How to make Proxies for Video Editing in DaVinci Resolve.

This is a simple and quick, step by step procedure you can follow to make proxies for video editing in DaVinci Resolve.

Import Clips in media Pool.

It is always a good idea to look at the FPS, Aspect Ratio, and Resolution of all the clips imported. If they vary, you need to make a decision whether to keep them as they are or modify them when making the proxies. It is a case-by-case situation.

Create a timeline.

DaVinci has an option called "Mismatched Resolution" for times when your clips have varied resolution. You Can see this option, while creating a new timeline. You have to uncheck "Use Project Settings" at the bottom of the create timeline tab. Once you uncheck it, you will see more otions in the tab. Go to 'Format' > 'Mismatched Resolution'. Choose the one fits your preference.

Add all the clips in the timeline.

Check The timeline FPS, Aspect Ratio and Resolution before adding the clips. Make sure you want all your proxies at this setting.

Apply LUT

Go to Settings (Right Down corner) > Colour Management > Output lookup Table : Choose from the list of available LUTS.

Burn Data on clips (info)

Go to Workspace > Data Burn-in. A tab will appear. It will have 2 options at top : Project and Clip. Selecting clip would only apply it to that specific clip, so select 'PROJECT' button. There will be a list of items, that can be burned on the frame. These 3 are usually added:

• Source Timecode and Frame num. - This is essential. While conforming and even editing, this is referred the most.

• Source Clip Name - Make sure you have selected the clip name and not file name.

• Custom Text - This is optional. You can add the name of the film, or date or shooting, etc

You can change the position, font and opacity of these texts from the options given beside. It is always smarter to put the burn-in data a bit high up, so that we don't lose the data after adding a gate in edit software, or scaling the shot.

Output Blanking (Adding a gate)

Go to Timeline > Output Blanking - Select the desired aspect ratio.

This is optional, depends on the shooting aspect ratio and the final aspect ratio one desires. Also some editor might prefer to get the proxies without a gate and put the gate themselves in the edit software. It allows them more flexibility to scale and adjust the frame.

Deliver

For proxies, you must select:

• Individual clip : Make sure you have not selected 'Single clip' by mistake. This option would export the entire timeline as one clip (Necessary when exporting an edit).

• Press the File Button and check "Source Name" as the names of the proxy files and source files should be exactly same. Don't add any name on your own.

• Press the video button, and select format and codec as well as check the resolution and quality. Apple PRORES is preferable over H.264

• Press the Audio Button and select a codec for it

• Then Add to Render Queue

• Give a destination path, if you haven't already.

• Once its added to the Queue, Press Render all.

And your proxies are done. Simple! Now a days -unless one is working on an extensive project involving huge amount of Raw rushes or in different platforms - proxies can be simply made in Permier Pro or Da Vinci Resolve, without so much fanfare.

Simpler way to make proxy as long as you are working on the same platform (DaVinci Resolve in this case).

1. Select all the clips in the Bin.

2. Right click > Generate Proxy media/optimized media : On clicking it would start to generate the low-res files.

However if you want to adjust the location where these files are saved, on modify the codec and quality of these files, you have to go to: Project Settings > Master Settings > Optimized media and Render cache. There you can modify the location and codec of these files.

Before ending, let's discuss the difference between Proxy media and optimized media.

Optimized Media	Proxy Media
Optimized media files are typically created at a reduced resolution compared to the original media but retain relatively high image quality.	Proxy media files are often created at significantly reduced resolutions compared to the original media, and they may exhibit lower image quality due to increased compression.
Optimized media is used for smoother playback and responsiveness in the editing and grading process, especially when working with high-resolution or codec-intensive footage.	Proxy media is used as a stand-in for the original media during editing and grading to conserve system resources and facilitate smoother collaboration, especially in remote or distributed workflows.
When rendering your project, DaVinci Resolve automatically switches back to using the original high-resolution media for final output.	You may need to manually disable proxy media from the playback menu if you want to ensure that the software uses the original high-resolution media files for playback and rendering.

Premier pro also allows this sort of optimization. We will talk about it in another blog.