Working with 4K footage in DaVinci Resolve


What is the best workflow for editing 4K footage in DaVinci Resolve? If you are looking for an answer to this question, you may have interest in this post. It demonstrates a workaround to transcode 4K footage for use in DaVinci Resolve smoothly.

4K resolution, also called 4K, refers to a display device or content having horizontal resolution on the order of 4,000 pixels. 4K resolution would give better and wider viewing of a frame, with much more crisp result than 1080p. 4K footage looks amazing but if you don’t know how to work with them your computer may freeze when working with them in NLE systems like DaVinci Resolve.
editing 4K footage in DaVinci Resolve
How can I get Resolve Lite to work with 4K video files directly?
“My company bought right into the hype buying all the latest 4k cameras and now post production has become a lot harder. On my machine I am running Resolve Lite and Adobe Premiere Pro. Resolve Lite seems not to like 4K footage. I really want to come running back home to good old 1080p. How can I get Resolve Lite to work with 4K video files directly? Please suggest a solution!!! Thanks.”

There are ways to handle it, but you have to understand how to convert 4K footage so you can use them in Resolve more easily and smoothly. In the following guide we show you how to transcode 4K files to a “edit” friendly format for use in DaVinci Resolve without bogging down your computer. The process is surprisingly easy and can be done using only HD Video Converter.

You can download a demo version (for both, Mac and PC) to have a try
transcode 4K footage for use in DaVinci Resolveget Resolve Lite to work with 4K video

4K footage and Davinci Resolve workflow – how to convert 4k video to Davinci Resolve editable format?

The steps:
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter as a 4k Converter for DaVinci Resolve. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ to input your source media.
4K footage and Davinci Resolve

Step 2: Choose output format for DaVinci Resolve
To convert 4k video to DNxHD for DaVinci Resolve, you can from ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
convert 4k video to Davinci Resolve editable format

To encode 4k video to ProRes 422 for DaVinci Resolve, you can choose ‘Final Cut Pro’ > ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as target format.
4k Converter for DaVinci Resolve
Important: If you’ve loaded a number of video clips to do batch conversion, please do remember ticking off ‘Apply to All’ option before you start.

Step 3: Custom video and audio settings
If necessary, you can click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profiles Settings’ panel to modify video and audio settings like video encoder, resolution, video bit rate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio encoder, sample rate, audio bit rate, and audio channels. 3D settings are also available.

Step 4: Start 4k video to DNxHD/ProRes MOV Conversion

When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported MOV files for use in DaVinci Resolve with optimum performance.

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