Convert a video for DaVinci Resolve (ProRes, DNxHR)
DaVinci Resolve, especially the free version and on Linux, doesn't always read the AAC audio or the H.264 or H.265 video from smartphones and cameras. The classic fix: convert to an editing codec (ProRes or DNxHR) with uncompressed audio. The files are big, but editing is smooth.
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ProRes is the most widespread; DNxHR is an open alternative that is highly compatible with Resolve.
How to use it
- Install ffmpeg if you haven't already.
- Open a terminal in the folder containing your file.
- Copy the generated command, adjust the file names if needed, then run it.
- Open the resulting file to check the result.
What happens on import?
Resolve opens these files without re-encoding and plays them back smoothly, even on modest machines, because each frame is compressed independently of the others. For a long project, you can also create lighter proxy files.
How much space to plan for
As a rough guide, one minute of 1080p video takes about 1.5 GB in ProRes 422 HQ, 1 GB in ProRes LT and 1.2 GB in DNxHR HQ. Make sure you have enough disk space before converting a long recording.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the file so big?
Editing codecs compress very little so they stay easy to decode: expect 10 to 30 times the size of an H.264 file. That's normal; delete the converted file once editing is finished.
Why is the audio PCM?
PCM is uncompressed audio that every editing application reads without problems. The free version of Resolve on Linux can't read AAC, hence this conversion.
Which file extension should I choose?
Stick with .mov for ProRes and DNxHR: it's what Resolve expects. DNxHR can also be written as .mxf.
Should I keep 10-bit?
ProRes 422 is 10-bit, which preserves gradients. If your source is 8-bit, the gain is small, but there's no downside other than file size.