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8-bit uncompressed SD or ProRes(HQ) SD
I initially posted this over in the Blackmagic forum, but no nibbles – so I thought I’d try here as it doesn’t just relate to the card I use for capture.
I know most people are looking at ProRes as an HD solution, but I have a question regarding standard definition use. My usual workflow is Betacam SP captured 8 bit uncompressed and edited in 8-bit sequences. I did a quick capture test from Betacam to the new ProRes(HQ) and did a split screen with the same scene captured 8-bit uncompressed. To my eye, I just wasn’t seeing any differences between the two clips. So here’s the question. The ProRes file is substantially smaller than the 8-bit (no surprise), and that’s great for storage of large projects. But is Final Cut Studio 2 having to work harder dealing with ProRes clips and sequences? I’ve read posts and articles regarding the cpu’s working harder to uncompress and re-compress the ProRes footage. But is it any harder for my Mac Pro than working with uncompressed 8-bit? Most of the stuff I’ve read about ProRes discusses HD footage and not SD footage. I would love to be able to work with the smaller file sizes, and I would think my Mac would, too. Disk access should be faster as well, right? I have a Mac Pro 2.66 with 6GB RAM, BMD HD Extreme card.
Thoughts?
Dan Sparks
Tricom Video
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6 Replies
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You can’t see any difference because going to 10 bit from 8 bit does not add quality. If smaller files are what you’re after, and you are unsure as to the demands of ProRes on your system, I would consider DVCPRO 50 or the Sheer codec.
ProRes seems to work okay on my G5, but I haven’t really tested the HQ version in 1080i, but I do see some dropped frames, so I’m not betting the farm on it. I’m sticking with 8bit and DV50 for the time being.
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10 bit maintains quality so it is good to use over dvcpro50
Had to send something on my new iPhone 🙂
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I use ProRes HQ SD on a daily basis.
To and from Digibeta, BetaSP and DV
Prior to this it was 10-bit uncompressed all the time.
The savings in disk space is excellent -
Thanks for all the responses (especially the one from the iPhone…I’m jealous). I agree, the picture quality is great using ProRes(HQ). I’m just not clear about any performance hit (or gain) using the ProRes codec. Have any of you noticed if renders take longer, you get more or less streams of real time video compared to uncompressed 8 or 10 bit? Or is it about the same? And yes, I could do some full-on testing, but I go from project to project and I don’t want to experiment on a paying client :-0
Thanks,
Dan Sparks
Tricom Video
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Rendering ProRes does take about 2/3 longer than uncompressed.
But its so worth it.
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Thanks! That’s the info I was looking for.
Dan Sparks
Tricom Video
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