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EddieDaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve · Rendering and delivery

How to export in 4K in DaVinci Resolve

Updated 5 stepsFor DaVinci Resolve

The short answer

Set the timeline resolution to 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD in File > Project Settings > Master Settings, then on the Deliver page set Resolution to 3840 x 2160 and render. The free version of Resolve renders up to Ultra HD at 60 fps; DCI 4K (4096 x 2160) and higher need DaVinci Resolve Studio.

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5 steps

In DaVinci Resolve

  1. 01Set a 4K timeline
  2. 02Check the footage
  3. 03Set the render
  4. 04Raise the bitrate
  5. 05Render

  1. 01

    Set a 4K timeline

    Choose File > Project Settings > Master Settings and set Timeline resolution to 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD. Or set it per timeline in Timeline Settings.

  2. 02

    Check the footage

    Edit with 4K footage. HD clips in a 4K timeline are scaled up and look soft.

  3. 03

    Set the render

    On the Deliver page, choose MP4 and H.264 or H.265, and set Resolution to 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD.

  4. 04

    Raise the bitrate

    Leave Quality on Automatic at Best, or set Restrict to a bitrate suited to 4K.

  5. 05

    Render

    Click Add to Render Queue, then Render All.

Good to know

Before you start

Note 1
If you set a timeline above Ultra HD in the free version, Resolve renders it at UHD or warns you. DCI 4K and frame rates above 60 fps need Studio.
Note 2
Super Scale, which upscales HD footage with the Neural Engine, is in DaVinci Resolve Studio only.

Eddie AI

Do it in Eddie

Eddie renders 4K MP4s at the same cost as 1080p.

Choose MP4 - 4K (2160p) under Export > All export options > Video file. A 4K export of footage shot below 4K still gives you a 4K file, and Eddie tells you when it scaled footage up. A cloud MP4 from a desktop import is rendered from the working copy, so it's no sharper than your Proxy Resolution setting. A separate, paid MP4 - 4K upscaled option raises the picture itself.

Try it in Eddie freeNew accounts start with 500 free credits.
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From the help center

FAQ

Questions

Can the free version of DaVinci Resolve export 4K?
Yes, up to Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) at up to 60 fps. DCI 4K and higher resolutions need Studio.
Why is my 4K export blurry?
The timeline or the footage is HD and was scaled up. Set a 4K timeline and edit with 4K footage.

Rendering and delivery

More DaVinci Resolve questions

Let Eddie do the DaVinci Resolve busywork

Add your footage, say what you want, and send the cut back to your editor. New accounts start with free credits.

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