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.
GetCurrentPage()- Input
- No arguments.
- Returns
- Current application page.
- Check
- Allow cut/edit/color/fairlight/deliver; never switch pages.
GetCurrentTimecode()- Input
- No arguments.
- Returns
- Current playhead label.
- Check
- Read before and after; not the start label.
SetCurrentTimecode(timecode)- Input
- Complete target label anchored to the start.
- Returns
- Bool.
- Check
- Require a matching read-back in addition to True.
GetStartFrame() / GetEndFrame()- Input
- No arguments.
- Returns
- API start and end coordinates.
- Check
- The example conservatively excludes the end endpoint.
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
Use the documented seek method without guessing a substitute
GetCurrentTimecode and SetCurrentTimecode belong to Timeline. The README names Cut, Edit, Color, Fairlight and Deliver. The example checks GetCurrentPage and asks you to open a supported page manually. It never changes pages for you or starts playback.
The old code suppressed a SetCurrentTimecode error and tried SetCurrentFrame. The reviewed Timeline README does not declare that fallback method. The replacement preserves the first failure and dispatches no further modifying operation. An attribute on a dynamic object alone does not establish a supported method contract.[3]
04 / UNDERSTAND
The plan binds project, timeline, clock and initial playhead
Save a test project, stop playback and run without --apply. The report includes project/timeline IDs, raw FPS and start label, API start/end frames, current label and target. plan_digest is computed from this plan, not taken from a sample string in the article.
Execution requires both IDs and the digest from the reviewed report. Changing timeline, start, FPS or current playhead invalidates the previous plan. Obtain a fresh plan before proceeding. The digest detects observed state changes; it is not user authorization, a collaboration lock or a transaction.
05 / UNDERSTAND
Anchor the offset to the label and check bounds separately
With offset 240, start 01:00:00:00 and 24 NDF, the requested label is 01:00:10:00. The absolute coordinate is independently computed as GetStartFrame + 240. The exact rate is checked against the observed FPS text, but a short 29.97 label is accepted only after the caller explicitly selects 30000/1001; the plan records that provenance.
The tutorial setter allows start_frame ≤ target < end_frame. The endpoint is deliberately excluded: GetEndFrame’s short description is not used to infer a universal inclusive/exclusive convention for other methods. An empty or too-short timeline is rejected. This is a conservative example boundary, not every navigation capability of Resolve.[3]
06 / UNDERSTAND
Calculate the label before connecting
The local calculator lets you inspect offsets, an independent base and the start label. It never runs Resolve commands; its data is not a plan observed from your application. A real seek requires the separate report produced by the Python example.
Try 24 NDF starting at 01:00:00:00, then a DF minute boundary. Changing only base should change the API coordinate, whereas changing start_timecode should change target TC. This exposes double-added origins before dispatching a setter.
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
True, False, exceptions and mismatched read-back
After the setter, two observations check the original target and requested label. True with a different position is not a success. False, a setter exception or a failed subsequent read produces OutcomeUnknown: the script does not assume that the interface necessarily stayed unchanged.
Inspect the playhead in Resolve and read state separately before deciding what happened. The example never retries, restores the old position or saves the project. Even successful read-back leaves ui_verified: false: it did not inspect the Viewer image. A race window remains between the last check and dispatch; do not edit concurrently.
PYTHON / COMPLETE EXAMPLE
Read the code. Then run it deliberately.
Download set_playhead.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) ↓"""Plan one playhead move. --apply needs the reviewed project/timeline IDs and digest."""
import argparse
import json
from resolve_api_connection import connect
from resolve_api_timecode import move_playhead
def main():
p = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
p.add_argument("offset", type=int, help="Whole-frame offset from timeline start")
p.add_argument("--rate", required=True)
p.add_argument("--mode", choices=("ndf", "df"), required=True)
p.add_argument("--apply", action="store_true")
p.add_argument("--expect-project-id")
p.add_argument("--expect-timeline-id")
p.add_argument("--expect-plan-digest")
a = p.parse_args()
result = move_playhead(connect(), a.offset, a.rate, a.mode, apply=a.apply,
expected_project_id=a.expect_project_id,
expected_timeline_id=a.expect_timeline_id,
expected_plan_digest=a.expect_plan_digest)
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 a plan without seeking
python set_playhead.py 240 --rate 24 --mode ndfUse a test timeline longer than 240 frames and stop playback.
Execute the reviewed plan
python set_playhead.py 240 --rate 24 --mode ndf --apply --expect-project-id "PROJECT_ID_FROM_PLAN" --expect-timeline-id "TIMELINE_ID_FROM_PLAN" --expect-plan-digest "DIGEST_FROM_PLAN"Replace all three placeholders with your own report values; they are not usable IDs. Inspect the Viewer after execution.
What the code does
Capture observations
Two reads capture IDs and clock state. A changing playhead during playback blocks planning.
Build the target
The offset is anchored to start_timecode and checked against conservative API bounds.
Check execution guards
Without apply the setter is unreachable. Apply requires IDs, digest and another state check.
Read back the result
One SetCurrentTimecode is followed by target and label checks. Incomplete confirmation requires inspection.
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.
Open a supported page
Possible reasonFusion/Media is open or the current page is unavailable.
Next checkOpen Edit manually and obtain a fresh plan.
Plan digest mismatch
Possible reasonThe context or playhead changed after planning.
Next checkDo not bypass the guard; read and review a fresh plan.
Target outside conservative guard
Possible reasonThe target is before start, at the endpoint or beyond the end.
Next checkChoose an interior whole-frame position in a small test timeline.
OutcomeUnknown
Possible reasonThe setter was dispatched but confirmation is incomplete.
Next checkDo not retry automatically; inspect the playhead and target identity.
PRACTICE / YOUR OWN EVIDENCE
One controlled seek on a test copy
- Open Edit, stop playback and obtain a plan for offset 240.
- Check the IDs, start label and computed target, then run --apply.
- Inspect read-back and Viewer; replan after manually moving the playhead.
No seek occurs without --apply; a matching plan dispatches one setter to the expected label. A stale plan stops before dispatch.
This is a checklist for your test, not a report of a test already performed on the website.
FAQ
Questions that matter in practice.
Does seeking split a clip?
No. It only changes the playhead position; it does not split, trim or simulate keys.
Can it restore the previous playhead automatically?
Not after an unknown outcome: that would dispatch another setter without established state. The old value remains in the plan for inspection.
Is --apply needed if the position already matches?
Without it, the script returns a plan. With it and matching guards, it returns already_at_target without a setter.
Why not just trust the Bool result?
It reports the request result but does not replace checking the selected timeline and observed position.[3]
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.