This article covers the following frequently asked display questions:
 

• Which version of DaVinci Resolve supports Dolby Vision?
• Do I need a license to work in Dolby Vision using DaVinci Resolve?
• How to load a Dolby Vision license in DaVinci Resolve?
• Which Dolby Vision functionality is available inside DaVinci Resolve?
• Which Dolby Vision version should I use for my projects?
• Which color management should I use inside DaVinci Resolve for a Dolby Vision project?
• How do I set up a project inside DaVinci Resolve for Dolby Vision?
• How to calculate Dolby Vision metadata using DaVinci Resolve?
• How to trim for various targets using DaVinci Resolve?
• How to trim across dissolves using DaVinci Resolve?
• How to export in Rec.2020 from a P3 finished project using Davinci Resolve?
• How does DaVinci Resolve Studio align imported Metadata to shots in the timeline?
• Which color panels support access to the trim controls using DaVinci Resolve?
• Where can I get further information on how to use Dolby Vision inside DaVinci Resolve?

Which version of DaVinci Resolve supports Dolby Vision?

To create content in Dolby Vision, you need a valid DaVinci Resolve STUDIO license. 

 

Do I need a license to work in Dolby Vision using DaVinci Resolve?

Some content owners want to make adjustments to the metadata on a shot-by-shot basis using additional "artistic trim controls". Dolby Vision trim controls are available in many systems and require a license from Dolby.

You can get a license through the Dolby Professional Store.

For more info on the license, please see the FAQs of the Dolby Professional Store.

How to load a Dolby Vision license in DaVinci Resolve?

Import the license key inside Resolve by choosing File-> Dolby Vision - Load License. Its successful installation will enable the Dolby Vision palette to be displayed in the Color page.
You will need to restart Resolve for this to take effect.
 

Which Dolby Vision functionality is available inside DaVinci Resolve?

Please refer to this Knowledge Article, that will list the available Dolby Vision functionality inside currently certified color grading and packaging tools.

 

Which Dolby Vision version should I use for my projects?

It is recommended to use Dolby Vision 4.0 for all projects. Dolby Vision 4.0 has more functionality and in general yields better results in comparison to Dolby Vision 2.9 and it is backward compatible. If your delivery requires CMv.2.9 metadata you can easily export it out of a Dolby Vision 4.0 project. For more information about the differences between Dolby Vision CMv.2.9 and CMv.4.0, please refer to this Knowledge Article .

Export a 2.9 Dolby Vision XML from Davinci Resolve

1. Media page > select Timeline > right click > Timelines > Export Dolby Vision XML
2. Select a name and destination for the XML and press save
3. Select XML Version > select 2.9 XML
4. It is customary to send both the 2.9 and 4.0 XML to the studio.

You can also downgrade Dolby Vision CMv.4.0 metadata to CMv.2.9 metadata stored in XML version 2.0.5 using Metafier with the following command:

./metafier -o <output_cm29.xml> --save-version 2.0.5 <input_cm4.xml>

Both Dolby Vision CMv.2.9 metadata files are valid, so you can use either method.

Which color management should I use inside DaVinci Resolve for a Dolby Vision project?

For Dolby Vision projects you might want to select a color managed, scene-referred grading option. Some popular scene-referred grading options for HDR and Dolby Vision deliveries are:
 

How do I set up a project inside DaVinci Resolve for Dolby Vision?

To set up a project in DaVinci Resolve for Dolby Vision, please refer to this tutorial video or refer to this Quick Start Guide Dolby Vision: DaVinci Resolve Studio .


 

How to calculate Dolby Vision metadata using DaVinci Resolve?

To calculate Dolby Vision metadata,

• Collapse all Video tracks on video track 1. 
  • Create compound clips for shots that form a composite in a timeline (overlapping clips combined via key or alpha channel transparency, composite, blend modes, or text generators appearing over one or more video clips).
• Color Page - Dolby Vision - select Analyze option

For more in-depth info, please refer to this tutorial video or refer to this Quick Start Guide Dolby Vision: DaVinci Resolve Studio ​​​​​​.
 

 

How to trim for various targets using DaVinci Resolve?

The use of Dolby Vision Trim control requires that all shots are analysed and that a valid Dolby Vision Trim licence is in place. As the trims interpolate, start by trimming the SDR version first. For HOME deliveries use the SDR 100-nit BT.709, BT.1886 (HOME) target and trims, for CINEMA deliveries use, depending on the desired white point, one of the 48-nit P3, Gamma 2.6 (CINEMA) target and trims. 
Start trimming using the Mid Tone offset control before adding additional primary and secondary trims. 


To trim for various targets, set the Target Display Output and Trim Controls to the respective target

• Color Page - Dolby Vision tab - Target Display Output & Trim Controls For

For more in-depth info, please refer to this tutorial video or refer to this Quick Start Guide Dolby Vision: DaVinci Resolve Studio .



 

How to trim across dissolves using DaVinci Resolve?

Dissolves and other image transitions get automatically detected by the Dolby Vision Analysis and Trims. No special treatment is necessary as analysis and trim metadata gets recorded as frame-by-frame offset metadata.
For more info on how to best handle image transitions - see this Knowledge article .

 

 

How to export in Rec.2020 from a P3 finished project using Davinci Resolve?

To export in Rec.2020, select the correct Rec.2020 Output Transform (ACEScct) or Output Color Space (DaVinci YRGB Color Managed)

ACEScct

• Project Settings - Color Management - ACES Output Transform - Rec.2020 ST2084 (* nits, P3D65 Limited)

DaVinci YRGB Color Managed

1. Project Settings - Color Management - Output Color Space - Rec.2020 ST2084 (* nits)
2. Limit output gamut to - P3-D65

 

Export a corresponding Rec.2020 Dolby Vision XML

• Media page - select Timeline - right click - Timelines - Export Dolby Vision XML
• Select a name and destination for the XML and press save
• Select XML Version - 4.0
  • select 5.1 to include L11 as well as Cinema trims metadata to your XML. If not explicitly requested and outlined in the delivery specifications of your customer, you should export a version 4.0 XML
• Set Mastering Display Primaries - Rec.2020

 

How does DaVinci Resolve Studio align imported Metadata to shots in the timeline?

The Dolby Vision XML metadata import feature in Resolve is primarily intended for QC purposes, where a single Dolby Vision metadata XML file is imported into a single video item in the timeline. 
Resolve aligns the first frame found in the imported metadata to the first frame of the asset (ignoring edit points) into which the metadata is imported, regardless of the position of that shot you’re importing the metadata to within the timeline. Therefore, if individual shots need to be updated with newly created metadata, you need to create individual Dolby Vision XMLs for the specific shots that need updating and will need to apply that metadata to an imported shot with the same head frame as the XML, or create a compound clip from a shot that has been trimmed to the same head frame as the XML.
Imported metadata will then be associated with the specific image frames after the head, up to the duration of the shot found in the XML. After metadata import, shots can be trimmed or repositioned as needed but not extended as the Dolby Vision metadata is applied at the per-frame level and new frames will have no metadata associated with them.

 

Which color panels support access to the trim controls using DaVinci Resolve?

The DaVinci Resolve Advanced and Mini Panel give colorists access to the Dolby Vision Trims controls.
3rd party Midi controllers, like Loupedeck/SlideshowFX, Tachyon Post, Midigrade offer access to the Dolby Vision Trim controls and can be used along with a DaVinci Resolve Micro or other panels.

 

Where can I get further information on how to use Dolby Vision inside DaVinci Resolve?

See the Tutorials section for more video tutorials on how to use DaVinci Resolve Studio for a Dolby Vision project. Also, visit the Black Magic Design homepage for further info.