In DaVinci Resolve, “Deliver” settings should be chosen based on the job the file must do. Most workflows need two exports: a review file and a master file. A dependable approach is to lock a few presets and follow decision rules so you export consistent files every time.
Two exports: Review file vs master file
Review file: small, fast to upload, plays everywhere (clients, phones, browsers).
Master file: higher quality, used for archiving, future re-exports, or handing off to another editor.
Choosing format and codec (H.264 vs H.265), container, and codec rules helps you align with delivery needs.
Containers: MP4 vs MOV
MP4: safest for web review and general playback across devices.
MOV: common for higher-quality masters (especially ProRes on macOS) and post workflows.
Codec decision rules
- Client review / web upload - H.264 in MP4: High compatibility, good quality per file size.
- Same quality, smaller file - H.265 (HEVC) in MP4: More efficient compression, smaller uploads.
- High-quality master for archive - ProRes (MOV) or DNxHR (MOV/MP4 depending on profile): Less compression, better for future re-exports.
Practical guidance: If you’re unsure, export review as H.264 MP4. Use H.265 only when you know the recipient’s device/platform supports it and you need smaller files.
Where to set it in Resolve
Go to the Deliver page. In Render Settings (left panel), choose a preset as a starting point (e.g., “Custom Export”). Set Format (MP4/MOV) and Codec (H.264/H.265/ProRes/DNxHR). Resolution and frame rate consistency help avoid accidental mismatches.
Resolution and frame rate consistency
- Match the timeline unless you have a clear reason not to. If your timeline is 1920×1080 at 23.976 fps, export the same for predictable motion and sync.
- Downscale for review if upload speed matters: export 1080p even if the timeline is 4K (common for client review).
- Avoid frame rate conversion at export (e.g., 24 → 30) unless required by a platform spec. Conversions can cause judder and audio drift in edge cases.
Step-by-step: confirm export resolution and frame rate
- On the Deliver page, find Video settings.
- Set Resolution to Match Timeline (or choose a specific size like 1920×1080 for review).
- Set Frame rate to Match Timeline.
- If you must deliver multiple sizes, create separate presets (e.g., “Review_1080p” and “Master_4K”).
Audio settings (AAC, sample rate, and reliability)
- Recommended audio for web review: Codec: AAC
- Sample rate: 48 kHz (standard for video)
- Bitrate: 320 kbps stereo (or 192 kbps if file size is critical)
Decision rule: Use 48 kHz unless you have a specific deliverable requiring 44.1 kHz. Keeping audio at 48 kHz reduces surprises when combining with other video deliverables.
Step-by-step: set audio export
- In Deliver → Audio, enable Export Audio.
- Set Codec to AAC for MP4 review files.
- Set Sample Rate to 48000.
- Choose Bitrate (start with 320 kbps for review).
Bit rate guidance (quality vs file size)
Bit rate controls how much data is used to represent your video.
- Review 1080p - 8-16 Mbps (use 12 Mbps as a safe default).
- Review 4K - 35-60 Mbps (only if you truly need 4K review).
- Higher-quality web upload - 1080p 16-25 Mbps (better for fast motion/detail).
H.265 note: H.265 can often look similar at ~30-50% lower bitrate than H.264, but compatibility is the tradeoff.
Step-by-step: set bitrate in Resolve
- In Deliver → Video, locate Quality.
- Choose Restrict to and enter a target bitrate (e.g., 12000 Kb/s for 1080p review).
- If you see options for Encoding Profile (Baseline/Main/High), choose High for best quality/efficiency (typical for modern playback).
File naming and folder structure
Reliable delivery is administrative: you want to know exactly which file is the latest, what it’s for, and how it was made.
- Recommended folder structure: ProjectName/Deliverables/Review/Master/Stills_QC/
- Naming pattern: ProjectName_Review_1080p_H264_v03.mp4, ProjectName_Master_4K_ProRes422HQ_v03.mov
- Versioning: increment v01, v02, v03 instead of “final_final”. Optional date for chronological sorting.
Step-by-step: set location and filename
- In Deliver → Render Settings, set Location to your project’s Deliverables folder.
- Enter the filename using your naming pattern.
- Save the settings as a preset so you don’t rebuild it every time.
Render speed vs quality, and when to use each
- Hardware encoding (GPU/Quick Sync): faster, great for review exports; sometimes slightly less efficient compression than software encoding at the same bitrate.
- Software encoding: slower, can yield better quality per bitrate in some cases; useful when you’re pushing low bitrates or seeing artifacts.
- Higher-quality masters (ProRes/DNxHR): larger files, faster to decode/edit later, more robust for future exports.
Decision rules
- For review: prioritize speed and compatibility (H.264 MP4, hardware encoding if available).
- For master: prioritize quality and future-proofing (ProRes/DNxHR; avoid overly compressed long-GOP if you plan to re-edit).
Common reliability toggles to check (if available): Render at maximum depth, Force sizing to highest quality, Force debayer to highest quality (if RAW). These can help with gradients and scaling, but may slow exports.
Quality control (QC) checklist after export
QC ensures delivery is reliable. Do a quick, repeatable watch-down and verification pass before sending.
- Watch-down checks (fast but effective): Start-to-finish playback; spot-check key moments (transitions, titles, speed changes, heavy effects).
- Check the first 10 seconds and last 10 seconds for audio handle issues, missing audio, or abrupt cuts.
- Verify sync: lip-sync on close-ups, verify anchors (claps, door slams) align with audio.
- If you exported with a different frame rate than the timeline, re-check sync carefully (better to avoid the mismatch).
- Spot crushed blacks and clipped highlights; compression and color transforms can affect blacks and highlights.
You are right: for review exports, prioritize compatibility and smaller uploads. A common reliable default is H.264 in MP4, with frame rate set to Match Timeline (often 1080p for review).
