NOTE: This article was written November 28, 2025 using DaVinci Resolve 20.3. Directions may vary when using prior or future releases of DaVinci Resolve. The method described below is not the only method for adding letterboxing or pillarboxing to meet Eventive’s required 16:9 aspect ratio. The method described below is quick. Other methods may afford you more control, but may be more labor intensive or time consuming. Additional training resources can be found here. For support with DaVinci Resolve, please contact Blackmagicdesign directly.
Adding letterboxing or pillarboxing is a simple way to present your film in a specific aspect ratio while still delivering a file in a standard 16:9 format. DaVinci Resolve makes this easy using its built-in timeline and output tools.
Eventive requires you to upload your film using the recommended 1920 x 1080p or any other resolution that has a true 16:9 aspect ratio where both the height and width are even numbers. Conforming to the 16:9 aspect ratio is required by some streaming devices such as entry level TV devices from Firestick and Roku. By enforcing this aspect ratio, Eventive ensures that all audience members can enjoy the film on the device(s) of their choice.
If your film does not conform to the recommended 16:9 aspect ratio, you will need to export a version of your film that conforms to the 16:9 aspect ratio. When a 16:9 output resolution is specified, most encoders will do this by letterboxing or pillarboxing the film to meet the required aspect ratio.
Letterbox? Or Pillarbox?
Letterboxing: Creates horizontal black bars on the top and bottom of your image. This is often used to give a wider, cinematic look (e.g., 12:5 aspect ratio) on a standard 16:9 screen similar to what is depicted in the image above and on the left.
Pillarboxing: Creates vertical black bars on the left and right sides of your image. This is typically used when you're placing content shot in a squarer aspect ratio (like 4:3) onto a wider screen (16:9) Similar to what is depicted in the image above and on the right.
Before we start
Your final export will be:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080p (or another true 16:9 aspect ratio)
Codec: H.264 or H.265
File Format: .mov or .mp4
A more detailed summary of Eventive’s Video Specifications can be found here.
Let’s Do This!
Begin by creating a new project.
Add your film into your media pool. You can do this by dragging and dropping your film file into the media pool area of DaVinci Resolve, or you can click File followed by Import and then select Media. You may also use a keyboard shortcut. The default keyboard shortcut (if you are using the Davinci Resolve Keyboard layout) is CTRL+I.
Add the Clip to a new timeline. You can do this by dragging your clip into the timeline window or you can right click on the clip and select “Create New Timeline Using Selected Clips…”
Open your project settings. Project settings can be opened using the gear shaped icon in the bottom right of the Davinci Resolve workspace or by clicking File followed by Project Settings. The default keyboard shortcut (if you are using the Davinci Resolve Keyboard layout) is SHIFT+9.
Check your Project Settings.
Under Master Settings, make sure that the Timeline Resolution is set to 1920 x 1080 HD. Under Video Monitoring, your Video Resolution should also be set to 1920 x 1080 HD. Alternatively, you can enter any other resolution that has a true 16:9 aspect ratio where both the height and width are even numbers (no decimals).
Under Image Scaling > Input Scaling, ensure the “Mismatched resolution files” setting is set to “Scale entire image to fit”. This is what ensures that your film’s dimensions will remain unchanged. When the resolutions are mismatched, either of the following will happen:
If your film is narrower than 16:9 (widthwise), the height of your film will be fit to the height of the project and black bars will be added to the sides of your film to fill the empty space.
If your film is shorter than 16:9 (heightwise), the width of your film will be fit to the width of the project and black bars will be added above and below your film to fill the empty space.
Once you have finished verifying these settings, click Save to exit the Project Settings dialog box. The black bars now appear on your timeline and will be automatically rendered in the final file.
Export your File. In the top right corner of the screen, click the “Quick Export” button. Alternatively, you can click File followed by “Quick Export”.
In the Quick Export dialog box, confirm that your Render settings all conform to Eventive’s recommended video specifications. Then click “Export.”
Quick Tips
Always check your framing doesn't crop anything important from your shot
Consider adding a subtle vignette in the Color page to enhance the cinematic feel
If your bars look gray instead of black, check your Output Color Space is set correctly in Project Settings
That's it! You've successfully added letterboxing or pillarboxing to your film while maintaining Eventive’s required specifications. Happy editing!