Studio 21.1.1
Module 02 · Media
LESSON 02.04 · 35 MIN PRACTICE

Relink offline media and consolidate a project

Media offline usually means Resolve cannot access the expected source path, or cannot decode the file. Diagnose the reason before rebuilding the edit.

What you’ll be able to do

Recover a deliberately broken path and validate a portable project copy.

ACTUAL RESOLVE INTERFACEView full size ↗
Relink Media dialog with missing-file locations
Relink Media dialog with missing-file locations Reference example from the DaVinci Resolve 21.1 manual, page 403. Software screenshot © Blackmagic Design. The demonstration media and selected settings may differ from your project.

Work through it

  1. On a disposable copy of your practice project, close Resolve and move one copied media folder. Reopen the project and observe which clips become offline. Do not experiment on your only originals.
  2. Select the affected clips or bin and use Relink Selected Clips. Point Resolve to the actual new media location and let it search. A drive letter or volume-name change may be the only difference.
  3. Compare duration, timecode, audio, and frames at edit boundaries after relinking. Repeated camera filenames can connect the wrong shot if identity is not checked.
  4. Explore Media Management for copying used media into a new destination. Choose Copy for a safe rehearsal. Include sufficient handles if you trim media, and test the result before discarding anything.

A mistake to avoid

Moving or deleting source media during consolidation can damage other projects that reference it. Test Copy first, and verify any archive independently.

Your turn

Make a copied, consolidated version of a short project and reopen it with the original media location temporarily unavailable. Confirm that all used clips play.

QUICK KNOWLEDGE CHECK

What should follow relinking?

Your notes

Write down what worked, what surprised you, and what to try next. Saved on this device.

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Original practical lesson · Open the in-house resource shelf for practice files and definitions. Completion records your self-assessment, not certification.