Cannot Relink Media or Connect to existing Database

Hi there,
I am using Davinci Resolve 16.2 (studio version) on an iMac. Here is my problem: I set up a project, had the database stored on my desktop (iMac), and the media files on an external hard drive.
Then I had to change computers (the original computer is no longer accessible). So I exported the project as .drp file and made a copy of the Davinci Resolve folder containing the database (Project.db) file onto my external hard drive.

Then I tried to set up the project on the new computer, also an iMac (macOS Catalina). Yet, when I opened the .drp file, all Media was shown in red and marked as "Media Offline". Strangely enough, the audio of each file plays well, and even the video files are shown as only containing audio in the Media pool. I tried to "Reconnect Media" option in the Media pool, but it didn't work. I tried that with individual files as well as the bulk. I also tried to "Relink selected clip" option, didn't work, also when I first unlinked it. What can I do?

Then, I figured to try another option and to connect the existing database. So I opened Davinci, clicked on "New Database", then "Create" and searched out my Project.db file. However, it was greyed out and I cannot connect it. What can I do?

Basically, my question is how I can get my project running again under these circumstances. Please help!

Hi there,
I am using Davinci Resolve 16.2 (studio version) on an iMac. Here is my problem: I set up a project, had the database stored on my desktop (iMac), and the media files on an external hard drive.
Then I had to change computers (the original computer is no longer accessible). So I exported the project as .drp file and made a copy of the Davinci Resolve folder containing the database (Project.db) file onto my external hard drive.

Then I tried to set up the project on the new computer, also an iMac (macOS Catalina). Yet, when I opened the .drp file, all Media was shown in red and marked as "Media Offline". Strangely enough, the audio of each file plays well, and even the video files are shown as only containing audio in the Media pool. I tried to "Reconnect Media" option in the Media pool, but it didn't work. I tried that with individual files as well as the bulk. I also tried to "Relink selected clip" option, didn't work, also when I first unlinked it. What can I do?

Then, I figured to try another option and to connect the existing database. So I opened Davinci, clicked on "New Database", then "Create" and searched out my Project.db file. However, it was greyed out and I cannot connect it. What can I do?

Basically, my question is how I can get my project running again under these circumstances. Please help!

Thanks for posting this. I'm at exactly the same situation with the exact same workaround, MacOS version and computer you are struggling with. I have carefully Archived the project, the Local Database, exported the .dra., and XML, cloned the the content of the project. Nothing absolutely is working. The Timeline is there entirely red with Off-line files. The Medial Pool shows the clip thumbnails in black.

The project I'm trying to reopen is from Resolve 14.3 into 16.xx later version. I suppose that in my case, the issue probably is originated there.

What is the Resolve original project file you are trying to reopen?

Thanks for your post. We seem to be in the same situation here. Yet, in your case, I strongly believe it has to do with the fact that you were using different versions of Davinci Resolve. Can you upgrade the older one? (In my case, I was using davinci resolve 16 on both computers).

And here comes a crazy addition: when I create a completely new project and import the original media files, Davinci imports the .MXF, as well as the .MOV files only as audio files. So I believe that the link it has established to the original media is somehow corrupt. Any ideas how to fix this?

Thanks for your post. We seem to be in the same situation here. Yet, in your case, I strongly believe it has to do with the fact that you were using different versions of Davinci Resolve. Can you upgrade the older one? (In my case, I was using davinci resolve 16 on both computers).

And here comes a crazy addition: when I create a completely new project and import the original media files, Davinci imports the .MXF, as well as the .MOV files only as audio files. So I believe that the link it has established to the original media is somehow corrupt. Any ideas how to fix this?

I have a variant to our case. When I create a new project and import the media files, all files are intact.
I'm trying to import a new XML but Resolve Crashed at every intent.

I believe that our common case can only be solved, one, by sending the file to Blackmagic support, and see if they can fixe it. Second, and my last resource is to export the Project Timeline —flat— from the Delivery page at the original resolution and frame rate at the higher codec possible. Then import the movie and use the Cut Detector to continue working on the project. It's important to make a QuickTime reference movie before exporting the timeline and cut away all transitions, if any. With this method, at least the editing in the Timeline is preserved.
If I found another workaround I'll let you know. Let's keep in touch.