The first video editing device with electronic insert editing capabilities with analog video tape was released in 1963 with the Ampex Editec. Raw footage was played back from one VTR (video tape recorder) and re-recorded on a second one, in the proper order, as decided by the human editor. (The Ampex Editec was released way before I was born.) Since the Ampex Editec and going forward with later video editing decks with insert capabilities, we have had what was—and still is—called a Program video monitor. At that time, video monitors were all interlaced and accepted baseband analog video. They were used to visualize the end product as it was being put together and it showed the image full-screen, at its natural aspect ratio, which at that time was 4:3. Later, in the case of A/B roll editing—where 2 independent VTRs would feed an video mixer via a TBC (time base corrector) to allow dissolves, wipes or other transitions—we would see the result of that special effect on the Program monitor. Sometimes, via a loop or DA (distribution amplifier), a matching video signal would feed a larger client video monitor, for others to see in the editing room, often from a couch. Nowadays, most video is digital, tapeless and progressive, but the intrinsic value of having a dedicated Program monitor still persists in 2026 and beyond. Previously, we needed specialized hardware to derive this proper signal for the Program monitor from the computer used for non-linear video editing. However, since version 16.1, DaVinci Resolve Studio fortunately offers a way to do it without any Blackmagic hardware.
Setting up Video Clean Feed for the Program monitor
Unlike DaVinci Resolve’s Dual Screen mode, which extends the interface, the wonderful Video Clean Feed setting sends a full-screen, unobstructed signal of your timeline to a secondary display to use it as a Program monitor. (This Video Clean Feed option is only available with the paid version of DaVinci Resolve Studio.)
- Connect your second monitor to your computer’s video output, for example: HDMI or DisplayPort.
- In DaVinci Resolve Studio, navigate to the Workspace menu (called Área de trabajo if your interface is set to Castilian). NOTE: This option won’t be visible if you don’t have any second monitor connected and turned on.
- Ensure Dual Screen is disabled since you want a dedicated full-screen Program monitor.
- Select Video Clean Feed and choose the specific monitor from the list. (It is called Mostrar señal limpia if you have your interface set in Castilian.)
How to match the project framerate on your Program monitor for consistent cadence
Without dedicated i/o hardware (like a DeckLink or UltraStudio Mini Monitor which I covered in 2013), the monitor’s refresh rate is managed by your operating system (or—on Mac—possibly by the third-party BetterDisplay application, see details ahead), not Resolve’s internal engine.
- Check Project Framerate in DaVinci Resolve Studio: Go to Project Settings > Master Settings to see your Timeline Frame Rate (e.g., 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 60 fps).
- Adjust the OS refresh rate for the Program monitor:
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- Windows: Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display. Select your specific dedicated Program monitor and change the Refresh Rate to match your timeline rate, or a multiple of it (e.g. 60Hz for exact 30.00/60.00 fps projects, 59.97 Hz for 29.97 or 59.94 fps, 50/25 Hz for 25 or 50 fps, 24/48Hz for 24 fps… or 23.976/47.952 Hz for 23.976 fps projects) depending upon your GPU and monitor’s capabilities and how your GPU may truncate the non-integer rates. I have seen some GPUs on Windows computers which truncate 59.94 as «59.9».
- Mac without the BetterDisplay application (if your monitor has complete EDID or if your project uses an integer rate, without any decimals): Go to System Settings > Displays. Select the specific Program monitor and choose a refresh rate that matches—or is a multiple—of your project (e.g. 60Hz for exact 30.00/60.00 fps projects, 59.97 Hz for 29.97 or 59.94 fps, 50/25 Hz for 25 or 50 fps, 24/48Hz for exact 24 fps, or 23.976(23.98)/47.952 (47.95) Hz for 23.976 fps projects).
- Mac with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 etc.) and the BetterDisplay application, which can force the use of rates supported but not listed via EDID by your display: Set the rate for your Program monitor using the BetterDisplay menu bar (not in System Settings > Displays).
Above you will see the BetterDisplay‘s option for non-integer rates derived from the colorized NTSC system. Currently, BetterDisplay abbreviates and rounds up 23.976 to 23.98.
Conclusions
I am very glad that DaVinci Resolve Studio offers this option of Video Clean Feed for a dedicated Program output. Thank you, Blackmagic Design! While many monitor manufacturers continue to include incomplete EDID and Apple continues with its overconservatism regarding rates in macOS, I’m glad we have the wonderful third-party app BetterDisplay to save the day. Ironically, AppleTVOS has a much more reasonable solution than macOS, as I first covered in AppleTV adds Match Frame Rate & Match Dynamic Range options (part 1) back in 2017. The macOS team should really learn from the AppleTVOS team.
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