How to create proxies FAST using Blackmagic Proxy Generator | DaVinci Resolve 18

#blackmagicproxygenerator #proxygeneration #creatingproxies
In this video, I'll show you how to easily create proxies using Blackmagic's NEW Proxy Generator! If you are not yet familiar with the proxy workflow, don't worry--I'll also provide a brief explanation and some context! This feature is only available in DaVinci Resolve 18, so if you are interested in trying it, you might want to update your software!
0:00 - Intro
1:57 - Creating the proxies
2:55 - Which option is best for you
3:58 - Bringing the footage into Resolve
6:02 - Outro
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[@J_HNP]

Just a heads up, you don’t need to turn off proxies for exports. The system automatically exports the high-res. If you’d like to export the proxies (maybe for a quick review), you need to scroll all the way down in advanced options on the delivery page and choose “use proxies for export.”

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Awesome! Thanks for the great tip!

[@fouucault3057]

@@orangerecords_studio wtf is wrong with you ? She can’t know everything

[@dimakop]

@@orangerecords_studio "Even" more "confusing' is when someone throws a dumb comment on "videos" on a "complicated" system/process...dude...your spelling is horrible.

[@DRLZEca]

@@orangerecords_studio Shes provided all the info we need except for that one thing and you get like this ? jeez.

[@SantiFox]

Good for people to know! I think Premiere does not do this, rather exports using proxies?

[@CinematicTouchProductions]

Thank you for your video, I used the black magic proxy generator for the first time today and WHAT a difference! I had just over an hour of 4k footage on my timeline and davinci resolve playback ate it for lunch! I was able to scrub through all that footage back and forth effortlessly!! No lag no skip. This is a total game changer

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Awesome! So glad to hear it worked well for you.

[@ValerioChiarini]

This is great and DaVinci is getting better and better. Thank you for talking about this!!! As FCPX editor, I'm now, more than ever, thinking to switch to DaVinci...and this was a big one. Thank you again for covering it.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

We have fully switched to Davinci for over a year now! Of course with the exception of After Effects. We just finished editing a mini-series for the History Channel on it so definitely have been using it on bigger projects :) Did you end up making the switch? Would love to know your thoughts...

[@troydean]

We've just discovered the BlackMagic Cloud collaboration feature, so we're using proxies in a shared Google Drive to collaborate with our remote editor. Thanks for making this video. Keep up the good work. :)

[@BlueSlateFilms]

That’s awesome Troy! I haven’t personally tried the cloud collaboration feature! Do you think I it’s easy and straightforward to use? we might need it for one of our new projects.

[@DRLZEca]

Ty for helping me understand how to use this thing, im actually really happy with how much i know DR but proxys is definitely a great additon!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

You're welcome!

[@chris4ukraine794]

Great, thank you for this advice. I just installed DVR18, because of this proxy-feature, because I am starting with a really huge Multi-Clip Project. Lets see how this works!!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes!

[@KalleFlodin]

Thank you for this!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KevinMarchese]

def worth talking about, great explanation.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment :) Glad the video helped!

[@handmadefilmfactory1297]

you saved me and my time, thanks for the amazing tips.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

I'm so glad! You're welcome!

[@MrMcMath]

This helps a lot, thank you!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for your comment :)

[@samfenstermacher]

I like this feature. Thanks for filling in a few details for me.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

My pleasure!

[@htcbears60438]

great video! Very well explained. thanks!

[@htcbears60438]

Is there a way to save them on a different drive? I want to disconnect my footage from my hard drive and never touch those drives again until i need them. yes I am paranoid.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

@@htcbears60438 Thanks for your comment! You mean the footage or the proxies? You should be able to make exact copies of them on a different drive. If you want to have a copy of the project as well, you can export the project onto that new hard drive.

[@htcbears60438]

@@BlueSlateFilms thank you so much

[@germandisla7281]

This is why I love Davinci like it JUST LINKS THEM for you! so great

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Yeah! It is so seamless!

[@geoffreymee7671]

Thx for yr explanation re proxi's. Explained it all well. Yes I am a big fan too. I think the bg crew at BDR have come up with a very useful program here - smart thinking folks! I will be using it all the time.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Cool! Thank you!

[@itswrongtokillanimalsifyou2837]

Thanks for the walkthrough. Hopefully this is not inappropriate, but your cheekbones are GORGEOUS!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Hahah thank you!

[@northwestrepair]

its not a separate application. Its a switch to the application to trigger a function and run main program without UI. This is the shortcut to it: Resolve.exe" -pg Same executable that runs the program with UI. It gives you no benefit to run it separately. Its best to run it before you run the user interface.

[@elnourcec2198]

Flawless!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Thank you!!

[@jessehassler]

Very flawed. Thie section on what to encode to and why you would do that is completely incorrect.

[@elnourcec2198]

Simply just a better way to optimize media for smooth playback. Still flawless mate, and explained in a very simple way.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

@@elnourcec2198 Thanks! Always try to keep it simple. No need to get into extreme detail.

[@williamlarochelle3160]

It is worth talking about. Proxy files and pro-res wading into DaVinci with Red raw footage is so stressful that the more I know the better so it can become intuitive.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Hope you have found a solution that works for you!

[@kRoy1247]

Thanks for this. What do you recommend with regard to syncing external audio? I'm trying to figure out the best workflow. I need to create proxies for some Canon RAW 4k footage I have. But I also need to sync audio as well. What do you recommend? Thank you again.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

No problem! I’d say to sync it after making the proxies. To turn off the proxies and enable camera originals is only a switch of a button. Shouldn’t affect audio!

[@arielkantor1081]

hey thanks for the video! if I recorded in 16 bit, what bit depth should I use for the proxies? 16 as well or 8 would do?

[@avcreations2494]

Thanks very helpful. I don't think you need to choose 10bit for proxy though since 8 bit will play back easier and then just use originals when in the color page.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Makes sense!

[@paulgarcia1087]

Thank you soo much for the info! What do you use if the proxies need to have tc burned in for client?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Not sure if DaVinci has updated this yet. You would probably have to make your own proxies within resolve and then link them to the raw footage. The options on the Proxy Generator are limited.

[@jay4kk]

Great vid. Cheers. How do you find out what bit depth I shot at? Is BRAW 6k always 10 bit?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Thank you! Not sure what about BRAW 6K, but you can check the bit depth in the Metadata tab. Should be in the upper righthand corner of the window.

[@TheDetourDuo]

quick question, how do you get to the settings to enable proxy and proxy media path?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

I normally just put the proxies in the original media folder. It automatically creates a new folder called Proxy. And then when you bring in the raw files into a DaVinci Project, they are linked. You don't need to bring the proxies into the project. Just toggle them on and off in Playback - Proxy Handling. Let me know if this makes sense!

[@brianltran]

Awesome video thank you! Do you know a quicker way to toggle proxies on and off? I find having to move cursor up to "Playback" to turn it off slow.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Thanks! As of now, I have not found a quicker solution.

[@adamthewoodworker2571]

How did you get a 10-bit option? I have the studio version and yet only see 8-bit options

[@BlueSlateFilms]

I had the 10-bit option available from the beginning. Maybe there is something in the preferences?

[@BlueSkiesFunDays]

Hi. I am having trouble saving fusion effect macros in Resolve 18, and being able to access them. Any thoughts? Could you show us how to save a macro and access it in Resolve 18 Please...? 🙂 Other than that, keep up the great work. You have taught me a lot.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Oh no! I haven't encountered that issue yet. I am not super familiar with Fusion, so I don't know if I can be of much help. :( Let me know if you find a solution though!

[@yosachaiko9969]

All the options say 1080. But my recording is in 1080 from the start. So how much does this app help with 1080 footage? I just used the Generate Proxy Media option in Resolve with choose automatically on the resolution I think it was and DNxHR option or whatever its called. This did help my playback. I'm wondering if the Proxy Generator makes proxies faster than generating the proxies within Resolve. Is one method faster than the other?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

You probably don’t need to make proxies then if your footage is 1080. Wouldn’t make much of a difference with the playback speed or workflow

[@yosachaiko9969]

@@BlueSlateFilms My playback while just making cuts was choppy and this is while its in 1080. When I made proxies for this 1080 recording, the playback became smoother. I record with OBS. In order to record my face cam and the game separately, I have them side by side in OBS both at 1080. Then I duplicate the video so I crop the game off of one video and crop off the face cam from the other so I can edit them separately. Its recorded at 60fps so I'm wondering if that would have a significant impact. But the proxies actually did help. It was crazy seeing the video actually instantly show the next clip. I've been trying to figure out what parts of my computer aren't good enough. I just don't know a lot.

[@rainifyoulike]

But...how do we create proxies that have been synced with audio? I usually sync my proxies with the raw audio.

[@LisaFerrante]

What if you shot with different cameras with different bit rates? I’m moving over from FCPX and it just figures out the proxy regardless of original file type. Can it work similar?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

It shouldn’t matter too much. Since you won’t ever be exporting proxies, it should be alright to use whichever is closest to what you shot.

[@jabybane7257]

Is the proxy you drag into the edit timeline or the original?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Drag in the original clip and it will automatically link the proxy

[@draft74draft65]

Thank you!…. Anything new for gyro data?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Not yet! Will try to work on that!

[@larryFWD]

Thanks for this. I agree this separate proxy generator program was one of the best news for me with the release of DR18. And due to my current editing needs, I'd say it came just in time too. Quick question though with regards to choosing the right Proxy format in the setup, what if some footage were shot in 10bit 6k and some in 8 bit 4k (I admit, I don't know how or where to check this which may render my question a bit daft in a sense), would that mean generating the proxies separately via the respective proxy format selections? I am just thinking how mammoth of a task it would be in my case, where all my 4k and 6k files are muddled together :-/ The two cameras I use are 6KP and 4K

[@BlueSlateFilms]

You could maybe try to look at the metadata first. If you are on a Mac, do command “i” and I think it should say it. Then, you can separate those clips into two folders and make proxies for each. But, also it may not matter if they are all together, since you wouldn’t be using proxies in a final export. It would only affect how it looks while you are editing I think.

[@larryFWD]

@@BlueSlateFilms Thanks. I had checked the metadata already but just couldn't see 8/10 bit unless it is written in a different way and therefore couldn't spot it.

[@larryFWD]

@@BlueSlateFilms One more thing please. I've got all my proxies ready and at the risk of sounding like a simpleton, I was wondering if I can put them all in one SSD (without the originals) and edit directly using solely Proxies? Currently all the originals are in three separate SSDs so it'll be nice if I can put all the smaller sized proxies into one SSD and just edit from there?

[@davidfontaine2816]

You can create 2 smart bins, one with 6k inside, the other with 4k, and create proxies from them

[@PoetryFilms]

Short question: is this free only with the paid version. It didn't come with my free version and I haven't found a download page on the Blackmagic website. Thanks

[@patrickxtran]

You should have access to it. I have the free version and only realized today that I had already installed it (probably the same time I updated to 18)

[@coscimore]

is the first option half res 1080p = 720p? kinda confusing

[@HikingWithCooper]

I'm looking at the new collaborative workflow and the use of proxies therein. Can proxies be used remotely for color work? I know you won't get the flexibility of editing a braw file but you could at least do a primary grade I'd think(?)

[@BlueSlateFilms]

I probably wouldn't use proxies for color grading, especially if you shot raw. The proxy files will either be Prores or H.264. The grade with the raw footage would be totally different.

[@yaelblanco2575]

23

[@armando.visuals]

Question please... If I already created proxies outside of Davinci. How can I incorporate the proxies in the new project and toggel back and forth like we do when we create them inside Davinci? did that make any sense? or is that even possible? Thank you

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Good question! Not sure how it would work with the new proxy workflow if it wasn’t created in the Proxy Generator, but if your proxies are the same exact names are your high-res files, you can purposefully offline your media and relink to the proxies. Then, ultimately offline those again and relink to the raw.

[@J_HNP]

Hi Armandoo, You can go to your media page, highlight the clips that are the original (high-res), right-click, and choose “relink proxy media.” Then you can navigate to the folder where your proxies live, and select.

[@AndreiPascu]

Quick advice for people using SONY a7C or SONY A7III: the footage is 8-bit

[@yannberte8291]

Hi from France 🙂 Thanks, it's nice to share ! I bought a BMPCC 6Kpro and then I've got Resolve Studio 18 (to download) in the package. I found the file "Blackmagic Proxy Generator Lite" as an alias in my DaVinci Resolve folder and no .exe Do I have to download the last version of the soft to find the app ? I don't understand exaclty what to do... Thanks for an answer if it's possible 🙂and of course a happy new year !!!

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Thank you for the kind message! Congrats! I would just make sure you have the most up-to-date version of Resolve. You can check this by going to your Resolve preferences and click "Check for Updates."

[@yannberte8291]

@@BlueSlateFilms Got it ! v18.1.3 BUILD 8... So I'll try again and thanks for the answer (from France 🐸🥐)

[@rubenasilva]

You can use the "Media Management" menu, transcode , and create your very own proxies with a variety of formats, codecs, subsamplings and compression.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Thanks for the tip! The proxy generator is super easy though. Saved me a lot of time.

[@jhallthird]

...and that's confusing the F out of me 🥲 because... besides the media mgt menu, there is also the separate "proxy generator" as well as the Project Settings --> Master Master Settings which ALSO set the proxy format and locations and etc. Does anyone here happen to know which setting actually controls proxy making?

[@rubenasilva]

@@jhallthird Hi As far as I know, the project settings-> Master Sttings allows you to specify several parameters to be used when you (right click) Generate Proxy Media from the media pool. It also contains the 'Proxy Generation Location'. In the oteher hand, if you use the 'Media management' -->clips--> transcode you can specify there the clips to be transcoded ( whole timeline or selected) and the destination directory (any location you prefer..) and in this case the Project Settings are not used. Of course you will need to link the transoded files to your media pool files so it uses them as porxies.

[@semantica-james]

@@rubenasilva Thanks Ruben!

[@RushOrbit]

What are tour computer’s specs?

[@felixsimardt]

I must say, no need to check for the bit depth of the proxy file since it won't affect the original file once color graded and rendered. I would recommend not color grading with proxies since you will never see the real effect on the image. Sure playing back a graded file with proxies enabled will help getting the jist of your work, but to get the more accurate result, turn off proxies and grade a still image.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

That makes sense! I never color with proxies, but I like it to look as similar as possible to my actual footage.

[@Norain1992]

I am on Windows, is that the reason I dont have the option for ProRes?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Not sure! Maybe make sure you are on the most recent version.

[@leoazvdo6357]

is it work with red raw files?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Yes I have made proxies with Red Raw files. I just did not apply any color profile to those proxies though

[@ParTak-mi2ex]

You said "let's open up that." There is no that as far as I can see. No proxy generator in applications. Can you tell me where that can be found?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

What version of Davinci are you on? It should automatically download it with DRS 18.

[@MariWakocha]

How do I know if my footage is 8 bit or 10 bit?

[@BlueSlateFilms]

You can check the metadata. Open the file in quicktime and press command i if you are on a mac. Then go to video details and it should say. Of if you are in DaVinci, go to tge metadata tab.

[@MariWakocha]

@@BlueSlateFilms Thank you!

[@arthurbell4614]

I actually prefer the old way its so easy. I didnt see the need for this tool

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Glad that works for you!

[@piyman]

All these videos keep showing proxy work flow but let me tell u this proxy generator is pretty much broken(at least for me ) .I have a paid version of Davinci 18. I work a lot in animation project where we export files from 3d software like May and unreal in png sequence . And davinci like any other NLE system (read premiere) is very jurky . we tried this proxy generator to convert our files , And it did not work at all (did not covert a single file ). Finally I use generate proxy media from inside Davinci and that worked..

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Ah interesting. I don’t work with animation that often, so I’ve never had this issue. Hope you find a better solution!

[@Top10GameplayTrailers]

You're gorgeous

[@BlueSlateFilms]

☺️

[@leoyoung7547]

Sigh. No Avid proxies.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

Haven't used Avid in a long time. How do you like it?

[@jessehassler]

Welp, you clearly don't understand the point of proxies. When encoding you choose what to encode to based on your computer and hard drive/bus speed capability. Proxies are for local playback performance and speeding up remote workflows ONLY. Using proxies requires more hard space. Highly compressed footage like H.264/5 is more processor-intensive for your computer to play back than a mezzanine codec like ProRes. Most computers struggle to playback ProRes because of their bus speed or hard-drive transfer rate. If you are doing color, VFX or delivery of your final, it reverts back to the camera original media.

[@BlueSlateFilms]

I was talking about bit depth in relation to color grading. If someone shot in 10 bit and made proxies in 8 bit, they might see some color banding in the proxy file. I prefer to have the proxy be as visually similar to the original file as possible to avoid any confusion. Also, I clearly stated that you must switch back to camera originals before outputting any files.

[@iutiubdotkomm]

@jesse you are clearly a very self centric person. I have several projects with 3TB of data and I don't have the space on my MacBook Pro M1 Max. So the h265 Proxy will allow me to have the projects locally on my machine while the originals sit on the NAS. @blue slate: thank you for the helpful video. don't listen to the haters!

[@2424rocket]

Has anybody ever said to you… Get to the point? You ramble on and on and on before you get to the point.