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Best Way to Export Small File Size in DaVinci Resolve

Direct methods for restricting bitrate, changing codecs to H.265, and lowering resolution in DaVinci Resolve.

The best way to export a small file size in DaVinci Resolve is to drastically restrict the custom bitrate, encode using the high-efficiency H.265 codec, and render at 1080p instead of 4K.

Here are the direct methods to best export a small file size in DaVinci Resolve.

What is the fastest way to restrict export bitrate?

If your 5-minute video is exporting as a massive 10GB file, DaVinci Resolve is allocating entirely too much data per second for the final render.

To quickly restrict export bitrate:

  1. Go to the Deliver page at the bottom of the interface.
  2. In the top-left Render Settings, scroll right and select the Custom preset.
  3. Scroll down to the Quality section under the Video tab.
  4. Change the dropdown from Automatic to Restrict to.
  5. Enter a much lower custom bitrate: type 15000 Kb/s for 1080p video, or 30000 Kb/s for 4K. This forces DaVinci Resolve to compress the file significantly smaller.

How do you use the high-efficiency H.265 codec?

If you restricted the bitrate but the file is still too large for an email attachment or Slack message, you must use a more aggressive compression algorithm.

To export using H.265 (HEVC):

  1. On the Deliver page, select the Custom preset.
  2. Set the Format to MP4 and the Codec to H.265 (HEVC).
  3. Under the Encoder section, ensure your hardware GPU is selected (e.g., Apple Silicon, NVIDIA). H.265 requires much more processing power but produces files up to 50% smaller than H.264 at identical quality.

How do you lower the export resolution?

If you shot the video in pristine 4K or 8K but it only needs to be viewed on a smartphone screen, you must downscale the timeline pixel count.

To lower export resolution:

  1. Go to the Deliver page.
  2. Under the Video tab, find the Resolution section.
  3. Change the dropdown from 3840 x 2160 Ultra HD to 1920 x 1080 HD. This reduces the number of pixels by 75%, resulting in a dramatically smaller file size without changing your editing timeline.