DaVinci Resolve APIIntermediateMedia Pool

How to Read Source Properties with MediaPoolItem.GetClipProperty

Connect TimelineItem to MediaPoolItem and read file path, resolution, FPS, and codec metadata

Use TimelineItem.GetMediaPoolItem() and MediaPoolItem.GetClipProperty() to inspect the source media behind clips on the Timeline.

API

Resolve Scripting API

Language

Python

Resolve

19–20+

Requires

Running Resolve

Syntax

result = api_method()

Parameters

• The relevant arguments are shown in the complete working example below. Validate paths, object types, and required project state before calling the API method.

Returns

Always validate the returned object, list, identifier, or boolean before continuing to the next automation step.

Complete working Python exampleuse it as a starting point for your own script

import os
import sys
from pathlib import Path


def import_resolve_module():
    try:
        import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr
        return dvr
    except ImportError:
        search_paths = [
            os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API", ""),
            os.environ.get("RESOLVE_MODULES", ""),
            r"C:\\ProgramData\\Blackmagic Design\\DaVinci Resolve\\Support\\Developer\\Scripting\\Modules",
            "/opt/resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            "/opt/BlackmagicDesign/DaVinciResolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            "/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            str(Path.home() / "Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules"),
        ]
        for path in search_paths:
            if path and os.path.isdir(path) and path not in sys.path:
                sys.path.append(path)
        import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr
        return dvr


def safe_call(obj, name, *args, **kwargs):
    try:
        fn = getattr(obj, name, None)
        if callable(fn):
            return fn(*args, **kwargs)
    except Exception:
        return None
    return None


def get_project_and_timeline():
    dvr = import_resolve_module()
    resolve = dvr.scriptapp("Resolve")
    if not resolve:
        raise RuntimeError("DaVinci Resolve API is unavailable")

    project_manager = resolve.GetProjectManager()
    project = project_manager.GetCurrentProject() if project_manager else None
    if not project:
        raise RuntimeError("No DaVinci Resolve project is open")

    timeline = project.GetCurrentTimeline()
    if not timeline:
        raise RuntimeError("No active Timeline")

    return resolve, project, timeline


def collect_media_pool_properties(timeline) -> list[dict]:
    rows = []
    for media_type in ("video", "audio"):
        track_count = int(safe_call(timeline, "GetTrackCount", media_type) or 0)
        for track_index in range(1, track_count + 1):
            for item in safe_call(timeline, "GetItemListInTrack", media_type, track_index) or []:
                media_pool_item = safe_call(item, "GetMediaPoolItem")
                props = safe_call(media_pool_item, "GetClipProperty") or {}
                rows.append({
                    "timeline_name": safe_call(item, "GetName") or "Untitled",
                    "track": f"{media_type}:{track_index}",
                    "file_path": props.get("File Path") or props.get("FilePath") or "",
                    "resolution": props.get("Resolution") or props.get("Video Resolution") or "",
                    "fps": props.get("FPS") or props.get("Frame Rate") or "",
                    "codec": props.get("Codec") or props.get("Video Codec") or "",
                })
    return rows


resolve, project, timeline = get_project_and_timeline()
for row in collect_media_pool_properties(timeline)[:20]:
    print(row)

Guide

What the example collects

The script walks Timeline items, gets the associated MediaPoolItem, and reads the dictionary returned by GetClipProperty(). It extracts commonly useful values such as file path, source resolution, frame rate, and codec.

Why source properties live on MediaPoolItem

TimelineItem represents an instance placed on a Timeline: its position, duration, and editing context. Source-media properties belong to the Media Pool object, so file-level metadata is normally reached through GetMediaPoolItem() first.

Why several property keys are checked

Property labels can differ between Resolve versions, media types, and environments. The example therefore checks alternatives such as File Path/FilePath and Resolution/Video Resolution instead of assuming one spelling is universal.

How the example works

Connect to Resolve

Establish a Resolve Scripting API connection and stop early if the application object is unavailable.

Validate the current context

Check the active project, Timeline, Media Pool, source paths, or Render Queue state required by this specific operation.

Run the core API operation

Execute the operation demonstrated in this guide: how to read source properties with mediapoolitem.getclipproperty.

Validate the result

Check the returned value before the workflow continues. Resolve methods often signal an unavailable object or failed operation with None, False, or an empty result.

Resolve API notes

Generators, titles, compound clips, and other synthetic items may not expose a normal source file path.
GetClipProperty() without a property name typically returns a dictionary of available clip properties.
If you know the exact property key, you can request a specific value such as GetClipProperty("Resolution").
Serialize the collected data to JSON when you need a repeatable project audit.

Common errors

Resolve API is unavailable

Reason: Resolve is closed or Python cannot import/use DaVinciResolveScript.

Fix: Start Resolve and verify the Developer/Scripting/Modules path from the same Python interpreter used by the script.

The method returns None or False

Reason: A required project, Timeline, clip, preset, path, or application state is missing.

Fix: Validate each input and add explicit result checks after important Resolve API calls.

The script only works on one workstation

Reason: Paths or environment assumptions are hard-coded for a single operating system or machine.

Fix: Move paths into configuration and support the required Windows, Linux, and macOS locations explicitly.

Next step

Continue only after the current operation has returned the expected Resolve object or result.

Related API guides

Timeline