DaVinci Resolve Studio includes a built-in DCP export option. The free version of Resolve does not. If you are using Resolve Free — which most independent filmmakers do — you cannot create a DCP directly inside Resolve, and you will need to export a master file and have the DCP created from that.
This page covers both paths: what to do if you have Resolve Studio and want to export directly, and the correct master file export settings for Resolve Free users who need a professional DCP made from their timeline.
Resolve Free vs. Resolve Studio: What You Actually Have
If you downloaded DaVinci Resolve without paying for it, you have the free version. The free version is powerful and handles almost everything a filmmaker needs — color grading, editing, audio mixing — but DCP export is locked behind the Studio license, which costs $295 as a one-time purchase.
If you are not sure which version you have, go to DaVinci Resolve → About DaVinci Resolve. If it says “DaVinci Resolve” without “Studio,” you have the free version.
This matters because the rest of this page splits into two workflows depending on your answer.
If You Have DaVinci Resolve Studio: Direct DCP Export
Resolve Studio can generate a DCP directly from the Deliver page. This is a legitimate workflow, but there are important caveats before you use it.
Go to the Deliver page and in the Render Settings panel, look for the format dropdown. Select Digital Cinema Package (DCP). You will see options for 2K Flat, 2K Scope, 4K Flat, and 4K Scope.
Before you render, verify these settings:
Timeline frame rate must match your intended DCP frame rate. For most narrative films and documentaries, this is 24fps. If your timeline is 23.976fps — which is the default for many Resolve projects — you need to change it to 24fps before exporting. A DCP rendered from a 23.976 timeline will either be rejected by the theater’s server or will drift out of sync during playback.
Color space should be confirmed before export. Resolve’s color management is powerful but it is easy to export with the wrong output color space. Your DCP should be in DCI P3 color space. If you are working in a Rec.709 or wide-gamut timeline, make sure your output color space in the Deliver settings is set correctly, or the colors in your DCP will be wrong when projected.
Audio must be either stereo (2.0) or 5.1. If you have a 5.1 mix, confirm that your channels are routed correctly — dialogue on center, music and effects on left and right, surround on left and right surround, and LFE on the subwoofer channel. A 5.1 file with incorrectly routed channels is one of the most common problems we see in DCP submissions.
Even with Resolve Studio, many professional filmmakers prefer to export a master file and have a professional DCP service handle the packaging. The reason is quality control — a professional service will catch technical issues before your film reaches the theater, not during your screening.
If You Have Resolve Free: The Correct Export Workflow
You cannot create a DCP in Resolve Free. What you can do is export a high-quality master file that a professional DCP service will use to create your DCP. This is the same workflow used by professional post houses, and it produces a better result than most self-encoded DCPs because the encoding is done on dedicated hardware and software with technical QC built in.
These are the settings to use when exporting your master file from DaVinci Resolve Free.
Go to the Deliver page and use these settings:
- Format: QuickTime Codec: Apple ProRes 422 HQ (if you are on a Mac) or DNxHR HQX (if you are on Windows) Resolution: Your native editing resolution — do not scale down. If you edited in 4K, export 4K. The DCP service will handle the DCI-compliant scaling.
- Frame rate: Export at whatever frame rate your project is. If you edited at 23.976fps, export at 23.976fps — do not attempt to convert it to 24fps yourself. Same goes for 29.97fps. We handle the frame rate conversion to the correct DCI-compliant rate (23.976 becomes 24fps, 29.97 becomes 30fps) as part of the encoding process. A conversion done incorrectly inside Resolve can introduce duplicate frames or audio sync drift, so leave this step to us.
- Audio: Embedded audio is preferred, but a separate audio file works as well. If 5.1, confirm your channel order is L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs.
The one setting most filmmakers get wrong:
Under the Video tab in Render Settings, look for Data Levels. This should be set to Film (Full) — not Video. If you export with Video levels (16-235), your image will look crushed and dark in the DCP. Full range (0-255) is what DCP encoding expects.
What Happens After You Export
Once you have your master file, the process with Pure DCP is straightforward. Upload your file through our order form, select your DCP specifications (2K or 4K, Flat or Scope, frame rate, audio format), and we handle everything else — encoding, packaging, QC, and delivery.
Standard turnaround is 5 business days. Rush turnaround is available if you have a festival deadline coming up.
Pricing starts at $5/minute for 2K with standard delivery, with a $150 minimum. For most short films, that means your DCP costs less than a single festival submission fee.
Common Questions from Resolve Users
Can I use H.264 or H.265 from Resolve instead of ProRes?
We accept H.264 and H.265 but ProRes or DNxHR is strongly preferred. Compressed formats like H.264 introduce additional generation loss during DCP encoding. For a film going to festival projection, you want the highest quality source possible.
My project is in Rec.709. Do I need to do anything special?
No — just export your master file normally. We handle the color space conversion to DCI P3 during encoding. Do not attempt to manually convert to P3 inside Resolve unless you are experienced with color management, as an incorrect conversion will do more harm than good.
What if my film is in a non-standard frame rate like 25fps or 29.97fps?
DCP supports 24, 25, and 30fps. If your film is 25fps (common for PAL-originated projects and European filmmakers), export at 25fps and specify that when ordering. Do not convert 25fps to 24fps — that will change the speed and pitch of your audio.
Do I need to do anything with my audio in Resolve before exporting?
Make sure your mix is at the correct loudness levels for cinema. Cinema audio is calibrated differently from streaming — your dialogue should average around -31 LUFS with peaks not exceeding -10 dBFS. Our DCP audio levels guide covers this in detail.
Ready to Order Your DCP?
Export your master file using the settings above and upload it at puredcp.com/order-dcp. Starting at $5/minute for 2K, with digital delivery and 6 months cloud storage included. If you have questions about your export before ordering, contact us at info@puredcp.com or 818-843-1262 — we are happy to take a look at your specifications before you commit.
Digital delivery and 6 months cloud storage included with every order.
