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Activity Forums Apple Final Cut Pro Best format for master file archive?

  • Best format for master file archive?

    Posted by Niklas Wikman on September 25, 2018 at 11:48 am

    Original footage is XDCAM EX (35 mbit).

    Rewrapped to ProRes422 with Catalyst browse and edited in latest version of FCPX.

    The most natural is to export as self-contained ProRes422 files.

    However, it looks like I can also export back to XDCAM EX.

    Will I retain the quality, thus much smaller files?

    And – most important. Will the EX master file be played back OK?

    I reckon that ProRes422 would be a better choice, given the compatibility. But I am getting a bit low on disk space….

    Niklas Wikman replied 7 years, 11 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Eric Santiago

    September 25, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    I stick with RAW (I live in RED) but also the highest possible editing format.
    Of late it’s been ProRes4444 even though its overkill.
    In the past, ProRes422 or DNxHD depending on clients.

  • Tangier Clarke

    September 25, 2018 at 4:27 pm

    There really is no right answer, but I’ll second that we store our masters as ProRes 422. However we’re mostly shooting with Canon C100s, Sony A7s and Panasonic GH series cameras. So I suppose it really depends on what your shooting format is. I will say though that when we’re licensing our content we’re being asked to deliver ProRes 422 HQ so either way we have to transcode our masters.

  • Niklas Wikman

    September 25, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    Wow, ProRes422HQ?

    That seens way out, given the original format…

    Normally we shoot DVCProHD (with a HPX500) and our master files are of course DVCProHD. Have never thought of transcode – ProRes seems to be less compressed, but both XDCAM EX and sure enough DVCProHD are already compressed.

    So for this project I think I will transcode to both ProRes422 and XDCAM EX 422 (50 mbit).

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