this was important for us, because we could not give the students a trial version of Premiere or its hacked version. You can download DaVinci Resolve for Mac OS for free at the https://install.download/mac-os/davinci-resolve 

You can also pay $299 to get a perpetual license for Resolve Studio.

Yes, it's not cheap. But Blackmagic - the creators of DaVinci - say that all future versions (even with major changes) will be free to all licensees. So in this regard, the same Adobe Premiere nervously smokes on the sidelines.

Do you need the Studio version? 

Rather, it is a must for professionals who work with stereoscopic 3D audio, up to 120fps, up to 32K resolution, HDR standard, and so on.

If you're happy to settle for 60fps, up to 4K resolution, and are happy with the already advanced color correction tools and more, then the free version will satisfy all your needs.

Convenience

The program can be described as complex - in one place there are tools for editing video, audio, animated graphics and export. 

Easy to use, well-structured workflow - from adding files to editing them, working with effects in the Fusion tab, color correction, sound enhancement, and then rendering and saving the file.

Technical points 

• Copes with the synchronization of various sources;
• Platform independence, ability to work on projects on Mac or PC, regular updates for new codecs and cameras;
• You can edit almost any format without worrying about compatibility;
• Some programs, such as FinalCutPro, record and store large amounts of render data that fill up hard drives. DaVinci doesn't have this problem because it deletes the render files when it's done.

Color correction

Resolve started life as a color grading tool. Therefore, this section is its pride and strongest point.

The program provides many tools for working with color, which can help take your videos to the next level and get closer to achieving a truly cinematic picture.

In particular, I want to note that DaVinci does a very good job of color grading with the Mask tool. The function works much faster and more accurately than similar programs. 

Minus - big and only

You can quickly master DaVinci if you have worked with other non-linear video editors. 

But the interface is a little confusing, especially for beginners, and that can be a problem when it comes to this kind of software that offers a lot of features. 

Some areas of Resolve often leave inexperienced users in a quandary. For example, the "Fusion" tab can hang like an unknown "black hole" over the soul of novice editors for quite a long time. 

While the program's capabilities allow you to quickly edit your workspace, I would say that with little experience, Resolve is not your best friend. 

So should you start working with DaVinci Resolve?

DaVinci will definitely suit you if the most important thing for you is not to endow your computer with viruses, but also not to be left without money in your wallet. This is a comprehensive software and here you will find everything you need to get the job done.

The program solves the problem of poorly colored frames, and also fully satisfies requests for more stylized videos. Therefore, pay attention to the color correction section.

Perhaps DaVinci is not entirely suitable for beginners - the interface can confuse and scare you.

If you're serious about it, there are plenty of resources online, including free tutorial videos - just be prepared to spend some time learning the tools.