DaVinci Resolve terms

Timeline Resolution

The resolution settings for the timeline, which can be independent of the project’s output resolution.

What is timeline resolution in DaVinci Resolve?

Timeline resolution in DaVinci Resolve refers to the resolution settings of the timeline you are working on. It is the frame size that your video will be exported in. This setting is crucial as it determines the quality and aspect ratio of your final video output. For instance, if you are working on a project that is intended for YouTube, you might set your timeline resolution to 1920x1080 pixels, which is the standard resolution for high-definition video.

The timeline resolution can be adjusted in the project settings of DaVinci Resolve. It's important to note that changing the timeline resolution can affect the appearance of your clips on the timeline. For example, if you change the resolution to a smaller size, your clips may appear zoomed in. Therefore, it's generally recommended to set your timeline resolution at the beginning of your project and keep it consistent throughout.

How to adjust timeline resolution in DaVinci Resolve?

To adjust the timeline resolution in DaVinci Resolve, you first need to open the project settings. You can do this by clicking on the gear icon located at the bottom right corner of the interface. Once the project settings window is open, navigate to the "Master Settings" tab.

Under the "Master Settings" tab, you will find the "Timeline resolution" section. Here, you can adjust the resolution to your desired settings. You can either choose from the preset options or manually input your desired resolution. After you've made your changes, click "Save" to apply them. Please note that changing the timeline resolution can affect the quality of your project, so it's important to choose a resolution that is appropriate for your final output.

Why is my timeline resolution not changing in DaVinci Resolve?

The timeline resolution in DaVinci Resolve may not be changing due to a few reasons. One common reason is that the settings for the timeline resolution are locked. This usually happens when there are already clips in the timeline. DaVinci Resolve locks the timeline resolution to prevent any potential issues or inconsistencies that could occur if the resolution was changed after clips were added.

Another possible reason could be that the project settings are overriding the timeline settings. In DaVinci Resolve, the project settings dictate the overall resolution of the project, and this can sometimes override the individual timeline settings. To change this, you would need to go into the project settings and adjust the resolution there. If these steps don't work, it could be a software glitch, and you might need to update or reinstall DaVinci Resolve.

What does timeline resolution do in DaVinci Resolve?

Timeline resolution in DaVinci Resolve refers to the resolution at which your project will be edited and exported. It is essentially the size of the canvas you are working on. This setting determines the quality and detail of your final output. For instance, if you set your timeline resolution to 1080p, your final video will be exported in 1080p quality.

It's important to note that the timeline resolution should ideally match the resolution of your source footage for the best results. However, DaVinci Resolve allows you to work with multiple resolutions in the same project. This means you can import footage of different resolutions and the software will automatically conform it to the timeline resolution. This feature is particularly useful when working with mixed media projects.

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