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Blackmagic’s New eGPU Is A Hurdle Leaped For Creatives (commentary)

Brian Hallett
Blackmagic's New eGPU Is A Hurdle Leaped For Creatives (commentary) 1

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Yes, the news about Blackmagic Design’s new eGPU, a high-performance graphics processor, has already been posted on PVC by Jose Antunes. I want to talk about how the new eGPU is the missing link in the DaVinci Resolve 15 to mainstream editor chain. For many freelancers, the cost of a new faster GPU computer can be a hurdle. Frankly, I care more about how the eGPU can better a creative’s workflow than Gaming Graphics.

I think we might see more of a desktop parked eGPU than a traveling one.

What is the Blackmagic eGPU? It is a high-performance graphics processor for procreative software such as DaVinci Resolve, 3D games, and VR. Blackmagic Designed this hardware in collaboration with Apple, the Blackmagic eGPU features a built-in Radeon Pro 580, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI 2.0, 85W of charging power and four USB 3.1 connections. It comes in an integrated design that brings high-end desktop-class graphics processing to MacBook Pro for professional video workflows, 3D games, and immersive VR. And, the Blackmagic eGPU is the first to support Thunderbolt 3 displays.

This eGPU by Blackmagic Design is meant to be mobile. To at least have a computer fast enough to color grade and edit 4K raw footage and be able to take it with you on set for DIT work seems like a good way to extend the life of a MacBook Pro. However, I believe if you are a professional DIT you have the kind of hardware necessary to call oneself a professional DIT. To me, the Blackmagic eGPU is for those small production companies and sole proprietors looking to add raw video workflow and more Ks to their video edits.

One such production company comes to mind, Contrast Visuals & Consulting, which is run by a good friend of mine. This is a small group of creatives creating great work and are looking to boost their deliverables. They have dipped their toes into editing and color correction within DaVinci Resolve 15 and they like what they see, but their current GPU on their editors means slower renders with that workflow. They’re looking to upgrade to the Sony VENICE in the near future and that means they may have to upgrade their editors too. As you can see the costs of staying new, fresh, and relevant camera-wise can be compounding. The Blackmagic eGPU might be one of those pieces of hardware putting them over the edge. I also imagine the Blackmagic eGPU, if they do buy it, is going to be parked on their desks instead of in a Pelican Case traveling around the world with them.

This piece of hardware, to me, is more about getting DaVinci Resolve 15 into more hands. It is an inexpensive piece of hardware allowing more users to edit in DaVinci Resolve 15 and it makes absolute sense to me. Think about how much we are spending on Adobe or Avid subscriptions. Now, with Adobe we tend to get a bit more of software bang for our buck, but for Avid editors the free version of DaVinci Resolve 15, or even the $299 version, and one $699 Blackmagic eGPU is more expensive than one year of Avid or Adobe subscriptions but after that first year the cost savings turns to Blackmagic. I also believe an editor might get more out of their eGPU boosted DaVinci Resolve 15 than Avid Media Composer and I love Avid, but I also love Blackmagic. Blackmagic Design has taken the initiative to press their software advantages with Fusion and raw workflows and I see many creatives looking to try DaVinci Resolve 15.

The Blackmagic eGPU is available now for only US$699 exclusively on Apple.com and in select Apple Retail stores worldwide.

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