How to Create Proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19 [2026 Guide]

Q: How to Create Proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19 [2026 Guide]

Creating proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19 is the most effective way to edit high-resolution footage (like 4K, 6K, or 8K) on a standard computer without lag. To do this, you use the 'Generate Optimized Media' feature or the specific 'Proxy Generator' app included with the Studio version. The quickest method within the project is to select your clips in the media pool, navigate to 'File' in the top menu (or right-click), choose 'Render in Place', select a compressed codec like H.264 or H.265 at 1080p

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How to Create Proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19 [2026 Guide]

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Updated January 5, 2026

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How to Create Proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19: The Ultimate Workflow Guide

DaVinci Resolve 19 has revolutionized post-production workflows by integrating powerful machine learning and cloud collaboration features. However, the fundamental challenge of editing high-bitrate, high-resolution footage remains. If you are trying to cut a 6K Blackmagic RAW project on a laptop, your system will likely choke.

This is where Proxy Workflows save the day.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to create proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19 using both internal methods (Render in Place) and external tools (Proxy Generator App). We will also cover the technical settings required to ensure a seamless round-trip between your low-res editing files and your high-res finishing masters.

Understanding Proxies: Why They Matter in 2025

Before we dive into the 'how', we must understand the 'why'. A proxy is a duplicate of your original media file, but with significantly reduced data rates and resolutions (typically 1080p or 720p).

The Benefits of Proxy Workflows

Hardware Independence: You can edit 8K footage on a laptop with integrated graphics.
Faster Export/Import Speeds: Smaller file sizes move faster across networks and into the cloud.
Battery Life: Editing proxies consumes less power than decoding massive RAW files.

Technical Comparison: Original vs. Proxy

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Method 1: Creating Proxies via "Render in Place" (Best for Direct Control)

The 'Render in Place' feature is the cleanest way to create proxies within a single project. It creates new files on your drive and automatically swaps them into your timeline.

Step 1: Configure Preset

Before rendering, you must create a preset for your proxy files. Resolve 19 defaults to a DNxHR or ProRes setting, but for H.265 or H.264 support, ensure your project settings are correct.

1. Go to the top menu: DaVinci Resolve > Settings (Mac) or File > Settings (Windows/Linux). 2. Navigate to the Master Settings tab. 3. Ensure your Timeline Resolution matches your target output, but for proxy creation, we will override this in the render settings.

Step 2: Select Clips

In the Media pool, select the clips you want to proxy. You can press Cmd+A (Mac) or Ctrl+A (Windows) to select all clips in the bin.

Step 3: Render in Place

1. Right-click the selected clips. 2. Select Render in Place. 3. In the Render Settings window that appears: * Format: Choose QuickTime or MP4. * Codec: Select H.264 or H.265 (Main Profile). These codecs offer the best compression ratios for size reduction. * Resolution: Change this from 'Source' to 1920x1080 (or 1280x720). * Frame Rate: Same as Source.

Step 4: File Naming and Destination

File Naming: Default naming includes [Filename]_[Resolution]_[Codec]. Leave this to avoid confusion.
Location: Select a fast secondary drive (NVMe SSD) to save the proxies. Do not save them to your system drive.

Step 5: Execution

Click Render. Resolve will create new video files. Once finished, the clips in the media pool will now link to these new, lightweight files.

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Method 2: Using the Proxy Generator App (Best for Pre-Production)

DaVinci Resolve 19 ships with a standalone application called Proxy Generator. This is a utility tool that can run in the background, allowing you to prepare proxies *before* you start editing, or while you are working on another task.

This is part of the 'Cloud' workflow introduced in recent versions but works locally as well.

The Workflow:

1. Open the Proxy Generator app (found in your DaVinci Resolve installation folder). 2. Drag and drop your camera raw files (folders or individual clips) into the Proxy Generator window. 3. Select your Preset (e.g., 1080p H.265). 4. Click Start. The app creates proxy files in a designated folder. 5. Back in Resolve, you must use the Media Storage panel to navigate to the created proxies, rename them to match your camera files (if they don't automatically), or use the Relink Clips function to map the original filenames to the new proxy filenames.

> Note: As of Resolve 19, the most seamless method for users is Method 1 (Render in Place) because the Proxy Generator often relies on strict filename matching conventions that can be confusing for beginners.

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Method 3: Generate Optimized Media (The Automatic Method)

While not strictly 'Proxies' in the traditional sense, Generate Optimized Media creates cached files (often in DNxHR or ProRes Proxy) that Resolve uses in the background to improve playback performance.

When to use this:

You want better performance but don't care about file size management.
You want Resolve to handle the switching automatically without renaming files.

How to do it:

1. Go to Playback > Render in Color. Ensure this is set to 'Off' (to see the optimized media). 2. Select clips in the Media Pool. 3. Right-click > Generate Optimized Media. 4. Resolve creates files in a cache location on your drive.

To switch between original and optimized media, press the Fast Forward/Skip icon in the timeline toolbar (or press Ctrl+Q / Cmd+Q).

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Using Python for Bulk Proxy Management (Advanced)

For power users managing massive projects, you can use the DaVinci Resolve Python API to automate proxy rendering. Below is a conceptual script snippet for Resolve 19.

import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr_script
Initialize Resolve
resolve = dvr_script.scriptapp("Resolve") project_manager = resolve.GetProjectManager() project = project_manager.GetCurrentProject() media_pool = project.GetMediaPool()
Select clips in current bin (Logic requires clips to be selected)
This script assumes you have selected clips manually first
def render_proxies(): # Get current render settings render_preset = "Proxy_H265_1080p"
# This mimics 'Render in Place' # Note: API access to 'Render in Place' is limited in versions prior to 18.1 # In 19, we can trigger jobs to the Render Queue
clips = media_pool.GetClipList() if not clips: print("No clips found in bin.") return
print(f"Starting proxy job for {len(clips)} clips...")
# Add specific logic to configure render preset via XML or UI interaction # project.SetRenderSettings({})
# project.AddRenderJob() # project.StartRendering() print("Proxy jobs added to Render Queue.")
if __name__ == "__main__": render_proxies()

> Disclaimer: Always backup your database before running Python scripts on your project. The API changes frequently between Resolve versions.

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Linking Existing Proxies (The 'Offline' Workflow)

If you shot on a camera that already recorded low-res proxies (like the RED Komodo or Sony FX series) or you created proxies in Premiere, you can link them in Resolve 19.

1. Use the Source Tape Override

1. Select a clip in the Media Pool. 2. Inspect the clip attributes. Ensure the Start Timecode matches between your High Res (Original) and Low Res (Proxy) files perfectly. This is the 'Golden Rule' of proxy workflows. 3. If the timecodes match, you can drag your proxy footage over the clip in the bin, or use the Relink Clips function (found in the Media Pool context menu) to point Resolve to the folder containing the proxies. Resolve will look for matching filenames and timecodes.

2. Manual Relinking

Go to Media Storage, navigate to your proxy folder. Drag the proxy files into the bin. If they don't auto-link to the timeline clips: 1. Right-click the clip in the timeline. 2. Select Link Media. 3. Choose the proxy file.

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Troubleshooting Common Proxy Issues in 2025

Issue 1: "Media Offline" after Rendering in Place

Cause: You moved the external drive or changed the folder path. Fix: Go to Media Storage, locate the new folder, right-click the clip and select Relink Selected Clips.

Issue 2: Proxies look worse than expected

Cause: You used too much compression on the H.265 settings. Fix: Re-render using ProRes 422 LT or DNxHR SQ. These file sizes are larger than H.265 but visually lossless and easier for the CPU to decode during playback.

Issue 3: Audio drift out of sync

Cause: This happens if you change the frame rate during proxy generation (e.g., shooting 24fps but rendering proxies at 23.98). Fix: Always ensure your Proxy Render settings have Frame Rate: Same as Source selected.

Conclusion

Creating proxies in DaVinci Resolve 19 is not just about saving disk space; it is about freeing up your creativity from the constraints of your hardware. By utilizing the Render in Place feature, you can build a workflow that handles 8K footage as smoothly as 1080p. Whether you are using the new Proxy Generator app or standard render settings, maintaining strict organization of your file structures is key to a painless experience.