How to BACKUP, MOVE and RESTORE DaVinci Resolve DATABASES - Tutorial

[@cinechimp]

IF YOU'RE MISSING THE BU ICON ... click the "I" (as in "info" circle) next to the database name, it will expand the box and you will see "Back up" and "Reveal in Finder

[@GraemeHindmarsh]

Thank you! You saved my bacon - thought I'd lost the lot! Fortunately, I had backed-up my db, just couldn't figure out how to load the darn thing. It's not exactly an intuitive process - hopefully it will be better in the next iteration.

[@cinechimp]

well - Im glad to hear you didn't lose anything!

[@charlesedmundadams]

Thanks CineChimp! Had a few questions on this! -1:33 when you say external migration disk, do you just mean my SSD / External drive plugged into my laptop? -For your day to day workflow, do you save a EDL file of the project at the end of each day to have the day's work precautionary back up in case the database fails? -Just the same, how often do you back up your databases? Daily? Or just when you move between computers and need to restore a database from one computer to another?

[@cinechimp]

Hi Charles, yes any connected hard drive to you computer. As for my everyday workflow, my entire system is backed up at the end of either importing new rushes or post production work sessions. That includes the database, so normally I will only export an EDL at the end of the project with the rushes for archive. My backups are, NAS, DAS, Cold storage and LTO. But not everything goes to LTO, just the important stuff. Resolves live save a couple of years ago, I think was the biggest update that no one (including me) leaves out of discussions….its pretty bullet proof. As for copying, I use the industry standard copying software HEDGE (soon to be called OFFSHOOT) hedge.video/hedge this guarantees things get copied correctly.

[@Ramziestephan]

Great video! thank you for the info. I am restoring my Mac to clean it up and make it run a little better and need to do this. What would be considered the "System Disk" on a Macbook?

[@cinechimp]

Oh great, its always nice to hear from people trying to get more out of their computers. The system disk on your Macbook would be the internal SSD or HD (depending on its age). If you get stuck or need help, reach out

[@theskinnyfromphatty5811]

Thank you sooo much you are a lifesaver - great little details which could take days or weeks to figure out...

[@cinechimp]

Glad it helped!

[@solomoncastillo4427]

Great video but just wondering what are EDL files? I havent been able to find any other videos on this

[@cinechimp]

Hi Solomon, and EDL file is a Edit Decision List that references all the cut points, media, transitions etc and its an interchangeable file. So an EDL can be easily transferred between editing software. For example FCP to RESOLVE to Prem. In the old days (jesus list to me) this file type, like and XML were use to roundtrip project to designated colour grading software and post sound productions suites. This can now all be found inside resolve and round tripping projects (apart from high end VFX) really is a thing of the past.

[@leodeer9515]

Would exporting a project as a .dra file fulfill the same job as the .edl file did in this video?

[@cinechimp]

Yes and no. Yes in the sense that you will be able to open it in resolve, but you will not be able to share the .dra file with other software if required.

[@mitiasmirnovmusic]

Hi! Thanks for this video! Couple questions if you don't mind please. You say you should back-up EDL files in case something goes wrong with restoring your data-base. What do you mean by this? Is there some sort of error message that could come up which could then be fixed by importing that EDL file in order to fix the issue?

[@cinechimp]

Like all digital media files, databases can corrupt or your drive can fail, or you could just swap database locations onto a new system or drive. It just always pays to have multiple ways to restore an archive, database or project file.

[@mitiasmirnovmusic]

@@cinechimp thanks, but how does an EDL file help you do this?

[@cinechimp]

The EDL is a separate project file that is your edit. So if you lose your database to the point of non recoverability you have each project saved separately that then can be imported back into a NEW database so you dont have to re-edit ALL your lost projects.

[@mitiasmirnovmusic]

@@cinechimp ah I see, thank you sir

[@bigplatesupply3903]

Thank you for this awesome video! I have a question. I failed to backup my databases (I've learned my lesson & will do it from now on). Our IT department created a new profile on my PC for me, so when I opened Resolve, none of my projects showed up. I had to go under my old profile & copy all my projects, then paste them into the new profile. It worked...almost. Now when I'm logged in under my new profile all my projects are show up when I open Resolve, but all the video clips are offline (my other media shows up, though). When I try to reconnect the video clips, those media files do not show! I watched your video on reconnecting video & tried those methods, but nothing is working. Any insight?

[@cinechimp]

Hi there, first thanks for the great question. The first question I would ask is there some sort of admin conflict or local network permissions conflict with the project files? That side of things may need to be fixed by the IT department. If you know where the files are and you have tried a force conform thats super odd that the files wont reconnect. Force conforming is the way you resolve this issue. Have you tried generating an exporting a new EDL or XML. Then start a new project, import the EDL/XML and then try to manually tell resolve where the files are. If that doesn't resolve it, I would try by creating a new folder on a new drive, placing all of the footage in there and again try all the methods of relinking the media. Overall though it really does sound like the system is having the yips if you have tried the above (a force conform) and that is not working, its a sign something else may be wrong. Out of curiosity, you have added the drive location into the resolve settings, in your new profile?

[@bigplatesupply3903]

@@cinechimp Thank you so much for this detailed & knowledgeable response! Turns out I just needed to download the HEVC codec. Seems so simple to have spent as many hours as I did troubleshooting. And yes, I had added the drive location into the resolve settings in my new profile. (But I was many hours in before I realized I needed to do that.)

[@samuraiblack3496]

is there any way you can reconnect a database on your computer? i'm talking about a database that's there, but has the ⚠️ next to it.

[@cinechimp]

You should always be able to reconnect or connect any database to resolve. If you have that symbold appearing, it may be best to contact your local resolve team @ BMD

[@samuraiblack3496]

alright. thank you

[@CoreyMachado]

Thanks for this. I don’t really like the way resolve does this though. Its a bit of a pain. Especially for freelance editors with multiple clients.

[@cinechimp]

You should check out the cloudstore, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoOXYZaVbLuNmas it could really help you out

[@RobertWGreaves]

What? How did you restore? I have no such icon showing in my copy of Resolve 18 (Windows PC). I cannot figure out how to restore to an older version of my database.

[@cinechimp]

Once you have upgraded to 18 you cant roll back to a previous version

[@54321JackHenry]

G'daya mate. Even though I've used resolve a fair bit databases confuse me a lot. Wonder if you could help me out. I created another database from a laptop to go to an external drive. I've since bumped up the hard drive capacity but I can't get it to change the file pathways atutomatically. I keep getting the warning to change it in project settings. Which is a pain every time I create a new project. How do i get back to the default local database? Would appreciate any help in laymens terms. Loved the relaxed way you present the vid. Still over my head though. Cheers

[@cinechimp]

Hi Jack, try to think of a database as a folder and in that folder is all the sub folders that contain your individual projects information. You can have as many databases as you like, but most solo users only need one. If you archive the database from your Laptop to external drive properly you should be able to import / load / link that database to your desktop? If the file pathways don't link, you should only need to link them once and hit save. If this isn't the case, something else maybe up. You also shouldn't have to change project settings either. Thats odd. You can always email screen shots of your process and I can try and help you that way....

[@filmonfilment]

Hi hope you can help, I have a load of exclamation marks on my databases and just can't connect them. I use external hard drives and now I plugged one in it's a different letter from the original so doesn't recognise it. How can I fix this please?

[@cinechimp]

Did you recently update to the public beta?

[@Sonicsmith]

What if I didn't create a database backup but I have all the older drives in my new computer, but a fresh install of Davinici? Are all my project lost forever?

[@cinechimp]

Thats a good question, but TBH I’m not sure as I have never encountered that situation. If you haven't formatted the drives (they are just in a new machine) you theoretically should be able to load resolve and have it load the database. If it doesn't do it automatically, you may have to find them and then load the database from that specific destination.

[@mohdvideos1]

thanks, such a good detailed video

[@cinechimp]

Glad it was helpful! And stoked people still find it useful….enjoy the edit brother

[@HamacekS]

Hey dude! thanks for the thorough video. I like your presentation and um... Aussie! I'm wondering if you can help. My old Mac Pro running Resolve16 died recently, and I just took the leap to a Mac Studio. Anyway, I have no way of exporting my Resolve projects and databases, though I have the original files on disk, project folders, .db files in Application Support etc.. But I'm at a loss for how to restore my database with just these raw files. I've tried copying them to the new Library structure, but nothing's getting recognised. And I haven't found a way to import them. Any ideas where I should go from here?

[@cinechimp]

Hey mate, no worries. One question: can you load the DB on to your new computer at all? Try creating a new database (completely empty) on your new computer. Give it a new database name. Then try and import one of your old database autosaves. If this doesn't work, hit me back?

[@hudonedem8517]

If I have my database on an external drive could I just work from that drive on any other Mac without additional steps ? Just plug in and continue?

[@cinechimp]

Hi Hudo, thats a great question. The answer is yes and no. First you can have your database on an external drive, but this is only recommended for backups, migration etc. Not as a scratch disc. The database is design in program scripting to run from your system disc. So you could have it on an external drive if you where to boot from that drive. I totally understand what you're saying. I have done this before when I have been finishing high end client work and need to "smooze" the clients in a bigger facility on the FOX lot. So they get serviced coffee, a chef for food and beverages on demand and a 50 foot screen for final check-mastering. Its risky though. And you would to travel with more than one copy. However the way resolve works, you would still need to make sure that your DB is registered on the new machine. SO yes, but no, but yes. hope this helps.

[@moonjabes]

@@cinechimp Can I ask how do you register your DB? Asking because I'm dealing with this exact issue atm

[@cinechimp]

@@moonjabes Hey there when you first loaded resolve it would have prompted you to create a database. Did it do this?

[@carloscast1]

Great info. So where on the system disk is the best location for a new database? Right next to the local database?

[@cinechimp]

Hi there, all databases (except backups) should be located on your computers system disc.

[@KingToro824]

ur the goat for this thanks

[@cinechimp]

cheers

[@IAmKINGEntertainmentCS]

Hey I know you said you respond to all questions, So here goes nothing. I'm new to resolve and I tried the new free studio 18 beta version. I liked it so much I wanted to purchase it. So I made a back up of the database and uninstalled the free 18 version and purchased studio 17 version. now I cannot restore my data base and the project i was working is gone What should I do? Or How do I restore the back up database from a higher version?

[@cinechimp]

Hey there, once you have purchased the 17 version, its a free upgrade to 18. Upgrade your system to 18 and then you will be able to open your resolve 18 database. You can not open a database from a higher version in a previous version. Most software is like this. But yes, Resolve is a one time purchase. All updates are free. So check the BMD website and make sure you download the STUDIO version compatible for your computer system and follow this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGnUoJaVbcuhbKc and you should be good to go. If you have any issues, hit me back

[@IAmKINGEntertainmentCS]

Thanks I'm squared away. ⬛️ 🙏🏾🙏🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@cinechimp]

@@IAmKINGEntertainmentCS Great!!!

[@TimetoTalkwithYevgen]

Most needed information, thank you

[@cinechimp]

Glad it help you out Yevgen!

[@mailjabber]

Thanks! I got my dB restored. That confusing dialog box screwed me up. Thanks mate! Liked & subbed.

[@cinechimp]

So happy you didnt lose your database. That would have been a disaster. And welcome aboard

[@christellecubizolles6017]

Always simple to follow straight forward tutorials.

[@cinechimp]

Thanks Christelle

[@showproeurope6666]

Hey! Your video is great and informative. But you show everything inside Davinci, I mean after opening Davinci. My big problem is, that my Software won't start. So my choice would be to reinstall. But I don't want to lose hundreds, maybe thousands of (often manually) synced videos in over 20 projects. And here is the question. Will I lose all my saved projects if I reinstall, (and if I do I will also upgrade from 17 to 18 already), as I can not just simply copy project files to a backup folder. I don't know where they are to find, not like in other VE Softwares, or DAWs or anything usual. Do you have a tip for me? How do I copy/backup files without opening DR?

[@cinechimp]

This is a great question. Do you remember all your save locations? Clone those folders. But don't worry, if you follow the proper install process kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGnUoJaVbcuhbKc when you un-install resolve it wont normally delete your save locations, project folders, databases etc...something would have to go horribly wrong for that to happen. The program not opening is a real issue. Did you download the correct versions, resolve 18 studio = paid, resolve 18 = free. If you have a paid version, thats a BMD resolve team question as there could be a problem with the serial key or your USB dongle. The thing to be most aware of when you upgrade to 18 you cant roll the database back to 17. I would upgrade to 18, then immediately start saving weekly or daily database backups and then copying those to an external disk. Hope this helps, let me know how it all works out

[@showproeurope6666]

​@@cinechimp Hi! Thanks a lot for your answer, I felt more safe to reinstall DR. And it worked. I won't go into details yet, bacause as I sais, I'm thinking of upgrading, but first I'll finish some of my projects. When I do, I will also install Cinema Grade with it, and we'll see how it will work out. CG was probably messing up somehow the plugin database, as it always stopped, and quit after stopping for a while by loading plugin database. I'll maybe come back with some info, when it's all done to report, how it was working out! Thanks again!

[@alysonspery5410]

Your video really straight forward, and yet I can't make it work for what I'm trying to do. All my media and the DB is saved on an external drive. The computer I was working on crashed recently, so now I am trying to connect the database and open the project on a new machine. I can see the project.db file but I can't open it. How come?

[@cinechimp]

Hi Alyson, this is a great question. And I have had this problem before. First on you new machine is install resolve and create a NEW database. Give this database a different name and save location from your last one. Once resolve is set up, then import / connect your old database from your external drive. Let me know if this fixes your issue.

[@alysonspery5410]

@@cinechimp Following your steps in the video, yes, everything checks out. I was able to load datebase, open the project, and import the timeline I exported from my old machine. Thank you! I only wish I knew how to do this sooner. Sadly, I'm afraid I may have lost another project that I didn't do this for a few weeks ago when the computer crashed. For this other project, all the media and the DB are saved on an external drive, but I never backed up the DB or exported the timeline like you demonstrated in your video. Is there any way to recouperate that project file? I can see the file path where the .db file is saved, but haven't been successful in getting it to open on the new computer in Davinci. Any suggestions? I'm happy to email you a screenrecording if that helps explain the issue any better.

[@cinechimp]

@@alysonspery5410 A screen recording would be great. My email is on my channel page. By default resolve 17/18 auto save on the regular. So if you have those auto saves somewhere on a disk, Im pretty sure there should be a way of recovering the project. Together we can try to get to the bottom of it.

[@alysonspery5410]

@@cinechimp You're a champ! I'll email today. Thanks again

[@LanaOkeanes]

Please help! I renamed a bunch of folders (I know stupid) and now none of my databases are connected, nor can I back It up to re-connect, because its not active. What do I do??

[@cinechimp]

Do you have a database archive you can restore?

[@LanaOkeanes]

@@cinechimp im not sure what that means? Where would I look for it?

[@cinechimp]

@@LanaOkeanes Okay first you should watch this video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5Pbd2mOiLx8gbs and start the archiving as a weekly editing practice. Then create a new database with the renamed files. At the end of every major edit session, it would be a good practice to also start exporting project EDL's to a separate folder on a separate work drive and make backups of all projects and contents. I have had this happen before, so you are not alone. It happens to the best of us. Hit me back if you need more help.

[@LanaOkeanes]

@@cinechimp thank you so much! I had no idea I needed to achieve databases! So Im assuming what I had is lost? It was not much, maybe a few days of work. Good thing OI learned before any major projects 😮‍💨

[@cinechimp]

@@LanaOkeanes If you can still open resolve you should be able to save your work. Even if the files are not linking, exporting an EDL will still save the work. If you can get the EDL's to export, you can then create a new database and then import your EDLs and relink the media

[@ErikvanSchaaik]

Heych-for-mac? H-for-mac? Eightch-for-mac? Aaightchz-4-mack? What are you using... precisely? I can't make it out.

[@cinechimp]

Hedge - I think this is the program you are looking for.

[@paulkelly9769]

Thanks for sharing this! Out of curiosity, why do you prefer the "EDL with audio" for individual project backups as opposed to DRP files through File > Export ? I've been using DRP files but are there limitations to those I should be aware of?

[@cinechimp]

Hi Paul - its not that I prefer one over the other, EDL's can be across multiple editing platforms where as a DRP file is only good for resolve.

[@paulkelly9769]

@@cinechimp Ahhh makes sense. Thank you!

[@cinechimp]

@@paulkelly9769 Awesome. Anytime brother

[@TravelClast]

IF YOU'RE MISSING THE BU ICON ... click the "I" (as in "info" circle) next to the database name, it will expand the box and you will see "Back up" and "Reveal in Finder") ... BM updated this.

[@cinechimp]

Yes way after this video was published. Do you think I should take down the video?

[@TravelClast]

@@cinechimp no but maybe put that in the description ...

[@henrykirkwoodfilmmaking]

Cheers for this :)

[@ritasammy4575]

Very informative

[@cinechimp]

Glad you think so!

[@andrewskater17]

Essential to know thank you! Saved me a lot of future trouble.

[@cinechimp]

Glad it helped mate!!

[@NLG-mb2bm]

oo, nice video

[@cinechimp]

thanks for the support. I appreciate you giving the channel your time.

[@TheRealJimmyLundy]

Ok great. Now we have two database on one computer. Great for migrating an old computer to a new computer. But what if we are only doing this once and want to move all the projects from this new database into one database. How do we move projects from one database to another on the same computer? For the purpose of just having one database to manage.

[@cinechimp]

Hey Jimmy - this is absolutely a great question. Currently there is no merge database function. But that would be a awesome ADD if the resolve team ever did that. So currently here is the work around. Open the database that you want to close. Right click on the project you wish to migrate. Then go through the steps that I showed in the video to archive a project kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5Pbd2mOiLx8gbs Save these all to a disk. Once you have complete this, open the database you wish to be working from, and open the archived projects. Once all opened and you have checked you medias linked and all that jazz - you should be able to delete your old database. Let me know how you go. Oh and make you make copies before you delete any media, projects or databases....just in case something goes wrong

[@_TheCakeIsALie_]

i think i did everything right. Only fear is that it wond work bc i worked on DR17 and now have to continue on DR18. Anyone knows if that works? If not, where can i still download DR17?

[@cinechimp]

Hey there your resolve 17 project should open when 18 opens the database. But if not import your project that you saved out via XML

[@AbrazoProductions]

Very informative. I have a hard disk with periodic failure and therefore I have a new one (Glyph 18 TBytes). I made exactly the same file structure and files as on my old disk. My DaVinci backup files are on the system drive. However, 2 things. Number 1. The name of the old database is in the list. I try then to connect because it writes that my database is not connected. But Davinci says my database name exists and therefore I can not use it. Number 2. If I try to restore the database it also says it exists. If I then rename it will not restore!? What is going on? I am afraid to delete the database, which name I can see in the list 😞 I could need some help, please :-)

[@cinechimp]

If you have the database BU on a separate disk, unlink the one in resolve. Then import a new database from your DB backup which can have exactly the same name as what you removed, but now located on an external BU drive. Just remember, before unlinking or deleting anything to have at least 2 backups of everything that you are moving.

[@AbrazoProductions]

@@cinechimp I found out what the problem is. I don't know why it happens?. But the database files are on the disk in a folder on my old external Hard disk. So how do I change the "pointer" from the old hard disk to my computer's SSD?

[@YashaddaiY]

Thank you

[@cinechimp]

You're welcome

[@FoodfortheSubconscious]

Thank you thank you

[@cinechimp]

You are welcome friend

[@Jazscorpio]

Sweet baby Jesus thank you.... Idk what I did but my DR has been crashing for days. Somehow my data base got messed up in the update. Restoring and clicking my computer's system drive saved my BACON

[@cinechimp]

Glad to hear your database didn't get lost.

[@dhpdaedalusStudio]

Thanks!

[@cinechimp]

No problem, stocked it help you with your DaVinci Resole database issues.

[@samuraiblack3496]

how do you do this on Windows 10?

[@samuraiblack3496]

i backed it up to a USB stick. i sent that over to my new computer. what am i missing?

[@cinechimp]

It should be the same as it is managed by resolve

[@samuraiblack3496]

so, you said that you have to put the new database in someplace certain. where would that place be?

[@samuraiblack3496]

would it be something like Users>Desktop or something like that?

[@cinechimp]

@@samuraiblack3496 Where ever you normally save your databases. This is for you to decide.

[@HoundDogMech]

A lot of Work. I back up Regularly but also make a CLONE of my C:\ & D:\Data Drives BI-weekly. Bac ups give me instant access tho everything but the CLONES cover catastrophic Drive or System Failure. And Both can be set up for Untended operation at night.

[@cinechimp]

Great points!

[@jftvrwk]

i love resolve but this part just drives me insane. Had to get that off my chest.

[@cinechimp]

hahahaha no dramas!

[@PrinceWesterburg]

The database system is great if yu have a dept of editors and a server room but for 99% of us its just pain in the arse! We all like to back up a client job, all the footage, stills, graphics, sound, docs and your edit. You can do this in all other software I've ever heard of but not Resolve - Why?!? You can export project but its finiky and the database thing should be an option in Studio for corp users who need multiple users.

[@cinechimp]

Hi Prince, project archiving for client jobs in resolve does copy, all the footage, stills, graphics, sound, and your edit. I know its strange that you have to be outside the project to do this, but at least you can. I look at this a different way, because I come from a large studio environment. And that is that private creators get access to full studio features in their home. So if you do want to expand you team, you can - and you dont get hammered with pricing tiers and month subscription fees. Like, say with Adobe - which is a complete rip off in 2022 compared to resolve 17.

[@AA-zq1sx]

Dudette here, FYI for your greeting...

[@cinechimp]

Oh hi - Awesome!

[@faiththroughfilm886]

God is good!

[@froglemonade3398]

I worked for 10+ hours on something. pressed save, closed davinci, opened it again and the project was there so i went to sleep. Now its just gone and i actually want to just stop trying and give up

[@cinechimp]

Well you shouldn't. It has to be there somewhere. I would create a support ticket with the resolve team in your area. Seriously, they will help you find the project or let you know what went wrong via your resolve log. You can find your local resolve team here: www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/contact/phone or email support in your region here: www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/family/davinci-resolve-and-fusion Could be a program bug, it would be worth reporting.

[@masterprediction7353]

Dude what