This article explains how to set up DaVinci Resolve as a streaming source for Remoto Playback. Template projects with stereo through 7.1 audio tracks are available for download HERE to help with setup and troubleshooting. Test audio files are also provided (Stereo, 5.1 Film/SMPTE, 7.1 Film/SMPTE, and 9.1.6).

Known Limitations:
DaVinci Resolve can stream both audio and video to Remoto Playback. However, DaVinci Resolve is limited to 7.1 surround sound fields and smaller, as it only outputs up to 8 audio channels.(Remoto Playback supports streaming up to 16 channels.)

Unfortunately, there is currently no way to sync timecoded markers between DaVinci Resolve and Remoto Playback, as Resolve cannot generate MIDI timecode (MTC) for Remoto to read. We are exploring alternatives to support this feature..

Note that Resolve and any other third party programs mentioned in this guide must be open BEFORE Remoto Playback is opened.

This article contains 4 chapters:

1. How to Capture Audio and Video using Blackmagic Hardware
2. How to Capture Audio using a Virtual Audio Device  
3. How to Capture Video Using Screen Capture
4. How to Capture Video Using Lockstep + VidPlayMTC

How to Capture Audio and Video Using Blackmagic Hardware 
 

DaVinci Resolve Setup
 

Audio and Video

This setup will vary depending on your Blackmagic hardware and will require the use of a Blackmagic Design device that features multiple SDI inputs and outputs. The SDI video and audio output from the device is connected to secondary video and audio inputs,  looping the SDI signal back to the source machine running Remoto for capture.

Remoto Playback will detect and allow streaming of any Blackmagic audio/video sources connected to the Remoto machine at the operating system level. No additional configuration is required within DaVinci Resolve itself.

Remoto Playback Setup
 

Step 1) Video Settings

Select “Video Input Type: Blackmagic SDI” as the video source in Session Settings.

This reveals additional settings specific to Blackmagic that must be configured to mirror the Blackmagic Hardware setup.

Step 2) Audio Settings:

When configuring the audio source for the stream in Session Settings, select Audio Input Type: Blackmagic SDI.  The Timecode Format setting here should be set to bmdTimecodeRP188Any and the Video Format to bmdFormat8BitYUV.

Note: Blackmagic will not work as a video source unless the audio input is also set to Blackmagic.

Select the Blackmagic hardware device being used, and the desired channel layout.

Once the stream is started in Remoto, a prompt to configure Preferences will appear, enabling the configuration of a local monitoring destination for the stream audio.

How to Capture Audio using a Virtual Audio Device  

If Blackmagic hardware is not being used, the best way to send audio to Remoto from DaVinci Resolve is to split the monitor feed through a virtual audio device such as the free one from BlackHole Audio.

If the monitor bus is set up in DaVinci Resolve, there is no need to modify it. However, the audio  must be split to another destination using a virtual audio device such as BlackHole Audio so it can be received by Remoto.

DaVinci Resolve Set Up

Step 1) Configure DaVinci Resolve Preferences

1. In Resolve Video and Audio I/O Preferences, configure an unused monitor set to route to BlackHole Audio (or another virtual audio device). Assign this additional monitor set a recognizable name (e.g. "RP 7.1 FILM").
2. Select the desired format and output channels based on the project.

This configuration allows Resolve's existing monitor output to stay intact while also routing audio to Remoto via the virtual audio device for streaming.

Step 2) Create a bus for Remoto Playback

In the Fairlight menu, click "Bus Format" then "Add Bus" in the bottom left. Name the new bus for Remoto Playback (e.g. "RP 7.1 FILM" bus).

Select the desired format based on the project's channel configuration. This bus will send the audio stream to Remoto.

Step 3) Assign tracks to Remoto bus

In the Fairlight mixer view, add the Remoto bus to each audio track's bus send by clicking the "+" button in the bus sends section of each track and selecting the Remoto bus (e.g. "RP 7.1 FILM" bus) created earlier.

The tracks are now routed to Remoto to be streamed.

Step 4) Assign bus output to Remoto Monitor set

Ensure that the bus output is feeding the monitor set created to feed Remoto:

Remoto Playback Setup
 

Audio Settings

In Remoto Playback's Audio Session Settings, select “Virtual Audio Device” as the Audio Input Type, and select “BlackHole Audio” (or any other virtual audio device being used) as the “Audio Device”, matching the monitor output device and format previously set in DaVinci Resolve. Ensure it corresponds to the virtual audio device and channel width configured in Resolve.

Once the stream is started in Remoto, a prompt to configure Preferences will appear, enabling the configuration of a local monitoring destination for the stream audio.

How to Capture Video Using Screen Capture

There is no straightforward way to stream DaVinci Resolve's video via the operating system. This is a limitation of Resolve, as Resolve's video window disappears when another app is in focus. As a result, it is not possible to admit guests, enter chat messages, or interact with other Remoto Playback features during a session without interrupting the stream.

For these reasons, using a hardware device configured to loop its SDI output into its input is generally recommended over screen capture streaming when using DaVinci Resolve as a video source in Remoto Playback. If not using hardware, screen capture for video can still be used–with caveats.

DaVinci Resolve Setup
 

Video

The best way to set up DaVinci Resolve video for screen capture is to open a new Finder window and size it to cover the area that the Resolve playback window occupies. The Finder window can now act as a "guide" to set the screen capture area in Remoto Playback. This bypasses the  issue caused by the Resolve video playback window disappearing while configuring the Remoto screen capture area to be streamed, since the Finder window will remain visible at all times.

Remoto Playback Setup

In Remoto Playback’s Video Session Settings, select "Screen Capture" as the Video Input type. Then select the area of of the screen that contains the Finder window previously set as a guide for the Resolve video playback window. 

While Resolve appears as an option if "Application" is configured as the input, selecting it would stream the entire Resolve window rather than the desired video area. Selecting screen capture resolves this issue.

How to Capture Davinci Resolve Without Hardware, Using Lockstep + VidPlayMTC
 

We recommend this simplified configuration using free third party programs to stream DaVinci Resolve video into Remoto Playback, while avoiding Resolve's “disappearing window” issue:

1. Generate LTC from DaVinci Resolve
2. Receive LTC in Lockstep which converts it to MTC
3. Load the video file into VidPlayMTC, which receives MTC from Lockstep
4. Configure VidPlayMTC as the streaming video source in Remoto Playback
    

This configuration ensures the video remains in sync with DaVinci Resolve by using Lockstep to transmit timing data between the programs, while VidPlayMTC provides a stable display window from which to capture the video stream.
 

DaVinci Resolve Setup

1. In the DaVinci Resolve Fairlight menu, access Remote Control Settings and ensure SMPTE Timecode is toggled ON. Set the offset  to zero or to match the start time of the video.

2. In the DaVinci Resolve Fairlight menu, select Patch Input/Output. Set the Source tab to System Generator and patch Timecode to an unused channel on the virtual audio device (e.g. BlackHole 16ch).

Lockstep Setup

1. Set the LTC Input to the channel receiving LTC from DaVinci Resolve (e.g. BlackHole 16ch)
2. Set the MTC Output to “Lockstep (virtual output)”

VidPlayerMTC Setup

1. Open VidPlayerMTC
2. Open the source video file
3. In the Configure menu, click MIDI In
4. Select "Lockstep" as the MIDI device
    

There is no need to adjust the sync offset or MIDI lock fixed tempo settings; they should already be set correctly by default.

Remoto Playback Setup

Video Settings

In Remoto Playback’s Video Session Settings, select "Application" as the input type, then select “VidPlayMTC” as the Streaming Video Source.