DaVinci Resolve terms

Output Blanking

The addition of letterbox or pillarbox overlays to change the aspect ratio of the video output.

What is output blanking in DaVinci Resolve?

Output blanking in DaVinci Resolve refers to a feature that allows users to add cinematic black bars to their videos. This feature is often used to give a widescreen, cinematic effect to the footage. It can be used to change the aspect ratio of the video to formats such as 2.35:1 or 1.85:1, which are common in the film industry.

The output blanking feature can be found in the timeline menu of DaVinci Resolve. Users can select from a variety of preset aspect ratios or create custom ones. This feature is non-destructive, meaning it does not permanently alter the original video footage. Instead, it overlays black bars on the top and bottom (or sides) of the video during playback and export.

How to use output blanking in DaVinci Resolve?

Output blanking in DaVinci Resolve is a feature that allows you to add cinematic black bars to your video, giving it a widescreen effect. To use this feature, first, open your project in DaVinci Resolve and navigate to the timeline where your video clip is located.

Next, go to the 'Timeline' menu at the top of the screen and select 'Output Blanking'. A drop-down menu will appear with different aspect ratio options. Select the one that suits your needs. The black bars will then be added to the top and bottom of your video. You can preview the effect in the viewer. Remember, this is a non-destructive process, meaning you can remove or change the output blanking at any time without affecting the original video.

Why is output blanking not working in DaVinci Resolve?

Output blanking not working in DaVinci Resolve could be due to several reasons. One of the most common reasons is that the software might not be updated to the latest version. DaVinci Resolve frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance, so it's always a good idea to check if you're running the latest version.

Another reason could be related to the settings of the project. If the settings are not correctly configured, it might cause issues with output blanking. For instance, the resolution of the project might not match the resolution of the output blanking. Also, there could be a problem with the graphics card driver. If the driver is outdated or incompatible, it might cause issues with various functions, including output blanking. Therefore, updating the graphics card driver might solve the problem.

Can I customize the output blanking value in DaVinci Resolve?

Yes, you can customize the output blanking value in DaVinci Resolve. This feature allows you to adjust the aspect ratio of your video output, which can be particularly useful if you're working with footage that was shot in a non-standard format. You can find the output blanking option in the timeline menu under the "Output Blanking" option.

To customize the output blanking value, you simply need to select the desired aspect ratio from the drop-down menu. If the aspect ratio you need isn't listed, you can manually input the values. This gives you the flexibility to customize the output to suit your specific needs. Remember to check the final output to ensure that the blanking value has been correctly applied.

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