Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor

DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor, a new keyboard for DaVinci Resolve's cut page that allows a new and dramatically faster editing solution that’s a combination of integrated hardware and software. This means the editor can work much faster because, unlike a mouse, the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor has a control for each edit function and can perform multiple tasks at the same time.

Traditional edit software uses thousands of clips to organize their media, so customers need to constantly click and drag clips to edit. That’s too slow for work such as TVCs, news, promos and training videos. However old tape based linear editing had the advantage of all media being played from a videotape, so customers could simply fast forward and rewind to see all their shots. Now the cut page has a modern version of the videotape and it’s called the "source tape". Simply push the source button and use the search dial to scroll through all their media. Plus, the current clip is highlighted live in the bin. After the edit the viewer will stay in the source tape so customers can move to the next shot faster.

Entering in and out points is the most used function in editing, so the speed editor keyboard includes large in and out point buttons that customers can easily locate by feel. That’s perfect for two handed editing where users are using their right hand for transport control and their left hand is placing in and out points and performing edits. Customers can simply scroll along with the search dial and place in and out points anywhere customers want. Once the in and out points are set, just reach their fingers up to the edit function buttons to perform the edit. The in and out points can also be used to focus the source tape. Then customers can change the source tape back to the whole bin by pressing the escape key.

Editing with a keyboard is different to editing with a mouse, so the cut page editing functions have been upgraded to take advantage of the speed of a keyboard. The edit functions are intelligent and use the "smart indicator" in the timeline to work out where to insert, so most of the time customers don't need to place in or out points in the timeline to do an edit. They are located just above the in and out keys, so are easy to locate by feel. Plus each time customers edit, the cut page won't waste time switching over to the timeline, allowing customers to stay in the source tape and visually browse, placing clips continuously. That's much faster as customers can just keep throwing clips into the timeline.

The DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor eliminates the large QWERTY keyboard for a smaller more portable design, so the function button area includes only the controls customers need for editing. Some of the enhanced function keys on the DaVinci Resolve Speed Editor are not even available on the full sized editor keyboard. Plus, some keys have an alternative function where customers can press and hold or double press to get a second function using the same key. That means customers need less keys for a more portable design, but it still retains a lot of editing power. The keys are in a separate group so customers can find the key customers need by feel and operate faster than a regular keyboard.

The sync bin is a new style of multi-cam and it allows customers to find shots that are sync'd to the current shot in the timeline. That lets customers find cutaways using a familiar multiview interface. Then use the camera keys to select an alternative shot, and source overwrite to edit it into the timeline.

The audio level key lets customers quickly set audio levels of clips by holding the key and adjusting the level using the search dial. That's a fast way to set audio levels while editing. Double pressing the key lets customers add a marker, and double pressing and holding allows customers to set the marker colour.

The full screen button is highlighted red so customers can find it quickly and switch to a full screen view of their viewer. That’s great for presenting their edit to clients. Plus if customers double press the full view button, it will go into full screen view and play from just before their most recent edit.