DaVinci Resolve terms

Field Dominance

A setting that determines which field is displayed first in interlaced video.

What is field dominance in DaVinci Resolve?

Field dominance in DaVinci Resolve refers to the order in which the lines in a video frame are displayed or scanned. In traditional analog video systems, images are displayed using a technique called interlacing, where each frame is split into two fields - one containing all the odd-numbered lines, and the other containing all the even-numbered lines. The field that is displayed first is known as the dominant field.

In DaVinci Resolve, a professional video editing and color grading software, you can specify the field dominance for your project. This is particularly important when working with interlaced footage to ensure proper playback and rendering. If the field dominance is set incorrectly, it can result in visual artifacts such as combing or ghosting in the video. Therefore, understanding and correctly setting the field dominance is crucial for achieving the best possible video quality.

How to change field dominance in DaVinci Resolve?

To change field dominance in DaVinci Resolve, you need to first open the software and load your project. Once your project is loaded, navigate to the "File" menu at the top of the screen and select "Project Settings". This will open a new window where you can adjust various settings related to your project.

In the Project Settings window, look for the "Master Settings" tab. Under this tab, you will find the "Video Monitoring" section. Here, you can change the field dominance from "Upper Field First" to "Lower Field First", or vice versa, depending on your needs. Once you have made the necessary changes, click "Save" to apply them to your project. Remember, changing the field dominance can affect the quality of your video, so it's important to understand the implications of this setting before making any changes.

Why is field dominance important in DaVinci Resolve?

Field dominance is important in DaVinci Resolve because it plays a crucial role in the quality of the video output. DaVinci Resolve is a professional video editing software that deals with a variety of video formats, including interlaced video. Interlaced video is a technique for doubling the perceived frame rate of a video display without consuming extra bandwidth. It achieves this by alternating between two fields, one for odd-numbered lines and one for even-numbered lines. The field that is displayed first is known as the dominant field.

If the field dominance is not correctly set in DaVinci Resolve, it can lead to issues such as jittery or shaky playback, especially during scenes with fast motion. This is because the software may be trying to display the fields in the wrong order, causing a mismatch between the movement in the video and the sequence of the fields. Therefore, correctly setting the field dominance is crucial for ensuring smooth, high-quality video playback in DaVinci Resolve.

What does field dominance do in DaVinci Resolve?

Field dominance in DaVinci Resolve refers to the order in which lines in a video frame are displayed. This is particularly relevant for interlaced video, where the image is split into two fields - one for the odd-numbered lines and one for the even-numbered lines. The field that is displayed first is known as the dominant field.

In DaVinci Resolve, you can set the field dominance for your project, which can help to ensure that your video plays back smoothly and without any unwanted artifacts. This is especially important when working with older footage that was shot on tape or broadcast in an interlaced format. By correctly setting the field dominance, you can help to preserve the original look and feel of the footage while also taking advantage of the advanced color grading and editing tools available in DaVinci Resolve.

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