[2024] How To Add And Remove Black Bars In DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve Black Bars

Cinematic black bars, AKA letterbox effects, are more than just stylistic choices. They're a nod to the traditional widescreen cinematic experience, evoking a sense of grandeur and drama. Their presence can transform a simple video into a cinematic masterpiece, setting the tone for the viewer even before the story unfolds. On the flip side, there are times when these bars need to be removed to fit a particular platform or style, ensuring the content is displayed in its best possible form.

In This Article:

• The essence and significance of cinematic black bars.
• Step-by-step guide to adding these bars in DaVinci Resolve.
• Procedures to effectively remove them without compromising video quality.
• Navigating the intricate settings of DaVinci Resolve to achieve the desired look.

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Adding Cinematic Black Bars in DaVinci Resolve

Locating the Timeline Menu

In DaVinci Resolve, the Timeline menu is your central hub for many editing functions. To find it, look at the top-left corner of the interface. You'll see a series of options, and among them is the "Timeline" option. Click on it.

Accessing Output Blanking

Within the Timeline dropdown, there's a feature called "Output Blanking." This is where you can adjust the aspect ratio of your video. By selecting this, you'll be presented with a range of aspect ratios. For our purpose, you'll want to select "2.35." By doing so, you're essentially adding those cinematic black bars to your video. This gives it that widescreen, movie-like appearance. Believe me, this simple step can elevate the look of your footage.

Viewing the Changes

Once you've made this adjustment, look at your video preview. You'll notice the black bars at the top and bottom. This is where you can see the changes in real-time. If you've filmed in a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, these bars will give it a more cinematic 21:9 look.

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Removing Black Bars in DaVinci Resolve

Now, if you decide you don't want these bars, removing them isn't as straightforward as just reverting the aspect ratio. You see, DaVinci Resolve requires a specific approach to ensure the video retains its quality and appearance.

Navigating to Project Settings

On the bottom row of icons in DaVinci Resolve, there's a gear icon. This is your Project Settings. Click on it. Within this menu, you'll find various settings related to your project's resolution, frame rate, and more.

Adjusting the Master Settings

In the Project Settings, there's a section called "Master Settings." Here, you can see your timeline's resolution. If it's set to 1920x1080, that's the standard HD resolution. Now, you might think to just change this resolution to remove the bars, but hold on. There's a more effective way.

Using Image Scaling

Within the Master Settings, there's an option for "Image Scaling." This is where you can adjust how your video fits within the chosen resolution. By tweaking these settings, you can effectively remove the black bars without compromising the video's quality. Seriously, this feature offers a lot of flexibility, allowing you to get the exact look you're aiming for.