DaVinci Resolve 20.2.3 is Here

The Blackmagic Design team has just rolled out a new update for DaVinci Resolve, bringing us to version 20.2.3. While it might seem like a minor point release, this update packs a significant performance punch for certain users, along with a host of valuable workflow enhancements and stability fixes.

But before you rush to download, there’s a crucial detail about project compatibility you need to know. Let’s dive in.

Before You Update: A Critical Note on Project Libraries

This is the most important part of this update, so please read carefully.

Blackmagic Design has made a concerted effort to maintain compatibility between the new 20.2.3 and the older DaVinci Resolve 19.1.3 at the project library level. This means you can still open your main project library with either version of Resolve.

However, there’s a catch: any individual project that you create or open in version 20.2.3 will be permanently upgraded and can no longer be opened in 19.1.3.

What does this mean for you?
If you need to switch back to 19.1.3 for any reason, you won’t be able to access projects you’ve worked on in the new version.

My Strongest Recommendation: Before updating, perform a full backup of your project library AND individual backups of any critical projects. This is your safety net. Don’t skip this step!

What’s New? The Headline Features in 20.2.3

Now, onto the good stuff. This update brings some fantastic improvements.

A Massive Speed Boost for Intel Users

If you’re running DaVinci Resolve Studio on a modern Windows machine with an Intel GPU (either integrated or discrete), this update is for you. Thanks to improved OpenVINO support, you can expect a massive performance increase in key AI-powered tools:

Up to 4x faster Magic Mask
Up to 4x faster Depth Map
Up to 4x faster Super Scale

This means less waiting and more creating. Rotoscoping, creating 3D-like depth effects, and upscaling footage will be significantly faster and more interactive. To take advantage of this, make sure your Intel driver is at least version 32.0.101.8247.

Key Workflow and Quality-of-Life Enhancements

This update is filled with small but mighty changes that will smooth out your daily workflow:

Customizable Keyframe Toggle: You can now assign a custom keyboard shortcut to show or hide the timeline keyframe tray. This is a fantastic time-saver for animators and anyone doing heavy keyframing work.
Spline Window Tracking Fixed: A frustrating bug has been squashed! Pasting tracking data to a spline-based Power Window will no longer reset the spline’s shape. Colorists, rejoice!
Persistent Workflow Plugins: Custom workflow integration plugins will now remain active even after restarting Resolve, saving you setup time.
New Codec Support: Resolve now supports decoding for WEBM and MKV clips using the VP8 video codec, expanding compatibility for web-based and screen-recorded media.

Important Fixes and Stability Improvements

A great update isn’t just about new features; it’s also about making the existing ones work better. Version 20.2.3 addresses a number of important issues:

Fairlight: An issue with blading all clips under the playhead has been fixed.
Audio: A potential audio playback issue when using a Mac trackpad has been addressed.
Decoding: Fixes have been implemented for issues with decoding certain MP4 and MKV FFV1 files.
Color & VFX:
- Object masks now correctly update when you make changes to edit or input sizing.
- DCTL issues with some ACES 2.0 EOTFs have been resolved.
- Color Scopes can now be fully reset to their default settings via the three-dot option menu.
Immersive Projects: For those working in immersive video (like for Apple Vision Pro), the edge blend has been improved to more closely align the Resolve preview with the final visionOS render. Note: This will change the look of existing immersive projects, so be sure to review them after updating.

Should You Update?

If you are a Windows user with a compatible Intel GPU, the performance gains for AI tools alone make this a must-have update. For everyone else, the bug fixes, new codec support, and workflow tweaks offer a solid increase in stability and convenience.

Just remember the golden rule: BACK UP YOUR DATABASES AND PROJECTS before you install.

You can download DaVinci Resolve 20.2.3 now from the Blackmagic Design support page.

Happy editing