How to Change the Resolution in DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is a top-notch video editing software used by both pros and beginners. It has many features, one of which is the ability to change the resolution of your project. This is important because sometimes you’ll have a video that doesn’t quite fill up the entire space on the screen. As a result you’ll find yourself having awkward black bars on either the top, and/or sides of the video. To fix this we’ll need to adjust the video resolution. This article will show you two, slightly different, yet effective methods to do that.

1. Start by importing your video into DaVinci Resolve by dragging it into the media pool. To do this, right click on the media area, and choose ‘Import Media…” option, or press ‘Ctrl+I‘ keys on your keyboard.

2. In the subsequent ‘Import Media‘ window, choose the video you want to import and click ‘Open‘.

3. Drag your video to the timeline.

1. Import your video file that doesn’t fit within the aspect ratio of the timeline, resulting in black bars on either side. See above.

2. Open the Inspector in the upper right corner. This is where you can see detailed information about your video, including the current resolution.

3. Click on ‘File‘. Here, you can see your current video resolution.

4. Select your video on the timeline, then go to ‘File‘ → ‘Project Settings‘.

5. Under Master Settings, you will see an option for Timeline resolution. This is where you can change the resolution of your project. You can choose from a list of preset resolutions or enter a custom resolution.

6. You can also set your video’s preview window resolution for the project. This can be useful if you’re working on a device with limited processing power and want to reduce the resolution for smoother playback during editing.

7. Click ‘Save‘ to apply the changes.

1. Import your video file that doesn’t fit within the aspect ratio of the timeline, resulting in black bars on either side. See above.

2. Go to the bottom right hand corner and click on ‘Project Settings‘.

3. Under Master Settings, you will see an option for Timeline resolution. Here, you can input a custom resolution that fits your video file. 

4. Input the height and width of your video file. You can use the drop down menu as shown above, or put a custom setting in, as shown below. For example, if your video file is 2880 by 1800, input 2880 in the width field and 1800 in the height field.

5. Click Save to apply the changes. The black bars on either side of your video should now be gone.

• Always make sure to check the resolution requirements of your final output before starting your project. This will help you avoid having to change the resolution later on.
• Keep in mind that changing the resolution can affect the quality of your video. If you’re reducing the resolution, your video might lose some detail. If you’re increasing the resolution, your video might appear pixelated.
• If you’re working on a device with limited processing power, consider reducing the preview window resolution. This can help improve the performance of DaVinci Resolve during editing.

As you start your video editing journey with DaVinci Resolve, consider enhancing your projects with professional-grade digital content from Envato Elements. With a subscription to Envato Elements, you gain access to a vast library of high-quality assets, including stock footage, music, graphics, and more.

Envato Elements offers unlimited downloads. This lets you experiment with different assets and find the perfect fit for your project. Whether you’re creating a short film, a YouTube video, or a promotional clip, Envato Elements has the resources you need to take your project to the next level.

Changing the resolution in DaVinci Resolve is a straightforward process. With these two methods, you can easily adapt your project to different formats or improve the performance of DaVinci Resolve on devices with limited processing power. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, start exploring the features and tools DaVinci Resolve has to offer and enhance your video editing skills. Happy editing!