DaVinci Resolve Timeline Markers to Subtitles Workflow Guide

Using Timeline Markers for Closed Captions in DaVinci Resolve

During video editing and sound design, editors frequently drop timeline markers to annotate speaker dialogue, note scene changes, and highlight audio cues. However, DaVinci Resolve does not offer a native one-click button to convert those timeline markers directly into subtitle tracks on the timeline.

By exporting timeline markers as an Edit Decision List (EDL) file, editors can convert all marker comments into standard SubRip (.srt) or WebVTT (.vtt) files in seconds, eliminating manual transcript re-typing.

Step 1: Exporting Markers to EDL from DaVinci Resolve

1. Open your active project in DaVinci Resolve and switch to the Edit page.
2. Ensure the timeline you wish to export is currently selected in the viewer.
3. From the top menu bar, select Timeline > Export > Timeline Markers to EDL.
4. Choose your target folder and save the file with the .edl extension.

Step 2: Correcting the 01:00:00:00 Broadcast Start Offset

Professional broadcast timelines often begin at timecode 01:00:00:00 (one hour) rather than 00:00:00:00. When an EDL containing a 1-hour start timecode is converted into subtitles without adjustment, the resulting captions appear 60 minutes after the video begins.

SubPreflight's Timeline Markers Converter features an automatic Strip 01:00:00:00 broadcast start offset toggle. It recalculates the SMPTE timecodes into zero-referenced hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds for flawless video synchronization.

Step 3: Duration Markers vs Single-Point Markers

DaVinci Resolve supports two types of timeline markers:

• Duration Markers: Created by holding Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while dragging the marker icon across the timeline ruler. The resulting EDL carries both in and out timestamps, preserving the exact display duration of spoken dialogue.
• Single-Point Markers: Created by pressing M at the cursor position. When single-point markers are exported, our converter automatically applies a standard 2.0-second display duration so every caption has comfortable reading time.

Step 4: Importing Subtitles Back into DaVinci Markers

If you receive a translated or revised subtitle file (.srt) from a client, you can also convert it into DaVinci markers for editorial review:

1. Drop your .srt file into the Timeline Markers Converter.
2. Select DaVinci Resolve Marker EDL (.edl) as the output format.
3. In DaVinci Resolve, select Timeline > Import > Timeline Markers from EDL.
4. Blue dialogue markers will populate across your timeline ruler, perfectly aligned with the audio speech waveform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I export timeline markers from DaVinci Resolve?

In DaVinci Resolve, navigate to the Edit page. Open the top application menu and choose Timeline > Export > Timeline Markers to EDL. Choose your destination directory to save a .edl marker list.

Why do my exported Resolve markers start at 01:00:00:00 instead of 00:00:00:00?

Broadcast standards historically begin master program timecode at 1 hour (01:00:00:00) to allow slate countdowns and color bars prior to program start. SubPreflight automatically detects 1-hour sequence offsets and shifts all cue timestamps back to zero.

Can I convert an existing SRT file into DaVinci Resolve markers?

Yes. Drop your .srt file into our Timeline Markers Converter and choose Export EDL. In DaVinci Resolve, choose Timeline > Import > Timeline Markers from EDL to place all dialogue cues directly onto your timeline ruler.

Do marker duration ranges carry over into subtitle display times?

Yes. If you set in and out durations on your timeline markers (by holding Option/Alt while dragging marker edges), the EDL includes the exact duration. Single-point markers without durations default to standard 2-second subtitle display times.