How to setup your monitor properly for Rec709 output in DaVinci Resolve using display color profiles

In this video we discuss the benefits of using Apple's built-in reference modes on Mac OS (Since Big Sur and Ventura) for a quick and efficient workflow when it comes down to color accuracy in your work, how to work with display color profiles to maintain a proper color management in DaVinci Resolve and other applications and the difference between Software and Hardware calibrated displays and what's best for you.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:39 Setting up DaVinci Resolve
2:43 Reference display modes on Mac OS / Apple Devices
4:24 Calibrating your display
5:10 Software calibrated display
6:26 Hardware calibrated display
7:11 Decklink Cards
7:35 Conclusion and Summary

[royerctz]

How do you avoid using Rec709-A when uploading your videos on YouTube? I have a Benq2705Q monitor and I use the Rec709 color mode that comes in Displaypilot since I don't have a tool to calibrate it. I use Benq's calibration. Should I choose Gamma 2.4 or Rec709-A?

[stefangjorgievski]

Hi Stefan. Thank you for the explanation because this is the struggle I’m going through since I bought my first MacBook Pro. I have two questions.
Do you have it checked “Use Mac Display Color Profiles for Viewers” in system preferences?
In export are you tagging the clips in REC.709-A gamma tag for addressing the gamma shift in different players and browsers?
Thank you in advance.

[andrewmulcaster]

Hey, thank you so much for this video. Very helpful in understanding Color space. Just to clarify my question in regard to my new setup. I have a Mac Studio paired with a BenQ P2705. When using REC 709 for Resolve, I am then also setting this to be my gamut on the BenQ and the Mac too. Is this right or I have missed something? Thanks again!

[omatron]

Thank you, you have cleared my headache on which display option to choose on my MAC, thumbs up 👍

[pedromarquez]

Hello, so I just calibrated my cheap lg monitor and I’m using it as a second monitor with my MacBook Pro. What settings do I need to change in davinci resolve? I was using the rec709A in the color management but now that I calibrated my monitor and my MacBook Pro I don’t know if I should keep it like that or if I have to move my settings to rec709 gamut 2.4

[annattw]

Hi Stefan, when using a BenQ monitor set to Rec709, is it still necessary to set the colour profile of that monitor on the Macbook's display settings to 709, instead of leaving it as the BenQ profile? Isn't this making it "double 709" if you know what I mean? Also, what is the brightness level on your BenQ monitor when grading 709 at 100 nits? Thanks 🙏

[hatem.tommy.lamine]

Great video!
quick question: If I'm editing and exporting on a windows pc, and then I'm planning to upload the video on youtube for everyone to see it, should the export be with REC 709 or REC 709-A?

[vivianvaldi]

Hello Stefan, are u sure the integrated monitor of DV is rec 709, because it's clear it can't be the timeline color space your working in.
So would it be the target rendering space by default ? Or could it even be the PC working space sRGB ?
I guess many people just throw their files on a sRGB gamma 2.2 rendering screen, while as u say, the DV internal monitor works in REC 709 gamma 2.4... what a mess.

[rabihghannam]

What if my monitor has a rec.709 factory option built in, and there is a rec.709 icc profile on the mac specificaly for this screen. Will they stack? Should i use either this or that and not both together? (I am using a viewsonic vp2768a)

[oscarabello]

"Use Mac color profiles for viewers" ON or OFF?

[akyhne]

Any monitor needs to be calibrated, to be color accurate for color critical work. It doesn't matter if it's an Apple or BenQ display.