Speed
Playback-speed multiplier.
1.0 is normal speed; values below 1.0 slow the source and values above 1.0 speed it up.
Tip: Check the result in motion rather than judging one frame.
← Fusion node reference
Time & MotionIntermediate
TimeSpeed
Speed, delay and frame interpolation
Changes playback speed, adds a temporal offset and controls how Fusion interpolates between source frames.
TimeSpeed
DaVinci Resolve · Fusion
TimeSpeed is the practical retiming node for simple speed changes, frame delays and freeze-frame work inside a Fusion composition.
Overview
What TimeSpeed does
TimeSpeed changes which source moment is sampled at the current composition frame. It does not move a clip on the Edit timeline; it changes time inside the Fusion branch.
Speed is the main control: values below 1 slow the source down and values above 1 speed it up. Delay offsets the sampled source time, which is useful for echoes, delayed duplicates and synchronization fixes.
Interpolation determines how missing moments are created. Nearest gives a stepped look, Blend mixes neighboring frames, and Flow attempts motion-aware interpolation. The more complex the motion, the more carefully Flow should be checked for warping artifacts.
Mental model
Think of TimeSpeed as a local playback engine for one branch: it decides how quickly that branch moves through its source and how the gaps between frames are filled.
Common uses
Slow down or speed up a Fusion element
Create a freeze frame
Delay a duplicate layer for temporal echo
Build stepped stop-motion timing
Offset reflections or shadows in time
Flow anatomy
Inputs & outputs
The port structure shows how this node fits into a Fusion graph.
Image Input
Source image for the operation.
TimeSpeed
Fusion node
Image Output
The retimed image after speed, delay, interpolation or freeze-frame processing.
Inspector
Important parameters
Start with these controls before reaching for more complicated workarounds.
Delay
Offsets the sampled source time.
Useful for intentionally lagging a duplicate, shadow or secondary effect branch.
Interpolation Mode
Chooses how frames are generated between source frames.
Nearest is discrete, Blend mixes adjacent frames, and Flow estimates motion.
Tip: Use the simplest mode that looks clean.
Sample Spread
Widens the temporal sampling window.
Higher values can soften motion but may create ghosts and reduce detail.
Freeze Frame
Locks the current source moment.
Useful for title holds, still backgrounds and deliberate pause effects.
Practical setup
A reliable workflow
- 1
Connect the source branch to TimeSpeed.
- 2
Set Speed for the required retime.
- 3
Use Delay only if the branch needs a temporal offset.
- 4
Choose the interpolation mode and inspect fast edges.
- 5
Add grading, glow or grain after the retime when possible.
Typical node chain
MediaIn→
TimeSpeed→
Color / Merge→
MediaOut
Examples
Where this node fits in real work
Simple slow motion
Slow the source to half speed and use a clean interpolation mode.
MediaInTimeSpeedColorCorrectorMediaOut
Delayed echo
Offset a duplicate branch and composite it over the original.
MediaInTimeSpeed (Delay)Merge
Troubleshooting
Common mistakes
Expecting TimeSpeed to solve difficult slow motion as well as a dedicated optical-flow tool.
Using Flow on chaotic motion without checking edges.
Increasing Sample Spread until the image becomes ghosted.
Confusing Delay with moving the clip on the Edit timeline.
Production notes
Practical tips
Use Nearest deliberately for a stepped animation style.
Keep retiming before heavy grain/noise so interpolation sees a cleaner image.
A separate TimeSpeed branch is often cleaner than shifting several downstream animations.
Related nodes