01 / BEFORE THE CODE
Set the conditions before you run.
Choose the execution context first
Use Python 3.8+ and the configured Resolve Studio connection from S01. Keep the main file, resolve_api_timecode.py and resolve_api_connection.py together. The official module must come from your installed Resolve.
Exact rate and units
This helper supports 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60 and 24000/1001, 30000/1001, 48000/1001, 60000/1001. This is the example scope, not Resolve’s capability list. Select the rational rate explicitly; 29.97 is not silently rewritten as 30000/1001.
Keep the exercise bounded
Labels are limited to one timecode day, whole frames and explicit DF/NDF selection. No inferred midnight wrapping, negative durations, interlaced fields or audio subframes. Stop playback for application reads; use a test copy for seeking and do not change targets during the call.
Current Studio edition guidance and the installed scripting documentation take precedence over older console or Free-edition tutorials.[1][4][3]
02 / API CONTRACT
Which object. Which method. Which result.
GetStartTimecode()- Input
- No arguments.
- Returns
- Timeline start label.
- Check
- An empty result blocks the complete report.
GetSetting("timelineFrameRate")- Input
- The timeline FPS setting key.
- Returns
- Raw rate string.
- Check
- Never substitute project FPS.
GetStartFrame()- Input
- No arguments.
- Returns
- API origin coordinate.
- Check
- Kept independent of the parsed label.
validate_clock(state, clock)- Input
- Observation and explicitly selected exact rate.
- Returns
- No value on success; exception on conflict.
- Check
- A DF tag does not replace label validation.
Resolve method contracts are documented by Blackmagic; Python and author helpers are labelled separately. The defensive checks are our example design. A non-empty object is not proof of full API compatibility.[3]
03 / UNDERSTAND
The start label is neither the playhead nor a guessed setting key
The required operation is timeline.GetStartTimecode(), explicitly named in the README. The previous example first queried timelineStartTimecode through GetSetting and then tried another method. A plausible setting name is not evidence of a documented key in a particular build.
GetCurrentTimecode solves a different problem: it reads the playhead on a supported page. Moving the playhead should not change the origin label. GetStartFrame returns a frame coordinate rather than text. These results have separate names because they describe different properties.[3]
04 / UNDERSTAND
Reading should not depend on a successful conversion
With no options, the script prints start_timecode_raw, fps_raw, start_frame, end_frame and target IDs. It does not guess FPS or parse the label merely to produce a neat number. A nonstandard label outside our strict parser can still be useful diagnostic evidence if the API actually returned it.
Supplying --rate and --mode adds a separate interpretation phase. If parsing fails, the task stops; the observed API coordinate is not substituted as a fallback. Run the read-only report without interpretation options to inspect the raw values against your application version.
05 / UNDERSTAND
How 29.97 is checked against an explicitly chosen 30000/1001
An abbreviated FPS label omits the full rational timebase. The caller therefore explicitly selects --rate 30000/1001 first; the helper only checks compatibility with the observed 29.97 label or exact rational string. The report records rate_origin: explicit_user_selection_checked_against_label. This is not automatic recovery of an exact rate from truncated text.
If fps_raw contains a DF suffix, selecting NDF is rejected. Absence of that suffix does not prove NDF: the start label’s separator and valid numbers are also checked. A colon is never silently changed to a semicolon to make parsing succeed. For another notation in your build, establish its actual convention first.[9]
06 / UNDERSTAND
Offset zero must reproduce the original label
Set offset 0 and start 01:00:00:00 at 24 NDF in the calculator. The target label must reproduce the origin while API coordinate equals the independently supplied base. This checks the contract before applying it to a real report.
Next enter an invalid DF origin, 00:01:00;00 at 30000/1001. The error must occur before adding an offset. The calculator does not connect to the application, so editing an input here does not change Timeline Settings.
Whole-frame conversion: no rounding.
The base coordinate and start label are independent anchors, not values inferred from each other. This calculator supports one 24-hour timecode day, whole-frame labels and explicitly listed rates. It does not validate your project's settings or timeline bounds. Input is not sent or saved.
07 / UNDERSTAND
Changing the origin is not part of diagnosis
The README includes SetStartTimecode, but this example never calls it. If the origin is unexpected, first establish which sequence is open and which settings were intended. Automatically forcing 01:00:00:00 could invalidate earlier coordinates and external reports.
The read or interpreted report is not a backup. It contains IDs and technical parameters, not the project contents. Remove anything you do not want to disclose before publishing it; there is no automatic anonymization. Record Resolve, Python and OS versions alongside diagnostic observations.[3]
PYTHON / COMPLETE EXAMPLE
Read the code. Then run it deliberately.
Download timeline_start_timecode.py and resolve_api_timecode.py. For application reads or a seek, also download resolve_api_connection.py. The bundle contains all six examples, both helpers and RU/EN instructions. Pure converters never import the Blackmagic module; seconds conversion connects only with --timeline.
Download all examples + instructions (.zip) ↓"""Read the actual start label. Optional parsing uses an explicitly selected clock."""
import argparse
import json
from resolve_api_connection import connect
from resolve_api_timecode import Clock, read_clock, timecode_to_frames, validate_clock
def main():
p = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
p.add_argument("--rate")
p.add_argument("--mode", choices=("ndf", "df"))
a = p.parse_args()
if bool(a.rate) != bool(a.mode):
p.error("--rate and --mode must be supplied together")
state = read_clock(connect())
result = {"state": state, "operation": "read_only", "parsed": False}
if a.rate:
clock = Clock(a.rate, a.mode)
validate_clock(state, clock)
result.update({"parsed": True, "rate": str(clock.rate), "mode": clock.mode,
"frames_since_tc_zero": timecode_to_frames(state["start_timecode_raw"], clock),
"rate_origin": "explicit_user_selection_checked_against_label"})
# The parsed label's count is NOT substituted for the API's start_frame.
print(json.dumps(result, ensure_ascii=False, indent=2))
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
Timecode helper — exact arithmetic, origins and one guarded seek
Author implementation, not the Blackmagic SDK. DF/NDF label rules are separate from elapsed seconds. Clock accepts an explicit exact rate; raw FPS labels do not automatically select one. Only move_playhead with apply can call a setter, and only once.
"""S04 author helpers: exact timecode math and explicitly scoped Resolve reads.
Python 3.8+. Standard library only. Not a Blackmagic SDK, transaction or sandbox.
String timecode policy: HH:MM:SS:FF (NDF) / HH:MM:SS;FF (DF), within one 24h day.
Supported timebases: 24/25/30/48/50/60 and 24000/30000/48000/60000 over 1001.
DF is deliberately limited to 30000/1001 and 60000/1001. No silent rate aliases.
Only move_playhead(..., apply=True) calls a setter, once, after reviewed guards.
"""
from dataclasses import dataclass
from fractions import Fraction
import hashlib
import json
import re
from typing import Any, Dict
class ClockError(ValueError):
"""Input or observed state does not meet this example's contract."""
class OutcomeUnknown(RuntimeError):
"""A setter was dispatched but its result was not fully verified. Do not retry."""
def integer(value: Any, name: str) -> int:
# bool is a subclass of int; never accept it as a frame index.
if type(value) is not int:
raise ClockError(name + " must be an integer, not a float, bool or string")
return value
def exact_number(value: Any, name: str) -> Fraction:
if isinstance(value, Fraction):
return value
if type(value) is int:
return Fraction(value)
if not isinstance(value, str) or len(value) > 80:
raise ClockError(name + " must be exact decimal/rational text (not float)")
# Avoid scientific exponents/unbounded integers and locale-dependent commas.
if not re.fullmatch(r"[+-]?[0-9]{1,18}(?:\.[0-9]{1,18}|/[0-9]{1,18})?", value):
raise ClockError(name + " requires ASCII decimal or numerator/denominator text")
try:
return Fraction(value)
except (ValueError, ZeroDivisionError) as exc:
raise ClockError(name + " is invalid") from exc
SUPPORTED = {Fraction(x): x for x in (24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60)}
SUPPORTED.update({Fraction(x * 1000, 1001): x for x in (24, 30, 48, 60)})
@dataclass(frozen=True)
class Clock:
rate: Fraction
mode: str
def __post_init__(self):
rate = exact_number(self.rate, "rate")
object.__setattr__(self, "rate", rate)
if rate not in SUPPORTED:
raise ClockError("Unsupported/ambiguous rate. Use e.g. 24 or 30000/1001, not 29.97")
if self.mode not in ("ndf", "df"):
raise ClockError("mode must explicitly be ndf or df")
if self.mode == "df" and rate not in (Fraction(30000, 1001), Fraction(60000, 1001)):
raise ClockError("DF example supports only 30000/1001 and 60000/1001")
@property
def nominal(self) -> int:
return SUPPORTED[self.rate]
@property
def drop(self) -> int:
return self.nominal // 15 if self.mode == "df" else 0
@property
def frames_per_day(self) -> int:
return self.nominal * 86400 - self.drop * (1440 - 144)
def frames_to_timecode(frames: int, clock: Clock) -> str:
"""Actual whole frames since TC zero -> label. No wrapping or rounding."""
frames = integer(frames, "frames")
if not 0 <= frames < clock.frames_per_day:
raise ClockError("Frame count must be within one timecode day; no negative/wrap")
labelled = frames
if clock.drop:
# Independent implementation of the ten-minute/minute numbering rule.
per_ten = clock.nominal * 600 - clock.drop * 9
per_short_minute = clock.nominal * 60 - clock.drop
tens, rest = divmod(frames, per_ten)
skipped_minutes = max(0, (rest - clock.drop) // per_short_minute)
labelled += clock.drop * (tens * 9 + skipped_minutes)
seconds, ff = divmod(labelled, clock.nominal)
hours, seconds = divmod(seconds, 3600)
minutes, seconds = divmod(seconds, 60)
separator = ";" if clock.mode == "df" else ":"
return "{:02d}:{:02d}:{:02d}{}{:02d}".format(hours, minutes, seconds, separator, ff)
def timecode_to_frames(timecode: str, clock: Clock) -> int:
"""Label -> actual whole frames since TC zero. Invalid labels never become 0."""
if not isinstance(timecode, str):
raise ClockError("timecode must be text")
match = re.fullmatch(r"([0-9]{2}):([0-9]{2}):([0-9]{2})([:;])([0-9]{2})", timecode)
if not match:
raise ClockError("Expected HH:MM:SS:FF (NDF) or HH:MM:SS;FF (DF)")
h, m, s, sep, f = match.groups()
h, m, s, f = map(int, (h, m, s, f))
if h >= 24 or m >= 60 or s >= 60 or f >= clock.nominal:
raise ClockError("Timecode field outside this clock's range")
if sep != (";" if clock.mode == "df" else ":"):
raise ClockError("Timecode separator disagrees with explicit DF/NDF mode")
if clock.drop and m % 10 != 0 and s == 0 and f < clock.drop:
raise ClockError("This label is skipped by drop-frame numbering")
minutes = h * 60 + m
count = (h * 3600 + m * 60 + s) * clock.nominal + f
return count - clock.drop * (minutes - minutes // 10)
def offset_to_timecode(offset: int, start_timecode: str, clock: Clock) -> str:
offset = integer(offset, "offset")
if offset < 0:
raise ClockError("Negative offsets are outside this tutorial's scope")
return frames_to_timecode(timecode_to_frames(start_timecode, clock) + offset, clock)
def timecode_to_offset(timecode: str, start_timecode: str, clock: Clock) -> int:
offset = timecode_to_frames(timecode, clock) - timecode_to_frames(start_timecode, clock)
if offset < 0:
raise ClockError("Timecode precedes start; no implicit midnight wrap")
return offset
def seconds_to_frames(seconds: Any, clock: Clock, rounding: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""Duration -> offset, with exact arithmetic and an explicit rounding policy."""
value = exact_number(seconds, "seconds")
if value < 0:
raise ClockError("Negative durations are rejected, not clamped to zero")
exact = value * clock.rate
floor = exact.numerator // exact.denominator
if rounding == "exact":
if exact.denominator != 1:
raise ClockError("Duration is not a whole frame; choose a rounding policy")
result = floor
elif rounding == "floor":
result = floor
elif rounding == "ceil":
result = floor + (exact.denominator != 1)
elif rounding == "nearest":
# Documented half-up for non-negative durations, not Python's ties-to-even.
result = floor + ((exact - floor) >= Fraction(1, 2))
else:
raise ClockError("rounding must be exact, floor, ceil or nearest")
return {"rate": str(clock.rate), "seconds_exact": str(value), "frames_exact": str(exact),
"offset_frames": result, "rounding": rounding,
"error_seconds_exact": str(Fraction(result, 1) / clock.rate - value)}
def call(obj: Any, method: str, *args: Any) -> Any:
try:
fn = getattr(obj, method, None)
if not callable(fn):
raise ClockError(method + " is not callable")
return fn(*args)
except ClockError:
raise
except Exception as exc:
raise ClockError(method + " failed; original exception retained") from exc
def text(value: Any, field: str) -> str:
if not isinstance(value, str) or not value.strip():
raise ClockError(field + " must be non-empty text")
return value
def context(resolve):
manager = call(resolve, "GetProjectManager")
project = call(manager, "GetCurrentProject")
if project is None:
raise ClockError("No open project")
timeline = call(project, "GetCurrentTimeline")
if timeline is None:
raise ClockError("No active timeline")
identity = {"project_id": text(call(project, "GetUniqueId"), "project ID"),
"timeline_id": text(call(timeline, "GetUniqueId"), "timeline ID")}
return project, timeline, identity
def observation(resolve, include_playhead=False):
_, timeline, identity = context(resolve)
result = dict(identity)
result.update({"start_frame": integer(call(timeline, "GetStartFrame"), "start_frame"),
"end_frame": integer(call(timeline, "GetEndFrame"), "end_frame"),
"start_timecode_raw": text(call(timeline, "GetStartTimecode"), "start timecode"),
"fps_raw": text(call(timeline, "GetSetting", "timelineFrameRate"), "timeline FPS")})
if include_playhead:
page = call(resolve, "GetCurrentPage")
if page not in ("cut", "edit", "color", "fairlight", "deliver"):
raise ClockError("Open Cut/Edit/Color/Fairlight/Deliver manually; no page switch is made")
result["page"] = page
result["current_timecode_raw"] = text(call(timeline, "GetCurrentTimecode"), "current timecode")
_, _, after = context(resolve)
if identity != after:
raise ClockError("Active target changed while reading")
return result
def read_clock(resolve, include_playhead=False):
"""Two matching observations, NOT an atomic snapshot or a process timeout."""
a = observation(resolve, include_playhead)
b = observation(resolve, include_playhead)
if a != b:
raise ClockError("Clock observations differ; stop playback/editing and inspect")
return dict(a, observation_policy="two_matching_reads_not_atomic")
# These labels are accepted only AFTER the caller explicitly selects the exact rate.
# The report retains the raw label and marks that rate origin as user-declared.
DISPLAY_LABELS = {Fraction(24000, 1001): "23.976", Fraction(30000, 1001): "29.97",
Fraction(48000, 1001): "47.952", Fraction(60000, 1001): "59.94"}
def validate_clock(state, clock: Clock):
raw = state["fps_raw"].strip()
has_df = raw.upper().endswith(" DF")
numeric = raw[:-3].strip() if has_df else raw
actual = exact_number(numeric, "observed FPS label")
alias = DISPLAY_LABELS.get(clock.rate)
if actual != clock.rate and (alias is None or actual != Fraction(alias)):
raise ClockError("Explicit rate conflicts with the observed timeline FPS label")
if has_df and clock.mode != "df":
raise ClockError("Observed FPS label says DF but NDF was requested")
# Absence of DF in the FPS string does not itself prove NDF; inspect start label.
timecode_to_frames(state["start_timecode_raw"], clock)
if "current_timecode_raw" in state:
timecode_to_frames(state["current_timecode_raw"], clock)
def seconds_at_timeline(resolve, seconds, rate, mode, rounding):
clock = Clock(rate, mode)
state = read_clock(resolve)
validate_clock(state, clock)
result = seconds_to_frames(seconds, clock, rounding)
result.update({"state": state, "rate_origin": "explicit_user_selection_checked_against_label",
"absolute_timeline_frame": state["start_frame"] + result["offset_frames"],
"timecode": offset_to_timecode(result["offset_frames"], state["start_timecode_raw"], clock),
"inside_conservative_bounds": state["start_frame"] + result["offset_frames"] < state["end_frame"],
"operation": "calculation_only_no_seek_or_insert"})
return result
def make_plan(state, offset, clock):
validate_clock(state, clock)
offset = integer(offset, "offset")
absolute = state["start_frame"] + offset
if offset < 0 or not state["start_frame"] <= absolute < state["end_frame"]:
raise ClockError("Target outside conservative [start, end) guard; end endpoint is excluded")
target_tc = offset_to_timecode(offset, state["start_timecode_raw"], clock)
plan = {"state": state, "offset_frames": offset, "absolute_timeline_frame": absolute,
"target_timecode": target_tc, "rate": str(clock.rate), "mode": clock.mode,
"rate_origin": "explicit_user_selection_checked_against_label"}
payload = json.dumps(plan, sort_keys=True, ensure_ascii=True, separators=(",", ":"))
plan["plan_digest"] = hashlib.sha256(payload.encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()
return plan
def move_playhead(resolve, offset, rate, mode, apply=False, expected_project_id=None,
expected_timeline_id=None, expected_plan_digest=None):
"""Plan only unless explicit guards match. Setter dispatched at most once."""
if type(apply) is not bool:
raise ClockError("apply must be bool")
clock = Clock(rate, mode)
before = read_clock(resolve, include_playhead=True)
plan = make_plan(before, offset, clock)
if not apply:
return dict(plan, status="plan_only", setter_called=False)
if (not expected_project_id or not expected_timeline_id or not expected_plan_digest or
expected_project_id != before["project_id"] or expected_timeline_id != before["timeline_id"] or
expected_plan_digest != plan["plan_digest"]):
raise ClockError("--apply requires matching reviewed project, timeline and plan digest")
if read_clock(resolve, include_playhead=True) != before:
raise ClockError("Target or playhead changed since the plan; no setter called")
_, timeline, identity = context(resolve)
if any(identity[k] != before[k] for k in identity):
raise ClockError("Target changed before dispatch")
if before["current_timecode_raw"] == plan["target_timecode"]:
return dict(plan, status="already_at_target", setter_called=False)
try:
# The only setter in this file. No fallback, polling, save, playback or retry.
accepted = call(timeline, "SetCurrentTimecode", plan["target_timecode"])
after = read_clock(resolve, include_playhead=True)
static_before = {k: v for k, v in before.items() if k != "current_timecode_raw"}
static_after = {k: v for k, v in after.items() if k != "current_timecode_raw"}
if accepted is not True or static_before != static_after:
raise ClockError("Setter not confirmed or target/clock changed")
if after["current_timecode_raw"] != plan["target_timecode"]:
raise ClockError("Read-back does not match requested timecode exactly")
except Exception as exc:
raise OutcomeUnknown("Playhead setter dispatched; inspect Resolve before any retry") from exc
return dict(plan, status="read_back_matched_check_ui", setter_called=True, after=after,
ui_verified=False)
Shared connection helper — inspect and download
This file only locates and loads the installed bridge. Native imports can write Python bytecode caches and can block; this is not a sandbox or a timeout mechanism. Use a trusted local installation.
"""Load the installed Blackmagic module; do not install a similarly named package.
This helper uses standard desktop installation paths or RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API.
It does not enable scripting, start Resolve, open projects or retry API calls.
Validate Python/native-library compatibility against your installed README.txt.
"""
from __future__ import annotations
import importlib.util
import os
from pathlib import Path
import struct
import sys
class ResolveConnectionError(RuntimeError):
"""An explicit environment, module, or application-connection failure."""
def scripting_root() -> Path:
configured = os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API")
if configured is not None:
if not configured.strip() or configured != configured.strip():
raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API is empty or has outer whitespace")
if configured.startswith(('"', "'")) or configured.endswith(('"', "'")):
raise ResolveConnectionError("Do not store literal outer quotes in RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API")
root = Path(os.path.expandvars(configured)).expanduser()
elif sys.platform == "win32":
root = Path(os.environ.get("PROGRAMDATA", r"C:\ProgramData")) / "Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Support/Developer/Scripting"
elif sys.platform == "darwin":
root = Path("/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting")
elif sys.platform.startswith("linux"):
root = Path("/opt/resolve/Developer/Scripting")
else:
raise ResolveConnectionError("Set RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API for this platform/installation")
if not root.is_absolute():
raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API must be an absolute Scripting directory")
return root
def module_file() -> Path:
# RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API points to Scripting, not its Modules subdirectory.
return scripting_root() / "Modules" / "DaVinciResolveScript.py"
def load_resolve_module():
if struct.calcsize("P") * 8 != 64:
raise ResolveConnectionError("Use a compatible 64-bit Python interpreter")
source = module_file()
if not source.is_file():
raise ResolveConnectionError("Official DaVinciResolveScript.py not found at: " + str(source))
configured_lib = os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB")
if configured_lib is not None:
lib = Path(os.path.expandvars(configured_lib)).expanduser()
if not lib.is_absolute() or not lib.is_file():
raise ResolveConnectionError("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_LIB must name the installed native library file")
name = "DaVinciResolveScript"
spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(name, source)
if spec is None or spec.loader is None:
raise ResolveConnectionError("Cannot create a loader for the official module")
previous = sys.modules.get(name)
module = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
sys.modules[name] = module
try:
spec.loader.exec_module(module)
# Blackmagic's wrapper can replace its sys.modules entry with a native module.
loaded = sys.modules[name]
if not callable(getattr(loaded, "scriptapp", None)):
raise ResolveConnectionError("Loaded module does not expose scriptapp")
return loaded
except Exception as exc:
if previous is None:
sys.modules.pop(name, None)
else:
sys.modules[name] = previous
raise ResolveConnectionError("Official module was found, but loading it failed") from exc
def connect():
module = load_resolve_module()
try:
resolve = module.scriptapp("Resolve")
except Exception as exc:
raise ResolveConnectionError("scriptapp failed; inspect the original exception") from exc
if not resolve:
raise ResolveConnectionError("No Resolve object: check running Studio, Local access and Python environment")
return resolve
def project_manager(resolve):
manager = resolve.GetProjectManager()
if not manager:
raise ResolveConnectionError("Resolve connected, but Project Manager is unavailable")
return manager
Launch commands
Read the original values
python timeline_start_timecode.pyThis is the default run; it does not parse the label.
Separately parse 24 NDF
python timeline_start_timecode.py --rate 24 --mode ndfOnly for a matching 24 NDF target; another observed rate blocks parsing.
What the code does
Validate options
Parsing is enabled only with both --rate and --mode. Otherwise the run is read-only.
Read both anchors
GetStartTimecode and GetStartFrame are read independently and preserved in state.
Validate Clock
The explicit exact rate is checked against FPS text; DF/NDF follows the declared contract.
Add the derived field
frames_since_tc_zero is added separately and never replaces start_frame.
All helper conversions are author functions, not Blackmagic methods. A successful calculation does not validate project settings, frame rate or a call in your installed Resolve.
An error never reuses a previous result. Native calls have no added timeout; two matching reads are not an atomic snapshot and do not lock the interface.
DEBUG / OBSERVATION FIRST
An error is a starting point, not a diagnosis.
start timecode must be non-empty text
Possible reasonGetStartTimecode returned None or empty text.
Next checkCheck the active object and API; never substitute 00:00:00:00.
--rate and --mode together
Possible reasonOnly one interpretation option was provided.
Next checkSupply both or omit both for a raw read.
Explicit rate conflicts
Possible reasonThe selected rate conflicts with timeline FPS text.
Next checkCheck Timeline Settings; do not substitute project FPS.
Parsed TC count differs from start_frame
Possible reasonTwo different anchors or an incorrect timebase are being compared.
Next checkDo not auto-correct; retain both values and inspect the origin.
PRACTICE / YOUR OWN EVIDENCE
Distinguish the origin label from the playhead
- Read the origin report without interpretation.
- Move the playhead manually and read again.
- On a matching target, add --rate and --mode; compare added fields with the original observation.
The origin is independent of the playhead, raw fields remain intact, and an incompatible Clock blocks interpretation.
This is a checklist for your test, not a report of a test already performed on the website.
FAQ
Questions that matter in practice.
Can I read the origin without choosing FPS?
Yes. GetStartTimecode returns the string itself. An exact rate is needed only for optional interpretation.[3]
Does a one-hour start mean an hour of empty video?
No. It labels the origin; it does not insert that much empty video. A clip at the sequence start still has offset zero even when that start is labelled 01:00:00:00.
Can I enable DF by replacing the colon?
No. Numbering mode must match settings and rate, not just one character. Changing the separator does not remove skipped DF labels or change the project configuration.
Does the example change the start label?
No. It deliberately never calls SetStartTimecode. Changing the origin requires a separate task and impact checks.
SOURCES / VERSION BOUNDARIES
Sources, not implied certification.
The source review, offline Python tests and UI checks are different kinds of evidence. None establishes that every example works with every Studio build, operating system or Python version. The date below is the editorial review date, not a live-test certificate.
- Blackmagic Design — DaVinci Resolve Studio 21.1 release notes
8 September 2026. The release announcement assigns Python scripting to Studio. Edition requirements, not a test report for our examples.
- Blackmagic Design — Support Center
Release catalogue checked on 5 October 2026: 21.1.1 is listed. The latest release is not the minimum version of every method.
- Blackmagic Scripting README — snapshot 24 July 2026 (Resolve 21.0.4)
Public mirror of Blackmagic’s original README, maintained by X-Raym. Used for basic signatures; not official hosting and not a 21.1.1 README. Locate your installed Developer/Scripting/README.txt through Resolve’s Help/Documentation menu; exact menu nesting can vary.
- Blackmagic Design — Scripting and Automation
Official description of Studio Python/Lua scripting and integrations. Do not extend Studio capabilities to Free without checking the exact release.
- Python — fractions.Fraction
Exact representation of numeric text. A decimal 23.976 label does not establish a 24000/1001 source timebase; the raw string is retained.