In this article, we will explore how to set up Davinci Resolve with an external HDR monitor to edit, grade and export Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 content.


The following topics will be covered:

• Components
• Profile 8.4 encoding
• Example Setup
• Calibration
• System setup
• Video I/O and color management setting
• Export Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 from Resolve

Components

• Davinci Resolve Studio version18 and onwards (MacOS and Windows)
• External HDR display
• External video I/O hardware

Profile 8.4 encoding

Each of the following requirements enables Dolby Vision encoding capabilities in Resolve Studio 18.

• The Dolby Vision Mastering and Playback Annual License
• Mac systems supporting Resolve Studio 18

For more information regarding Dolby Vision encoding in Resolve 18 and later versions, please refer to this article:

Dolby Vision Encoding – FAQs Using Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio v18

Please note this information is based on the availability of Dolby Vision encoding in DaVinci Resolve Studio version 18. The range of functions may change in later versions.

Example Setup

ASUS ProArt PA32UGC Connected to Resolve (Windows or Mac Version) via Blackmagic IO hardware
For more detailed technical specification information, please refer to the ASUS website.
 
 

Calibration

Before we set up the ASUS ProArt display with Resolve, it is always recommended to professionally calibrate the monitor to make sure the color accuracy is correct during Dolby Vision 8.4 content creation process.  For more information about how to calibrate the ASUS ProArt display, please refer to this support article on their website.

 

System Setup

• Connect the Blackmagic IO hardware to your Resolve host machine, then navigate to Davinci Resolve -> Preferences -> System -> Video and audio I/O, and set the monitor device as your Blackmagic IO hardware

           

• Connect the Asus ProArt display to the HDMI output of the Blackmagic IO hardware

 

Video I/O and color management setting

Setting up Davinci Resolve using Asus ProArt display as reference monitor

• Go to setting -> Master Setttings -> Video monitoring, set the signal format as YUV 4:2:2 10 bit full range and check "Enable metadata over HDMI"

         
 

• For the Color Management setting, there are many options for this use case using different color science settings in Resolve. The key setting is to set the output color space as Rec.2020 HLG.
  Please refer to this example setting below:

              

•   The Asus ProArt display works in a "source-led" style, thus the HDR metadata over HDMI will trigger the display into  HLG mode for Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 editing.

             

 

Export Dolby Vision Profile 8.4 using Dolby Vision encoding from Resolve

 

• Navigate to the delivery workspace and set the Format and Codec as QuickTime H.265.  Set the encoding profile as Main 10 in the Encoding Profile drop down.

            
 

• Go to the Advanced Settings and set the Dolby Vision Profile as Profile 8.4.  Resolve will then calculate frame-by-frame metadata for the HDR image during the export process.

      

For more details, please check the following video on how to setup Davinci Resolve 18 for Dolby Vision Profile8.4 editing: