Compared
DaVinci Resolve's AI vs OttoEdit
Resolve's AI tools each do one job well: cut silences, find a clip, build a timeline from a script, mix the sound. Since 21.1, a chatbot can also run steps for you. OttoEdit does something different. It watches your footage and makes the whole edit, then takes your notes. It works inside the same Resolve, so you can use both.
The AI already in Resolve
- IntelliScript (Resolve 20): builds a timeline from a script. Resolve 21 added Final Draft and plain-text scripts.
- IntelliCut (Resolve 20): removes silences and splits dialogue by speaker.
- AI Audio Assistant (Resolve 20): makes a finished mix from your timeline.
- AI Animated Subtitles and Multicam SmartSwitch (Resolve 20).
- IntelliSearch (Resolve 21): finds clips by the people, things and words in them.
- AI assistants (Resolve 21.1): Claude or ChatGPT run steps in Resolve after you connect them under File > Setup AI Assistants.
Many of these need Resolve Studio, the paid version.
What OttoEdit adds
- It makes the whole edit. Tell it what you're making, like "a reel of my bike clips to this song", and it plans the cut, shows you, then lays it.
- It watches and listens. Every clip with its sound, and every layer of your song: voice, drums, bass and melody.
- Talking heads: keeps the clean take of each line and drops the false starts.
- Music videos: cuts on the beat, or on your own markers.
- The finish: word-by-word captions, speed ramps, transitions, colour and sound effects. For anything that's taste, it shows you options drawn on your own footage and waits for your tap.
- Safe: its edit lives on its own timeline, never on top of yours, and "undo" takes you back.
- Help when Resolve acts up: ask why there's no sound in your export and it tells you where to look.
What Resolve does that Otto doesn't
Resolve runs on Mac and Linux, and its free version does a lot. Otto needs Resolve Studio on Windows. Resolve's own tools also cover multicam switching and a full audio mix, which Otto doesn't do. If you want exact commands followed one by one, Resolve's AI connection is a solid option. If you want an editor who has watched your footage and has opinions, that's Otto.
Questions
Is OttoEdit a replacement for DaVinci Resolve?
No. Otto works inside Resolve Studio, in your open project. Resolve does the editing. Otto decides what to do and does it for you.
Can I use Resolve's AI tools and OttoEdit together?
Yes. They live in the same project. Use IntelliSearch to find a clip, then ask Otto to cut with it.
What does OttoEdit cost?
It's free right now, with the AI included. No card. You need DaVinci Resolve Studio on Windows.
Which Resolve version does OttoEdit need?
Resolve Studio 20 or newer. We've used Otto on versions 20 and 21.
Try it on your own footage. It's free right now.
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