Installing DaVinci Resolve on Omarchy OS:

Installing DaVinci Resolve on Omarchy OS: A Complete Guide for Creators

Introduction

DaVinci Resolve has become the gold standard for professional video editing, color grading, and finishing — trusted by everyone from YouTubers to Hollywood studios. But if you’re exploring Linux, you’ve probably already discovered that installing Resolve isn’t always straightforward. Distros vary in compatibility, drivers can be finicky, and package managers don’t always have what you need.

You can buy me a coffee to help with channel https://buymeacoffee.com/gnugent

Subscribe for more reviews and videos https://www.youtube.com/@28allday?sub_confirmation=1 or

become a member https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1nagfUlQ4_ZmOVkGhWcw1g/join

DOOM SCROLL FOR THE SCRIPT LINK

That’s where this guide comes in. In this article, I’ll show you how to install DaVinci Resolve on Omarchy OS, the new Arch-based Linux distribution that’s built around Hyprland, a tiling, keyboard-driven window manager. It’s a fresh take on Linux desktops, and with my custom script, you can get Resolve running in minutes instead of hours.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, content creator, or simply curious about Linux-based creative workflows, this post will walk you through everything — from setup to export.

------------------------------------------------------------

What Makes Omarchy OS Different?

Omarchy OS isn’t just another Arch spin. Unlike many distributions that mimic Windows or macOS for familiarity, Omarchy embraces a completely different philosophy. It’s built on Hyprland, a modern Wayland tiling window manager that organizes your workspace around efficiency and keyboard shortcuts.

- Keyboard-driven: Forget dragging and dropping with the trackpad. Omarchy is designed for speed with keybindings for nearly everything. For example, Super + Space brings up the app menu instantly.

- Tiling windows: Instead of floating windows that clutter your screen, Hyprland keeps your workspace structured. This makes multitasking with Resolve, OBS, browsers, and terminal sessions seamless.

- Developer-friendly foundation: Omarchy was initially crafted with coders in mind, but the built-in tools also make it an unexpectedly powerful creative workstation. Out of the box, you get Kdenlive, LibreOffice, and OBS Studio. Add Resolve, and suddenly it’s ready for professional post-production work.

As I noted in the original walkthrough, Omarchy is the first Linux distro I’ve tried that feels truly new — not a clone of something else, but a rethinking of what a desktop can be.

------------------------------------------------------------

Why Run DaVinci Resolve on Omarchy?

If Omarchy already ships with Kdenlive, why bother with Resolve? The answer lies in the scope of your creative work.

- Kdenlive is a fantastic editor for lightweight or mid-range projects, but DaVinci Resolve offers world-class tools for color grading, fusion compositing, Fairlight audio, and delivery.

- The free version of Resolve on Linux includes ProRes support, AV1 export, and professional-level grading features.

- The Studio version ($299 one-time purchase) unlocks advanced tools like noise reduction, HDR grading, stereoscopic workflows, and more.

By combining Omarchy’s streamlined desktop with Resolve’s Hollywood-grade engine, you get a Linux workstation that’s both lightweight and incredibly powerful.

------------------------------------------------------------

Challenges of Installing Resolve on Arch-Based Systems

Here’s the problem: Blackmagic doesn’t officially package Resolve for Arch. The official Linux installer is aimed at CentOS/RHEL-style systems, and while it technically works on others, dependencies can be painful.

Omarchy inherits these challenges:

1. AUR dependency conflicts: Resolve requires a lot of libraries that don’t align neatly with Arch’s rolling packages.

2. Wayland/Hyprland quirks: Drag-and-drop doesn’t behave consistently under Hyprland, making traditional installer workflows frustrating.

3. GPU driver requirements: Resolve is GPU-intensive. At the moment, my script only supports NVIDIA GPUs, since NVIDIA’s proprietary drivers are far better supported for Resolve under Linux.

Without a script, installing Resolve can take hours of trial, error, and broken installs. That’s why I wrote one.

------------------------------------------------------------

The Custom Installation Script

My script is designed to simplify everything. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Download the script into your Downloads folder.

2. Make it executable:

chmod +x r.sh

3. Run it with sudo:

sudo ./r.sh

4. The script handles:

- Required NVIDIA drivers.

- Library dependencies.

- Setting up Resolve in your applications menu.

After about 10 minutes, you’ll see DaVinci Resolve listed alongside your other apps in Omarchy’s launcher (Super + Space → Apps → Resolve).

------------------------------------------------------------

Fixing UI Scaling Issues

One of the quirks of running Resolve on a 4K display under Omarchy is tiny UI text. The fix is simple:

1. Open Resolve.

2. Go to Preferences → User → UI Scaling.

3. Set scaling to 150%.

This makes Resolve much more usable on high-DPI monitors.

------------------------------------------------------------

Demo: Resolve in Action on Omarchy

To test the install, I loaded in some iPhone ProRes RAW footage (captured via the Blackmagic Camera app). Even on Omarchy, Resolve handled the footage smoothly, letting me grade, edit, and deliver without crashes.

A few things I noticed:

- Tiling workflow synergy: Resolve fits beautifully into Hyprland’s structured workspace model. No floating windows — just clean, logical layouts.

- Transparency quirks: Some window borders and backgrounds appear semi-transparent. For me, that was a cool aesthetic touch, though some purists may find it distracting.

- Export to AV1: As I demonstrated, YouTube re-encodes everything into AV1 anyway. So skip H.264/H.265 — just deliver in AV1 from the start.

------------------------------------------------------------

AV1 vs H.264/H.265 for YouTube

If you’re still exporting in H.264 or H.265 for YouTube, here’s why you should switch to AV1:

- Future-proof: YouTube, Netflix, and Google are already standardizing on AV1.

- Better compression: Higher quality at lower bitrates.

- Resolve supports it (free edition): You don’t even need Studio to get AV1 export on Linux.

In short, AV1 is the present and the future.

------------------------------------------------------------

Omarchy as a Creative Workstation

Before Resolve, Omarchy already shipped with creative tools:

- Kdenlive for editing.

- OBS Studio for streaming.

- Steam for gaming downtime.

- Graphics utilities for art and design.

Adding Resolve pushes Omarchy into professional workstation territory. You can:

- Edit in Kdenlive for lightweight projects.

- Switch to Resolve for high-end color or film work.

- Use OBS to live-stream your workflow, tutorials, or gaming sessions.

This hybrid makes Omarchy one of the most surprisingly creator-friendly distros out there.

------------------------------------------------------------

Who Should Try This?

This setup is perfect for:

- Linux creators wanting a pro-grade editing suite.

- YouTubers looking to leverage AV1 for streaming.

- Arch fans curious about creative workflows.

- NVIDIA GPU owners needing smooth acceleration on Linux.

If you’re on AMD, hang tight. Once I swap in my RX 6900 XT, I’ll attempt to add AMD support to the script. Historically, AMD + Resolve has been trickier, but it’s something I plan to explore.

------------------------------------------------------------

Step-By-Step Quick Reference

Here’s a condensed version you can follow:

download script from here ( please use at your own risk.....if you decided never to open premier again because DVR is the GOATS that a good thing but if this scripts kills your ....puter....its not on me)

DOWNLOAD

1. Download the script.

2. Place it in ~/Downloads.

3. Make it executable: chmod +x r.sh

4. Run it with sudo ./r.sh

5. Launch Resolve (Super + Space → Apps → Resolve).

6. Adjust UI scaling if needed.

7. Import footage, edit, and deliver in AV1.

That’s it — you’ve got Resolve running on Omarchy.

------------------------------------------------------------

My Impressions After a Week

After using Resolve on Omarchy for a week, here’s what stood out:

- Speed: The tiling workflow feels faster than traditional desktops once you memorize shortcuts.

- Stability: Resolve ran without crashes during test edits and grading.

- Learning curve: Omarchy isn’t beginner-friendly. If you’re used to macOS/Windows, expect an adjustment period.

- OBS + Resolve synergy: Streaming tutorials while editing was seamless.

Would I recommend Omarchy as a daily driver for video editors? Yes — if you’re comfortable with Linux and want something unique.

------------------------------------------------------------

Conclusion

Omarchy OS proves that Linux isn’t just for developers or gamers — it can be a serious creative platform. With a streamlined workflow, built-in creative apps, and my custom script to install DaVinci Resolve, you’ve got everything you need for professional video work.

If you’re an NVIDIA user looking for a fast, modern, and unconventional Linux environment, give Omarchy a try. Pair it with Resolve, and you’ve got a workstation that’s both efficient and cutting-edge.

------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to the Series

This post is part of my Linux Out of the Box series, where I test creative and gaming workflows across Linux distros. From Bazzite for gaming to Rocky Linux for workstations, I’m exploring whether Linux can truly work “out of the box.”

Subscribe on YouTube to follow along — and let me know in the comments what distro you’d like me to test next.