Guide on Transferring a DaVinci Resolve Database to a New Device

DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editing software that allows professionals to create stunning visual effects and produce high-quality movies. However, when you need to switch to a new computer, you may face the challenge of moving your DaVinci Resolve database along with all your projects and preferences.

Moving the DaVinci Resolve database to another computer requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition without losing any data. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of transferring your DaVinci Resolve database to a new computer.

Step 1: Backup your database

The first and most crucial step is to create a backup of your DaVinci Resolve database on your current computer. This ensures that you have a copy of all your projects, media files, and settings.

Step 2: Transfer the backup to your new computer

Next, you need to transfer the backup file to your new computer. You can use external storage devices like USB drives or network transfer methods to move the backup file securely.

Step 3: Install DaVinci Resolve on your new computer

On your new computer, download and install the latest version of DaVinci Resolve. Make sure to choose the same version as the one on your old computer to avoid compatibility issues.

Step 4: Restore the database on your new computer

After installing DaVinci Resolve, locate the backup file you transferred from your old computer. Open DaVinci Resolve and navigate to the database settings. Select the option to restore from a backup and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 5: Verify the database transfer

Once the database restore process is complete, check if all your projects, media files, and preferences have been successfully transferred to your new computer. Open a few projects and ensure that everything works as expected.

Conclusion

Moving a DaVinci Resolve database to another computer can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and execution, it can be done smoothly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure a seamless transition and continue your video editing work on a new computer without any data loss.

Prepare Your DaVinci Resolve Database

Before moving your DaVinci Resolve database to another computer, it’s important to make some preparations to ensure a successful transfer. Follow these steps:

1. Make sure that both the source and destination computers have the same version of DaVinci Resolve installed. You can check the version number by going to the “DaVinci Resolve” menu and selecting “About DaVinci Resolve.”
2. Close DaVinci Resolve on both computers to prevent any conflicts during the transfer.
3. Create a backup of your DaVinci Resolve database. To do this, navigate to the location of your database files. The default location is usually:

Operating System	Database Location
Windows	C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\Resolve Disk Database
macOS	/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Support/Resolve Disk Database
Linux	/home/username/.local/share/DaVinciResolve/Resolve Disk Database

Copy the entire “Resolve Disk Database” folder to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or a network storage device.

4. Transfer the backup database folder to the new computer. You can use a USB drive, network transfer, or any other method that works for you.
5. Install DaVinci Resolve on the new computer if it’s not already installed.
6. Copy the backup database folder to the same location as the original database on the new computer. Make sure to replace any existing files or folders.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you can open DaVinci Resolve on the new computer and continue working with your existing database.

Backing Up Your Database

Backing up your DaVinci Resolve database is an important step to ensure that your projects and settings are safely stored in case of any data loss. Here are the steps to back up your database:

1. Locate the Database Files:

The DaVinci Resolve database files are typically stored in the following location:

Mac: /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Resolve Disk Database/

Windows: C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\Resolve Disk Database\

2. Copy the Database Files:

Once you have located the database files, copy the entire folder (Resolve Disk Database) to a separate storage device, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.

3. Verify the Backup:

After the copying process is complete, it is recommended to verify the integrity of the backup files. You can do this by checking if all the database files are successfully copied and if they can be opened without any errors.

4. Regularly Update Your Backup:

For maximum data protection, it is advisable to regularly update your database backup. This can be done by repeating the above steps periodically or by using automated backup software.

5. Store the Backup Securely:

Make sure to store your database backup in a secure and easily accessible location. Consider using multiple backup methods, such as cloud storage, external hard drives, or network-attached storage (NAS), to minimize the risk of data loss.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your DaVinci Resolve database is backed up and protected, providing peace of mind and minimizing the potential impact of any unexpected data loss.

Exporting Your Database

To export your DaVinci Resolve database to another computer, follow the steps below:

1. Open DaVinci Resolve on your current computer.
2. Click on the “Database” tab in the project manager panel.
3. Click on the “PostgreSQL” dropdown menu and select “Export Database.”
4. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the exported database file.
5. Click on the “Export” button to start exporting the database.
6. Once the export is complete, transfer the exported database file to the new computer using a USB drive, network drive, or any other method of your choice.

By following these steps, you will have successfully exported your DaVinci Resolve database, and you can now import it into the new computer.

Transfer the Database to Another Computer

If you want to move your DaVinci Resolve database to another computer, you can follow these steps:

1. Begin by quitting DaVinci Resolve on both the source and destination computers.
2. Locate the DaVinci Resolve database on the source computer. By default, it is found in the following directory: /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Resolve Disk Database.
3. Copy the entire database directory to an external storage device or network location, such as a thumb drive or shared folder.
4. Connect the external storage device to the destination computer.
5. Navigate to the same directory on the destination computer: /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Resolve Disk Database.
6. Paste the copied database directory into the destination computer’s directory.
7. Launch DaVinci Resolve on the destination computer.
8. When prompted, select the option to load an existing database.
9. Navigate to the copied database directory and select it.
10. DaVinci Resolve will load the database, and you should be able to access all your projects, timelines, and media on the destination computer.

By following these steps, you can easily transfer your DaVinci Resolve database to another computer and continue your editing work seamlessly.

Copying the Database Files

Before you begin, make sure to close DaVinci Resolve on both the source and destination computers. This will ensure the integrity of the files and prevent any data corruption.

1. Locate the database files on your source computer. On Windows, the default location is C:\ProgramData\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\Resolve Disk Database. On macOS, the default location is /Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Resolve Disk Database. On Linux, the default location is /opt/resolve/Resolve Disk Database.

2. Copy the entire Resolve Disk Database folder to a portable storage device, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.

3. Connect the portable storage device to the destination computer.

4. Navigate to the default location of the DaVinci Resolve database files on the destination computer, as mentioned in step 1.

5. Paste the entire Resolve Disk Database folder from the portable storage device into the destination folder, replacing any existing files.

6. Launch DaVinci Resolve on the destination computer. The database should now be successfully moved to the new computer, along with all the project data and settings.

It’s important to note that if the new computer has a different username or file path, you may need to manually update the file paths within DaVinci Resolve to ensure proper file access.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully copy the DaVinci Resolve database files to another computer, allowing you to seamlessly continue your work with all the project data and settings intact.

Using External Storage

If you want to move your DaVinci Resolve database to another computer, using external storage can be a convenient option. When you store your database files on an external drive, you can easily connect it to any computer and access your projects and settings.

To begin, make sure you have a reliable external storage device such as a USB drive or an external hard drive.

Follow these steps to move your DaVinci Resolve database using external storage:

1. Close DaVinci Resolve: Before making any changes, ensure that DaVinci Resolve is not running on either computer.
2. Locate the DaVinci Resolve Database Files: On the current computer, navigate to the folder where the DaVinci Resolve database files are stored. The default location is usually in the “Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve” directory.
   Note: The location may vary depending on your operating system.
3. Copy the Database Files: Copy the entire DaVinci Resolve database folder and all its contents to your external storage device.
4. Connect the External Storage: Disconnect the external storage device from the current computer and connect it to the new computer where you want to move the database.
5. Paste the Database Files: On the new computer, navigate to the desired location where you want to store the DaVinci Resolve database. Paste the copied database folder and overwrite any existing files if prompted.
6. Launch DaVinci Resolve: Start DaVinci Resolve on the new computer and go to the “Preferences” menu. In the “Database” tab, click on the “Browse” button and select the new location of the database folder on the external storage device.
7. Verify the Database Location: Confirm that the DaVinci Resolve database is now using the new location by checking the database path in the Preferences menu.

By following these steps, you can successfully move your DaVinci Resolve database to another computer using external storage. Remember to always backup your database files before making any changes to ensure the safety of your projects and settings.

Restore the Database on the New Computer

To restore the DaVinci Resolve database on the new computer, follow these steps:

1. Plug in the storage device containing the database backup into the new computer.

2. Open DaVinci Resolve on the new computer and ensure that it is updated to the same version as the previous computer.

3. In the DaVinci Resolve application, go to the “Database” menu and select “Restore” to open the Restore Database dialog.

4. In the Restore Database dialog, click the “Browse” button and navigate to the location of the database backup file on the storage device.

5. Select the database backup file and click “Open” to return to the Restore Database dialog.

6. Check the box next to “Restore as a new database” if you want to keep the existing database on the new computer separate from the restored database. If you want to replace the existing database, leave the box unchecked.

7. Click “Restore” to start the restore process. This may take some time depending on the size of the database backup file.

8. Once the restore process is complete, you will see a notification indicating the success of the restore. Click “OK” to close the Restore Database dialog.

9. Restart DaVinci Resolve to load the restored database.

Your DaVinci Resolve database should now be restored on the new computer, allowing you to access your projects and media files as they were on the previous computer.

Importing the Database

Once you have successfully backed up the DaVinci Resolve database on your current computer, it’s time to import it onto your new computer. Follow these steps:

1. Copy the database backup file from your current computer to the new computer. You can use a USB drive, external hard drive, or any other method to transfer the file.
2. On the new computer, open DaVinci Resolve.
3. In the main menu, click on “File” and then select “Restore Database”.
4. Navigate to the location where you saved the backup file, and select it.
5. Click on “Open” to start the database import process.
6. DaVinci Resolve will now import the database and restore all your settings, projects, and media files.
7. Once the import process is complete, you can start using DaVinci Resolve on your new computer with all your previous data intact.

It is important to note that importing the database will overwrite any existing DaVinci Resolve database on the new computer. Therefore, make sure to create a backup of any important data on the new computer before proceeding with the import process.

Q&A

Can I move a DaVinci Resolve database to another computer?

Yes, it is possible to move a DaVinci Resolve database to another computer. This can be done by following a few simple steps.

What is the purpose of moving a DaVinci Resolve database to another computer?

The purpose of moving a DaVinci Resolve database to another computer may be to transfer projects, media files, and settings to a different system, or to back up the database for safekeeping.