What version of DaVinci Resolve has auto captions?

Introduction

If you’ve been searching for what version of DaVinci Resolve has auto captions, you’ve probably hit the same wall as countless editors: conflicting forum posts, outdated tutorials, and vague “Resolve has subtitles” claims that gloss over version, license, and hardware requirements. As of the 18.5 release, Blackmagic introduced a game‑changing DaVinci Neural Engine feature — automatic speech‑to‑text subtitles directly from your audio — that simply didn’t exist in earlier versions.

For editors juggling deadlines and accessibility compliance, knowing exactly which Resolve build supports auto captions, and how to locate and use the tool, can save lost hours. This guide will give you the quick answer, explain the Free vs Studio divide, walk step‑by‑step through enabling the feature, and troubleshoot why you might not see it. We’ll also compare Resolve’s built‑in captions with external transcripts from faster, cleaner tools like SkyScribe, so you can make smart decisions on whether to upgrade or outsource the workflow.

The Quick Answer: Auto Captions Arrive in 18.5

DaVinci Resolve 18.5 marks the first time the application lets you generate subtitles from audio automatically. Earlier builds such as 18.1 and 18.0 offered manual subtitle track creation or import from SRT files, but nothing resembling transcript‑from‑audio processing. Blackmagic announced the new AI‑powered subtitles in April 2023, grouping it with other Neural Engine upgrades like text‑based editing and improved voice isolation (ymcinema coverage).

The takeaway: if you’re running pre‑18.5, it doesn’t matter where you look — “Create Subtitles from Audio” simply won’t appear.

Studio vs Free: License Determines Access

Here’s where most confusion starts: Neural Engine‑powered auto captions are Studio‑only. Even on version 18.5, the Free edition lacks this feature because the AI transcription relies on resources and optimizations reserved for the licensed Studio build (Blackmagic’s “What’s New” page).

The licensing nuance:

• Existing Studio license holders can upgrade to newer builds — 18.5, 19, 20 — at no extra cost. There’s no add‑on fee for AI subtitles.
• If your splash screen or About dialog doesn’t say “Studio,” you’re in the Free edition and won’t see conversational AI captions.
• Mac App Store “Studio” buyers often find their build lags behind the standalone download, and in some cases, new Neural features appear later or are optimized elsewhere.

So before chasing GPU drivers or reinstalling, check your edition. If you’re serious about captioning inside Resolve, Studio is the threshold.

How to Check Your Resolve Version and Edition

You can confirm your version in seconds:

1. Open Resolve and go to Help → About DaVinci Resolve.
2. Look for the full string: “DaVinci Resolve Studio 18.5.X” (minor number may vary).
3. If “Studio” is missing, you’re on the Free edition.
4. Verify you’re pasting in official updates — direct downloads from Blackmagic get Neural updates first.

Hardware check: even on Studio 18.5+, older GPUs or unsupported drivers can hide or throttle Neural Engine functions. Editors on laptops with integrated graphics frequently hit performance cliffs.

Creating Automatic Subtitles in 18.5+ Studio

Once you’ve verified you’re on the right build:

• Open the Edit or Cut page with your timeline ready.
• Right‑click the audio track or use the top menu; choose Create Subtitles from Audio.
• Select your language, range (entire timeline vs in/out points), and basic layout constraints.
• Resolve’s Neural Engine processes the audio, creating a subtitle track with timecoded segments aligned to speech.

From here, you can correct mis‑recognitions, merge or split blocks, and adjust styling for delivery.

While this puts subtitles directly in‑timeline, accuracy can vary on complex audio or niche speech. This is where a dedicated transcript platform may edge ahead. For example, when I need clean speaker separation and perfect timestamps for multilingual interviews, I’ll run the audio through an external transcript workspace like SkyScribe — the tool takes a YouTube link or a file and returns structured captions without the cleanup hassle.

What Resolve’s Auto Captions Produce

Resolve 18.5+ outputs a proper subtitle track rather than burned‑in graphics:

• Each subtitle clip has editable text, style options, and precise timestamps.
• You can export as standard formats like SRT for uploading to YouTube or streaming platforms.
• Later versions (19/20) layer on refinements like animated captions or speaker labelling, but the core track remains the same.

Understanding this helps plan delivery. A broadcaster needing accurate closed captions may require a human pass for sound cues and speaker IDs, while short‑form creators might go straight from Resolve’s export.

Why You Might Not See “Create Subtitles from Audio”

Common causes:

1. Older version — Anything pre‑18.5 doesn’t have AI transcription.
2. Free edition — Lacks Neural Engine subtitles.
3. Mac App Store lag — Features can arrive later or vary.
4. Unsupported hardware — Poor GPU acceleration can disable or slow the feature.
5. Wrong page/context — The menu appears in Edit/Cut pages with a valid timeline selection.

If you’re blocked on any of these, upgrading might not be realistic. In fast‑turnaround scenarios, skipping the built‑in feature and importing an external SRT can be more efficient. Batch resegmentation tools (I use SkyScribe’s segmentation editor for this) let you drop an SRT in, adjust chunk sizes, and re‑export — bypassing time spent hunting menus.

Upgrade or Use External Transcription?

Ask yourself:

• Version & license: Are you already on Studio 18.5+?
• Hardware stability: Will Neural Engine run smoothly?
• Project stage: Is it safe to upgrade mid‑edit?
• Accuracy needs: Do your captions require verbatim perfection?

If you check all the Resolve boxes, the native tool is an integrated option. If not — Free edition, hardware limits, tight deadlines — external transcription pipelines deliver faster and sometimes cleaner results. Running your timeline audio through a platform like SkyScribe gets you subtitle‑ready files, translations in 100+ languages, and timestamped transcripts editable before import.

Conclusion

So, what version of DaVinci Resolve has auto captions? The answer is firm: 18.5 or newer, Studio edition, with hardware that supports the DaVinci Neural Engine. Anything less, and the “Create Subtitles from Audio” button will stay hidden.

Once on the right configuration, Resolve’s captions can be a huge time saver, placing editable subtitle tracks directly in your timeline. But for maximum accuracy, speaker detection, or multi‑language output, external transcription tools like SkyScribe still play a pivotal role. Knowing when to use built‑in subtitles and when to import a polished SRT keeps your workflow efficient and your captions compliant.

FAQ

1. Do I need to pay again for AI subtitles in Resolve? No. If you already own Studio, Neural Engine subtitles are included in 18.5+ without an extra fee. Upgrades in the same license family are free.

2. Will upgrading break my existing projects? New versions open old projects, but old versions may not open 18.5 projects. Always back up before upgrading.

3. Can I export captions from Resolve? Yes. Subtitle tracks can be exported as SRT or other caption formats for use on streaming platforms and social media.

4. Can I import an external transcript into Resolve and style it? Absolutely. Import the SRT into a subtitle track, then modify timing, text, and style inside Resolve.

5. Are Resolve’s auto captions accurate enough for accessibility? They’re a strong first pass, but professional accessibility standards often require reviewing for spelling, technical terms, speaker IDs, and sound cues. External transcription tools can fill these gaps, especially for specialized content.

6. Why does my Mac build lack the feature? Mac App Store versions sometimes trail updates available from direct downloads. For new Neural Engine tools, the standalone Studio build often gets them first.

7. What if I’m in the Free edition? You’ll have manual subtitles and import/export options, but no automatic “from audio” generation. Use external transcripts in this case.