Working with VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf media in DaVinci Resolve


This post helps those who are having problems editing Panasonic VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf media in DaVinci Resolve. If you are looking for a smooth workflow between VariCam 35 and DaVinci Resolve, you may wish to read it. It displays a workaround to transcode VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf content to DNxHD/ProRes .mov for use in DaVinci Resolve fluently.
problems editing Panasonic VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf media in DaVinci Resolve
Panasonic’s 4K VariCam Cinema Camera is a serious competitor to the Sony F55 and the Arri Alexa. The VariCam 35 boasts an all-new super 35mm MOS image sensor and uses Panasonic’s AVC-ULTRA codecs for internal 4K, UHD, 2K, and HD recording. The camera is also capable of external 4K raw recording, provides 14 stops of dynamic range, and features a standard PL lens mount.

If for whatever reason you have unpleasant experience editing VariCam 35 footage in DaVinci Resolve, we would recommend converting VariCam 35 media to an intermediate format that is best suitable for editing in DaVinci Resolve prior, such as DNxHD .MOV or ProRes .MOV, which DaVinci Resolve will recognize and handle well. This requires third party software like HD Video Converter. Read on to learn a quick guide on how to encode VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf media to DNxHD/ProRes .mov for use in Resolve smoothly.

Software requirement
HD Video Converter
workflow between VariCam 35 and DaVinci Resolvetranscode VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf content to DNxHD/ProRes .mov

[Guide] How to encode VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf movies for DaVinci Resolve editing?

Download and install HD Video Converter, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Run HD Video Converter as a professional VariCam 35 to DaVinci Resolve Converter. When its main interface comes up, click ‘Add File’ to load source video to it.
VariCam 35 to DaVinci Resolve Converter

Step 2: Select output format for DaVinci Resolve
1) Convert VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf media to ProRes for Resolve
From ‘Profile’ list, move to ‘Final Cut Pro’ catalogue, and select ‘Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)’ as target format.
convert VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf media to ProRes for Resolve
Note that the ProRes output is only valid in the Mac version of HD Video Converter.

2) Transcode VariCam 35 media to DNxHD for DaVinci Resolve
From ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
transcode VariCam 35 media to DNxHD 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: Adjust video and audio settings (for advanced users)
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: Click ‘Convert’ to start VariCam 35 4K .mov/P2 .mxf files to ProRes/DNxHD conversion.

Step 5: Click ‘Open Folder’ to get generated ProRes/DNxHD QuickTime files for use in DaVinci Resolve with optimum performance.

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