Studio 21.1.1
← All 100 how-to guidesGUIDE 005 / 100
SETUP & MEDIA

How to change timeline resolution

DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 · Original practical guide

Timeline resolution sets the working frame. It can differ from source resolution, but changing the shape also changes how crops, titles, and graphics fit.

Before you begin

Have a project open and a short source clip on a mounted drive.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Master Settings: proxy, cache, and working-folder settings
Master Settings: proxy, cache, and working-folder settings Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 207. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Step by step

  1. In the Media Pool, right-click the target timeline and open Timeline Settings. Disable Use Project Settings if this timeline needs an independent format.
  2. Under Format, enter the required resolution, such as 1920 × 1080, and confirm the setting.
  3. Review the image-scaling behavior and inspect wide, tall, and low-resolution sources. Choose whether to fit or fill intentionally.
  4. Check titles, Fusion compositions, window positions, and subtitles at the new dimensions before selecting a matching delivery resolution.

Check your result

The timeline viewer and exported test have the correct dimensions without unintended cropping.

If it doesn’t work as expected

Changing the Deliver resolution alone does not redesign a composition. Revisit the timeline when its aspect ratio must change.

BUILD THE UNDERLYING SKILL

Media, organized from the start

Go deeper with the course’s explanations, exercises, and knowledge checks.

Open module 02 →
← PREVIOUS GUIDEChoose the right timeline frame rateNEXT GUIDE →Create and use proxy media

Technical reference: DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Reference Manual, Blackmagic Design, September 2026. Screenshot page numbers refer to that manual. Independently written guidance; specific controls may vary by platform and build. Authorship & image credits.