How to Upscale Videos in DaVinci Resolve
A Step-by-Step Guide
That gorgeous footage looked sharp on set — then a resolution change on the Deliver page turned it soft and mushy. DaVinci Resolve's Super Scale does it properly: an AI upscaler that adds plausible detail instead of just stretching pixels. Here's exactly how to turn 1080p into clean 4K (or 8K), the free-version workaround, and the pro tricks that keep it looking natural.
What "Upscaling" Really Does
Naïve upscaling just stretches the pixels you already have, so a 1080p clip blown up to 4K looks soft and blocky — there's no extra detail, only bigger versions of the same pixels. DaVinci Resolve's Super Scale is different. Powered by the DaVinci Neural Engine, it analyses each frame and generates plausible new pixel detail, reconstructing edges and texture as it enlarges. That's the difference between "bigger and blurrier" and "genuinely sharper."
A realistic expectation matters here: Super Scale is a rescue-and-enhance tool, not a miracle button. It shines on clean, decent-quality footage that simply needs to match a higher-resolution timeline — old 1080p archival clips, a project shot at mixed resolutions, footage you want to future-proof. It will not turn a shaky, compressed phone video into a cinema master. With that framing set, let's upscale something.
Naïve resizing enlarges existing pixels (blocky); Super Scale reconstructs new detail with the Neural Engine (sharper).
Before You Start
Two things decide how this goes: which version of Resolve you have, and how good your source is.
The full AI Super Scale (2x/3x/4x with noise reduction) requires DaVinci Resolve Studio — a one-time purchase of roughly $295–299 (no subscription). The free version can still place low-resolution footage on a high-resolution timeline and export it, but it doesn't include true Super Scale (and where it appears, output is limited or watermarked). If you're on the free version, skip to Method 2 for the best workaround. If you upscale regularly, Studio pays for itself quickly.
You'll also want a reasonably capable GPU — Super Scale leans on it heavily, and render times climb fast at higher multipliers. And be honest about your footage: clean 1080p upscales beautifully; noisy, heavily compressed, or low-bitrate clips will fight you. Now, the main event.
Super Scale, Step by Step
This is the workflow that turns a 1080p clip into genuine 4K. It takes about fifteen minutes the first time and a couple of minutes once it's muscle memory.
Confirm you're on Resolve Studio
Open DaVinci Resolve and check you're running Studio, not the free version — Super Scale won't work properly otherwise. Free-version users should jump to Method 2.
Create a high-resolution timeline
Set your target resolution first — Super Scale needs a timeline bigger than the source to upscale into. Go to File › Project Settings › Master Settings and set Timeline Resolution to 3840 × 2160 for 4K (or 7680 × 4320 for 8K). Under Image Scaling, choose "Scale entire image to fit." (Prefer per-timeline control? Right-click the timeline in the Media Pool › Timeline Settings and untick "Use Project Settings" first.)
Import your footage
Drag your lower-resolution clip into the Media Pool (or use File › Import › Media). Keep it here for a moment — you'll apply Super Scale at the clip level before dropping it on the timeline.
Apply Super Scale in Clip Attributes
Right-click the clip in the Media Pool and choose Clip Attributes. Under the Video tab, find the Super Scale dropdown and pick your multiplier:
- 2x — turns 1080p into ~4K. The sweet spot for most footage.
- 3x / 4x — bigger jumps (up to 8K), best reserved for very clean sources.
Set Sharpness and Noise Reduction to Medium to start — High can look crunchy and artificial. Click OK. Depending on your Resolve version, you can also review these under the Inspector once the clip is on the timeline.
Add the clip to the timeline and preview
Drag the clip onto your high-resolution timeline — it should now fill the frame cleanly. Scrub through and inspect edges and fine texture at 100% zoom. Because Super Scale is GPU-heavy, smooth playback may need optimized media or a render cache first (Playback › Render Cache).
Export at your target resolution
Open the Deliver page (the rocket icon). Set the output resolution to match your timeline (e.g. 3840 × 2160). For archival quality choose DNxHR or ProRes; for smaller shareable files use H.264/H.265 at a high bitrate. Then Add to Render Queue and Render All. That's your upscaled master.
"Super Scale rewards restraint: 2x at Medium settings on clean 1080p beats 4x at High on noisy footage every time. Upscale the detail that's there — don't ask the AI to invent what isn't."
The Free-Version Workaround
The free version of DaVinci Resolve lacks true Super Scale, but you can still get a respectable result by combining a high-resolution timeline with careful, manual sharpening. It won't reconstruct detail like the Neural Engine, but for a quick lift it's genuinely useful — and free.
Set a high-resolution timeline
As in Method 1, set the timeline to your target (3840 × 2160) via File › Project Settings › Master Settings, with Image Scaling set to "Scale entire image to fit."
Drop your clip on the timeline
Resolve scales the lower-resolution clip up to fill the frame. On its own this is the "soft" result — the next steps add back apparent sharpness.
Add a Sharpen node on the Color page
Switch to the Color page, add a serial node, and apply subtle sharpening (in the Blur/Sharpen palette, nudge the radius slightly below the midpoint). Keep it gentle — over-sharpening creates halos around edges.
Clean up and export
Add mild noise reduction if your version allows it, then export from the Deliver page at your target resolution. The trick that sells it: a tiny blur (0.3–0.5) then a re-sharpen gives a more natural, film-like edge than sharpening alone.
Pro Tips for Natural Results
Super Scale gets you 90% of the way; these habits close the gap between "obviously upscaled" and "looks like it was shot that way."
Start conservative: 2x, Medium sharpness, low-to-medium noise reduction — then tune per shot rather than globally. Stack a subtle Sharpen node on the Color page on top of Super Scale for controllable edge definition. Use Spatial Noise Reduction (AI-powered in newer Studio versions) to tame grain that upscaling would otherwise exaggerate. The film-look trick: a tiny blur (0.3–0.5) followed by a light re-sharpen reads as natural rather than digitally crunchy. And upscale selectively — apply Super Scale only to the clips that need it, since it multiplies render time on every clip it touches.
Super Scale is a resource hog, especially at 3x/4x or across a full timeline. Generate optimized media or a render cache so editing stays smooth, keep the heavy multiplier render as the final step, and let a capable GPU do the lifting. Previewing 4x repeatedly is the fastest way to lose an afternoon to the spinning progress bar.
Which Method Should You Use?
| Method | Version | Quality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Scale 2x | Studio | Excellent | Clean 1080p → 4K, most jobs |
| Super Scale 3x/4x | Studio | Great (clean sources) | Big jumps to 8K, pristine footage |
| High-res timeline + Sharpen | Free | Decent | Free users, quick lifts |
| Dedicated AI upscaler | External | Best-in-class | Very low-quality or archival footage |
Rule of thumb: Super Scale 2x for most work; a dedicated tool only when the source is too rough for Resolve to rescue.
When to Reach for a Dedicated Upscaler
Super Scale is excellent value — it's free with Studio, integrated into your edit, and more than enough for rescuing decent footage. But it has a ceiling. When the source is very low resolution, heavily compressed, or genuinely old film, or when you need the strongest possible detail reconstruction and specialized models for faces, motion, or grain, a dedicated AI upscaler pulls ahead. Tools built purely for this — like Topaz Video AI — train separate models for different problems and often recover detail Super Scale can't.
The common pro workflow is to upscale in the dedicated tool first, then finish the edit in Resolve. If you're weighing that route, see our breakdown of Topaz versus other enhancement workflows to decide whether the extra step (and cost) is worth it for your footage. For most everyday upscaling, though, Super Scale 2x is all you'll need.
Common Questions & Straight Answers
Can you upscale video in the free version of DaVinci Resolve?
Only partially. The free version lets you place lower-resolution footage on a higher-resolution timeline and export it, which is basic scaling, but it does not include the AI-powered Super Scale feature (and where it appears, output is limited or watermarked). For true AI upscaling with 2x/3x/4x and noise reduction, you need DaVinci Resolve Studio, a one-time purchase of around $295–299. Free users can still get good results by combining a high-res timeline with careful sharpening — see Method 2 above.
How much can Super Scale upscale a video?
Super Scale offers 2x, 3x, and 4x upscaling. A 2x setting turns 1080p into roughly 4K; higher multipliers can reach 8K from HD sources. More is not always better — 2x from a clean 1080p source usually looks excellent, while pushing 4x on noisy or compressed footage can amplify artifacts. Start at 2x with Medium sharpness and noise reduction, then increase only if the source quality supports it.
Where is the Super Scale setting in DaVinci Resolve?
The primary location is Clip Attributes: right-click a clip in the Media Pool, choose Clip Attributes, and find the Super Scale dropdown under the Video tab. Depending on your Resolve version, you may also see or adjust Super Scale options in the Inspector when a clip is selected in the timeline. Set the multiplier there (2x/3x/4x) along with sharpness and noise reduction.
Why does my upscaled footage still look soft or artifacted?
Super Scale is an upscaler, not a magic quality fix. If your source is grainy, heavily compressed, or full of artifacts, upscaling can amplify those flaws as false detail. Try a lower multiplier, set noise reduction to Medium, and add a subtle Sharpen node plus Spatial Noise Reduction on the Color page. If the footage is genuinely poor, a dedicated AI video upscaler will usually beat Super Scale's results.
Is Super Scale slow, and how can I speed it up?
Yes — Super Scale is resource-intensive and can significantly increase render times, especially at 3x/4x or across many clips. To speed things up, generate optimized media or a render cache for smooth playback while editing, apply Super Scale only to clips that need it, use a capable GPU, and do your final high-multiplier render as the last step rather than previewing it repeatedly.
Should I use DaVinci Resolve Super Scale or a dedicated AI upscaler like Topaz?
Use Super Scale when you already work in Resolve Studio and need solid 2x upscaling as part of your edit — it's free with Studio, integrated, and good for rescuing decent 1080p footage. Choose a dedicated AI upscaler like Topaz Video AI when the source is very low quality, when you need the strongest possible detail reconstruction, or when you want specialized models for faces, motion, or old film. Many editors upscale in the dedicated tool first, then finish the edit in Resolve.
What export settings are best for upscaled video?
On the Deliver page, set the output resolution to match your upscaled timeline (for example 3840 × 2160). For maximum quality and archiving, export with a high-quality codec such as DNxHR or ProRes; for smaller shareable files, use H.264 or H.265 at a high bitrate. A higher bitrate preserves the detail Super Scale added, so don't undo your work with an overly compressed export.
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