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Best Way to Export High Quality Video in DaVinci Resolve

Direct methods for maximizing bitrate, choosing ProRes or H.265 codecs, and bypassing YouTube compression in DaVinci Resolve.

The best way to export high quality video in DaVinci Resolve is to use the Deliver page to select a robust codec like Apple ProRes or H.265, set a constant high bitrate, and bypass default web presets.

Here are the direct methods to best export high quality video in DaVinci Resolve.

What is the fastest way to export Apple ProRes or DNxHR?

If you need a visually lossless master file for archiving or sending to a colorist, you must use an uncompressed professional codec.

To quickly export ProRes or DNxHR:

  1. Go to the Deliver page at the bottom of DaVinci Resolve.
  2. In the top-left Render Settings, scroll right and select the Custom preset.
  3. Under the Video tab, change the Format to QuickTime.
  4. Change the Codec to Apple ProRes 422 HQ (Mac) or DNxHR HQX (Windows).
  5. Click Add to Render Queue and then Render All. The resulting file will be massive but identical in quality to the original timeline.

How do you maximize bitrate for H.265 web delivery?

If you are uploading to YouTube or Vimeo and the video looks blocky or pixelated, the default export preset compressed the data rate too aggressively.

To maximize bitrate for web delivery:

  1. On the Deliver page, select the Custom preset.
  2. Set the Format to MP4 and the Codec to H.265 (HEVC).
  3. Scroll down to the Quality section and change it from Automatic to Restrict to.
  4. Enter a high custom bitrate: type 60000 Kb/s for 4K video, or 30000 Kb/s for 1080p. This forces DaVinci Resolve to allocate enough data to keep complex motion looking crisp on YouTube.

How do you bypass color shifts on Mac exports?

If your exported video looks perfectly graded inside DaVinci Resolve but appears washed out or desaturated when played in QuickTime on a Mac, the color space tags are mismatched.

To bypass Mac export color shifts:

  1. Go to DaVinci Resolve > Preferences > System > General.
  2. Check the box for Use Mac Display Color Profiles for Viewers.
  3. When exporting on the Deliver page, expand the Advanced Settings under the Video tab.
  4. Set the Color Space Tag to Rec.709 and the Gamma Tag to Rec.709-A. This forces QuickTime to interpret the contrast exactly as you graded it.