With their advanced tools, media editing software streamlines tasks for creators. Whether repositioning an audio track or merging clips into an ideal fit, they simplify the process of audio-video content creation. In this article, we have compared two such potential software – DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro based on several factors such as system requirements, performance, color grading, user interface, and audio.
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro: Comparison
DaVinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere Pro software are used to edit audio and other media files. These are usually used to submit a complete project of media files to various sharing platforms.
1. DaVinci Resolve
DaVinci Systems released DaVinci Resolve software in 2004 and was acquired by Blackmagic Design in 2009. It includes various features and tools to aid in managing the media files and making them a single unit.
2. Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe released Premiere Pro as a successor version of Adobe Premier launched in 1991. With the integration of Adobe apps, this software became a component of the Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) bundle. This includes numerous options to edit and create projects with media files.
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro System Requirements
DaVinci Resolve is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux while Adobe Premiere Pro is compatible with Windows and macOS operating systems. Let us look at the minimum system requirements for both DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro.
Minimum System Requirements for DaVinci Resolve 18:
- Operating System: Windows 10, macOS 10.14.6 Mojave, or Linux CentOS 7.3
- Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 or Apple silicon M1
- Memory: 16 GB DDR3RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB or higher with OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 11 or Metal support
- VRAM: 4GB (HD); 8GB (4K); 20GB (8K)
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Display: 1920 x 1080 resolution display
Minimum System Requirements for Adobe Premiere Pro
- Operating System: Windows 10, macOS 10.15 Catalina
- Processor: Intel Core 6th Gen or AMD Ryzen 1000 Series or Apple silicon M1
- Memory: 8 GB DDR4RAM
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB or higher with OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 11 or Metal support
- VRAM: 4GB (HD); 8GB (4K); 20GB (8K)
- Storage: 512 GB SSD or higher
- Display: 1920 x 1080 resolution display
For more details, you can refer to our guide on What are Adobe Premiere Pro System Requirements?
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro User Interface
The user interface of both software are similar and provide equal emphasis on design and usability.
DaVinci Resolve UI
- Freedom Timeline Editor includes multiple divisions like Cut and Edit, Fusion or motion graphics tool, Color, Fairlight or audio tool, and Deliver.
- Its streamlined UI allows you to change the layout and alter it at each stage of the editing process.
- The layout of the software is designed to run across multiple monitors.
- The Hardware Control Panel of the software allows you to manage parameters smoothly.
- Dedicated section to add and organize media files
Adobe Premiere Pro UI
- Non-Linear Video Editing Timeline uses sequences of an audio track, video, picture, or supported media.
- Allows you to arrange the clips in any order in the workflow, regardless of the placement order.
- You can customize the layout and window size.
- It allows you to save your template in the workspace to be used for future use. You can use the smooth editing workflow to access files and boost productivity.
- The sequence tracks can be modified in a well-adjusted and streamlined timeline based on the preferred workspace layout.
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro Color Grading
Both these software has professional-level tools for precise and intricate color grading for artistic appeal. The similar option in both software is that it allows you to add layers or effects to individual clips or on the entire timeline to allow color correction. However, there are a few differences between them that we will look at here.
DaVinci Resolve Colour Correction and Grading
- provide full manual control of color correction and grading.
- new Auto color balance and matching features are available in the Studio version of the software.
- Deep grading of visuals is possible
Premier Pro Colour Correction and Grading
- Easy and intuitive color controls
- Tools can be accessed in the color editing workspace.
- Color effects or Lumetri Color to fine-tune aspects of the project.
- Highlights the RGB curves and other features like shadow, mid-tone, and highlight wheels.
Also Read: Fix Premiere Pro Timeline Not Working
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro Audio
As a part of the media content on the Project, audio plays a major role. Both software allows you to edit, record and add music using the sound library. Let’s compare them and see who stands out.
DaVinci Resolve Audio
- Uses a Fairlight Digital Audio Workstation
- ADR or Automated Dialogue Replacement tools allow syncing the dialogues with the audio.
- You can also access the Foley Effects sound library to add effects to the project.
- The audio mixing capabilities can be enhanced and controlled using the Fairlight.
Premier Pro Audio
- Links the project to Adobe Audition to improve the audio of the media files of the project. The audio mixing settings sound better when used with Audition.
- You can also fix the dialogue of the project and have control over other parameters of the sound design.
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro Performance
The performance of the output media file is usually dependent on the hardware devices and the quality of the capturing cameras. However, editing the input media files requires efficient software with 4K editing.
With the understanding of the features, we can say that the DaVinci Resolve software has a higher arm in the DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro performance comparison. However, the simple User Interface and support to alter layout make the Premiere Pro software a suitable one for creating the media output in the Project.
DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro for Beginners
The ultimate goal of understanding various features of editing software is to find the ideal software that can be used by users of various genres.
- DaVinci Resolve has a slightly complicated User Interface. It has a steep learning curve and it requires some training to understand the software.
- Premiere Pro has a user-friendly and simple interface. The workflow is continuous and it has more than 1000 free tutorials to apply in the editing of projects.
Also Read: How to Render Preview in Premiere Pro
Comparison of Other Features of DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro
Both software has various features that can be used to create a perfect output of media files. Further comparing DaVinci Resolve vs Premiere Pro, let’s take a look at some more factors other than audio or color grading that create a difference between them.
- Motion Graphics: DaVinci Resolve is integrated with Fusion and allows you to include a new 3D composting engine to add VFX or Video Effects. The motion graphics provided by the Premiere Pro software include After Effects integration. It also allows you to install and use other motion graphics templates from the Adobe stack or create them using Type and Shape tools.
- Integrations: The DaVinci Resolve software integrates the projects with the web-based Frame.io video review platform. This allows you to add comments and collaborate with any editing platform synced to Frame’s online platform. The projects of Premiere Pro software allows you to use any of the compatible Adobe programs, inclusive of After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator. This allows you to add animation or design to the Adobe toolkit.
- Plugins: Both the software house and support third-party plugins for helping in proper operation. The Premiere Pro software has plugins for motion graphics functions and audio effects online and is developed continuously. The DaVinci Resolve software has a library of visual and audio FX with Studio and you can use the OpenFX capability for these plugins.
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After comparing DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro, we can confidently conclude that both software options offer exceptional video editing capabilities. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific requirements and needs. So, take the time to evaluate your priorities and choose the software that best aligns with your goals. Thank you for reading. If you have any more queries or suggestions, let us know in the comments section.