Be Color Space Aware! Understanding Color Spaces in DaVinci Resolve

If your footage looks perfect in DaVinci Resolve but shifts in color when uploaded to YouTube or played on a TV—this article is for you.

Color spaces are one of the most misunderstood and overlooked topics in post-production, especially among beginner and even intermediate editors. If you've ever asked:

• Why does my export look different from my timeline preview?

• Should I use Rec.709-A or Rec.709 Gamma 2.4?

• What color space should I use when grading for TV vs Instagram?

You're not alone—and you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’ll break down what color spaces actually are, how they affect your footage in DaVinci Resolve, and when to use the right ones for your delivery platform—whether it's broadcast, social media, or streaming.

What Is a Color Space?

At its core, a color space is a range of colors that can be represented in a digital image. Think of it as the rules that define how color is stored, interpreted, and displayed.

In DaVinci Resolve, you’ll encounter color spaces primarily in:

• Camera footage (like Blackmagic, ARRI, Sony, DJI)

• Timeline settings

• Color grading nodes (via Color Space Transform or CST)

• Export settings

Matching color spaces from input to output ensures that your footage retains the correct contrast, saturation, and gamma across devices and platforms.

Why Color Space Matters in DaVinci Resolve

Here’s the problem: Resolve might display your footage in Rec.709 Gamma 2.4, but YouTube and many web players expect Rec.709 with an sRGB gamma curve. If you're not careful, your final export might appear darker, washed out, or oversaturated to your viewers.

Real-World Example:

If you’re color grading for TV broadcast, you’ll likely want:

• Timeline color space: Rec.709 Gamma 2.4

• Export tag: Rec.709 Gamma 2.4

But if you’re uploading to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ll want to:

• Edit in: Rec.709 Gamma 2.4

• Export using: Rec.709 sRGB gamma tag

This small adjustment can fix 90% of the “Why does it look different on YouTube?” issues.

Key Color Spaces You Need to Know

Let’s break down the most commonly used color spaces and what they’re for:

🔹 Rec.709 (Gamma 2.4)

• Use for: Traditional HD TV and cinema-style grading.

• Gamma curve: 2.4 (designed for dark environments)

• Best for: Broadcast delivery, Netflix spec, Blu-ray.

This is Resolve’s default timeline color space. It’s designed to preserve shadow detail and contrast when viewing in dim environments like a movie theater or dark room.

🔹 Rec.709 (sRGB or Gamma 2.2)

• Use for: Web, YouTube, social media platforms.

• Gamma curve: 2.2 / sRGB

• Best for: Bright viewing environments like phones and laptops.

Although you might still grade in Gamma 2.4, tagging the export with sRGB ensures proper display across standard monitors and online players.

🔹 DaVinci Wide Gamut / Intermediate

• Use for: High-end color grading workflows.

• Why it matters: Allows you to preserve the widest range of color and dynamic range.

• Use with CST nodes to transform from camera color space into DWG and back out to Rec.709.

This is ideal when working with log or raw footage from ARRI, Blackmagic, Sony, etc. You get cleaner grades, better highlight rolloff, and more flexibility without baking in a look too early.

🔹 DCI-P3

• Use for: Theatrical projection.

• Gamma curve: 2.6

• Color gamut: Wider than Rec.709, smaller than Rec.2020

• Best for: Digital cinema packages (DCP) and high-end film festivals.

The Color Space Transform (CST) Node – Your Secret Weapon

One of the most powerful tools in DaVinci Resolve is the Color Space Transform node. It lets you take footage from a specific camera profile (like Sony S-Gamut3.Cine/S-Log3) and convert it into your working color space (like DaVinci Wide Gamut or Rec.709).

Basic CST Setup:

If you shot on DJI in D-Log M:

1. Input Color Space: DJI D-Gamut

2. Input Gamma: D-Log M

3. Output Color Space: DaVinci Wide Gamut

4. Output Gamma: DaVinci Intermediate

   
   

Then, once your grade is done, you can add a second CST to go from:

• DWG / Intermediate → Rec.709 / Gamma 2.4

Pro Tip: Always grade in a wide gamut like DWG and transform last—it gives you the cleanest results.

The Hidden Danger: Gamma Tagging at Export

Even if your project looks correct in Resolve, it can fall apart after export—especially when uploading to platforms like YouTube.

🔥 Common Mistake:

Exporting in Rec.709 Gamma 2.4 without setting the correct color tag.

Many media players and websites assume an sRGB gamma, so your footage appears too dark or contrasty.

✅ The Fix:

Set your export tag to Rec.709-A or Rec.709 sRGB (depending on your workflow and version of Resolve).

Here’s how:

1. Go to Deliver tab

2. Click Advanced Settings

3. Under Color Space Tag, select: Rec.709

4. Under Gamma Tag, choose: sRGB

   
   

This tells YouTube (or other players) how to interpret your file correctly.

Choosing the Right Color Space for Your Platform

Here’s a quick reference chart:

Target Platform	Timeline Color Space	Gamma	Export Tag
YouTube / Vimeo	Rec.709 Gamma 2.4	2.4	Rec.709 / sRGB
Instagram / TikTok	Rec.709 Gamma 2.4	2.4	Rec.709 / sRGB
TV Broadcast	Rec.709 Gamma 2.4	2.4	Rec.709 / 2.4
Netflix / Hulu	Rec.709 Gamma 2.4	2.4	Rec.709 / 2.4
Theater / DCP	DCI-P3	2.6	DCI-P3
Mobile Viewing	Rec.709 Gamma 2.4	2.4	Rec.709 / sRGB

Tips for Beginners: Don’t Overthink It, Just Be Consistent

It’s easy to get lost in color science rabbit holes. But if you follow one simple rule, you’ll avoid 95% of issues:

👉 Use CST nodes for conversion. Grade in DWG. Export in Rec.709. Tag it correctly.

That’s it.

You don’t need a degree in color theory. Just understand the purpose of each color space and when to use them.

Common Questions Answered

❓ Why does my YouTube video look darker than in Resolve?

You likely exported using Gamma 2.4, but YouTube expects sRGB. Tag your export with Rec.709 + sRGB gamma to fix it.

❓ Should I grade in Rec.709 or DaVinci Wide Gamut?

Grade in DaVinci Wide Gamut for the most flexibility. Use CST to convert into Rec.709 at the end.

❓ Can I use just one CST or do I need two?

Best practice is to use two:

• First CST: Converts camera log → DWG/Intermediate

• Second CST (after grading): DWG/Intermediate → Rec.709/Gamma 2.4

❓ What if I don’t know what gamma my footage uses?

Use MediaInfo to check, or consult your camera’s documentation. Most mirrorless cameras shoot in log (S-Log, V-Log, D-Log) or Rec.709.

Color Space Awareness Is the Key to Professional Results

You don’t need to be a color scientist but you do need to be color space aware.

Knowing how to properly use color space transforms, timeline settings, and export tags will immediately set your work apart—especially in a world where so many videos still look "off" online.

🎯 Ready to Master Color in Resolve?

Want to dive deeper into pro color workflows?

👉 Check out our free tutorial on YouTube:

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