Using EVO as a DaVinci Resolve project server

EVO shared storage systems running EVO OS v.6.1 or later are capable of hosting a Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve database. By following the steps below you can use your EVO shared storage system also as a DaVinci Resolve project server.

A plug-in is required to install the hosting feature to your EVO. If you would like to use your EVO to centrally host your Resolve database, and you cannot find this plug-in on your EVO, contact our support team for assistance and reference this KB article.

Requirements

• EVO must be running a proper OS version.
• DaVinci Resolve plugin from SNS Support.
• DaVinci Resolve 15 Studio or later.
• SNS Support may be required to enable EVO ‘internal shares’ mode.
• EVO and all DaVinci Resolve workstations in the collaborative workflow must be in the same subnet.
• The DaVinci Resolve database, hosted on EVO, should be managed, backed up, and restored using the tools embedded in Resolve Studio.
• The managing workstation will need PostgreSQL installed to manage the database. This should be included with the Resolve installer.

EVO preparations

NOTE: Any uninstall/reinstall/update to the plugin will erase the shared database. Always ensure a backup is available before performing maintenance.

EVO Version 7:

1. Create a new share to store the DaVinci database by navigating to Shares and clicking the plus symbol to add a new share. Give it a name (such as ResolveDB), and select Advanced settings to choose "Reserved" for the protocol before creating the share.
2. Select Plug-ins from the menu, or navigate to OS DATA and find the Installed plug-ins card.
3. Click the three dots to select Install plug-in and follow the link to upload it.
4. Drag & drop the plugin file or click CHOOSE FILE to locate and upload it to EVO from your workstation.
5. Once uploaded, ensure the dropdown menu shows the correct plugin and click NEXT.
6. Select the Reserved share created in step 1, and click NEXT, then read and accept the license agreement to install the plugin.

EVO Version 6:

1. Enable EVO Upg_Inbox and mount it from your computer.
2. Copy the plugin files to EVO Upg_Inbox.
3. Enable EVO internal shares, if necessary (not default on EVO 6.1, may require SNS Support)
4. On EVO NAS & Project Sharing page, create a *Reserved* share (advanced > Reserved) for the DaVinci database (example name: bmd_db). It is not necessary to provide access to this share for any EVO users.
5. On System > System Upgrade > Install EVO Plugins > Available Plugins > DaVinci plugin details, choose the Reserved share.
6. Install the plugin.

Create the database in DaVinci Resolve

1. Launch Resolve Studio.
2. Click the sidebar icon to open the Databases window.
3. Click New Database at the bottom of the column, then the Create tab.
4. Set Type to PostgreSQL.
5. In the Name field, enter a name for a new DaVinci database (all lower case, no dashes).
   Make a note of this name, you’ll need to enter it manually when connecting other workstations.
6. Enter the EVO IP address.
7. Use the default user name & password.
8. Click Create.

Connect to the Resolve db

1. Launch Resolve studio.
2. Click the sidebar icon to open the Databases window.
3. Click New Database at the bottom of the column.
4. At the Connect tab, choose Type: PostgreSQL.
5. In the Name field, enter the name of the DaVinci database from the previous steps.
6. Enter the EVO IP address.
7. Use the default user name & password.
8. Click the Add button.
9. Click New Project to create a project in the database, name the project, then click Create.
10. Under the DaVinci Resolve File menu, choose Enable Collaboration.