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Best Export Settings For Archival
Hey,
I know someone will probably tell me I should have posted this in a different thread, but I’ve been looking through them and figured this might be my best option.Here is the deal, I’m wondering if there is a better way for me to export with great quality and smaller file sizes. The footage I shoot needs to be archived almost as b roll until it is needed for use in other projects and needs to maintain good quality.
I’m shooting with a Sony NX5U and editing in premiere.
I’ve been using the QuickTime format and changing the codec to h.264
1080p 29.97fps quality 100 and checked the max render quality box.I’ve been happy with the quality that gives me but the files sizes are starting to become an issue for my limited space.
I was wondering if anyone had some tips to maintain the quality I’ve been achieving but with smaller file sizes.
I’m definitely open to all options.
Thanks,
Alex -
3 Replies
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Hi Alex –
I often find myself in the same boat as you – quality vs space. What I’ve been doing is creating a master file of my edited production in lossless Quicktime (1920 x 1080 – Animation – millions of colors). It’s a huge file, but it’s my master file.
That said, for elements of the production which I may need (no…will need) to use again, I render them off as Quicktime M-JPEG-A files at 90 percent quality. This format has been used by Artbeats as well as several other high quality footage providers, and there is a balance between file size and high quality.
If it comes to a final choice, I’d always opt for quality over space, and I ended up purchasing an 8TB Drobo for just that purchase. I can put all of my footage and elements at full uncompressed quality for archival purposes, and it didn’t quite cost me an arm and a leg.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com -
I use Avid’s DNxHD codec. It’s free, always will be, and the data rates are on par with ProRes.
Ryan
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For an edited master, I often use QuickTime with the PNG codec. It’s lossless compression, and typically smaller than the “animation” codec.
If you are archiving footage, why not just copy the original files (which you should be doing anyway).-Jeff
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