DaVinci Resolve workflow
Create subtitles for DaVinci Resolve Free
Turn a video or voice-over into an editable SRT subtitle file without buying a transcription service or uploading your footage. Whisper runs locally in your browser; DaVinci Resolve handles the final subtitle track.
Quick answer
Whisper Online downloads a whisper.cpp model, processes the selected media locally, lets you correct individual timed words, and exports the result without uploading the media file.
Step by step
The practical workflow
- 1
Choose the video or voice-over
Open Whisper Online and select an audio or video file. Choose Tiny for speed, Base for balance, or Small when accuracy matters more than processing time.
- 2
Transcribe and correct the timed words
Review the paragraph editor or open Detailed edit to change every token, start time and end time before creating captions.
- 3
Export an SRT file
Choose SRT in Export settings. Adjust words per line, characters per line, maximum lines and caption duration for the style of video you are cutting.
- 4
Import the SRT into Resolve
In the Media Pool, use Import Subtitle, select the SRT and drag the subtitle clip onto the timeline. Position its beginning at the same timeline point as the source media.
A useful route for Resolve Free editors
DaVinci Resolve Studio includes additional AI and subtitle features, while many editors use the free edition for cutting, grading and delivery. A standard SRT file provides a simple bridge: create the timed text outside Resolve, then use Resolve's subtitle track for placement and styling.
Whisper Online is especially useful for interviews, talking-head videos, tutorials, short documentaries and voice-over edits. It accepts the media file directly, performs speech recognition on the device and gives you control over the transcript before export.
How SRT behaves inside DaVinci Resolve
SRT stores caption text with start and end times. Resolve imports those cues as subtitle clips. You can then change track styling, correct individual cues and reposition the imported subtitle clip on the timeline.
SRT is designed for conventional subtitle tracks. It does not create Text+ clips, Fusion compositions or word-by-word animated titles. Those are different workflows. This tool focuses on producing a clean, portable subtitle file that Resolve can import reliably.
- Match the imported subtitle clip's start to the source clip or sequence start.
- Use shorter captions and fewer characters per line for vertical social video.
- Review names, technical terms and punctuation before export.
- Keep a JSON export when you also need the original individual word timings.
Caption settings for common Resolve projects
For a horizontal interview or tutorial, two subtitle lines with moderate character limits are usually easy to read. For 9:16 social edits, shorter one- or two-line captions reduce the chance of text colliding with interface elements and platform overlays.
The export dialog can split captions by word count, character count, line count and duration. These are layout controls rather than permanent transcript changes, so the same edited transcript can produce different SRT versions for different timelines.
Why use local transcription?
FAQ
Common questions
Does this work with DaVinci Resolve Free?
The generated file is a standard SRT subtitle file. Import it into Resolve through the Media Pool and place it on a subtitle track. Menu wording can vary between Resolve versions.
Does it add subtitles directly to my Resolve timeline?
No. Whisper Online creates the SRT file; you import and position it in Resolve. It does not install a plugin or modify a Resolve project.
Can it create animated Text+ captions?
No. SRT represents timed subtitle cues, not Fusion or Text+ compositions. Use Resolve's own styling or animation workflow after import.
Is my unreleased footage uploaded?
No. Media decoding and Whisper transcription run in your browser. Only the selected Whisper model is downloaded.
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