best ProRes codec for BluRay: 422 HQ or 4444 ?

Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

best ProRes codec for BluRay: 422 HQ or 4444 ?

Posted by Chris Liddell on May 11, 2011 at 1:42 pm

I have 1080 RGB source green screen footage that i’ve captured using BlackMagic RGB 10 bit (197.9 MB/sec) to get the cleanest keyed edges etc.

All the keying/compositing/vfx leg work is being done in AE and rendered out for final edit/sync/output in FCP

So far I’ve been rendering all my “progress” AE comps as ProRes 422 HQ to FCP but am considering re-doing the “final FINAL” renders from AE in 16bpc@PRORES 4444 to take advantage of it’s 330 mbps

Can anyone please confirm if the final BluRay compressed result will be noticeably superior visually using 330 mbps instead of 220 mbps PRORES HQ ???

thank you all for any insight & experience you can share here
Chris

Chris Liddell replied 15 years ago 4 Members · 10 Replies
10 Replies

Shane Ross
May 11, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Regular ProRes 422 would be fine for BluRay. By the time you compress for BluRay, any benefit you get from HQ or 4444 will be gone. And all you will have gained is a larger file size.

Those formats are meant when delivering much higher end formats, like film, HDCAM SR.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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Chris Liddell
May 11, 2011 at 3:47 pm

Thanks for that Shane… yes as I suspected re: compressed Bluray result.

I am looking to supply final master on HDCAM SR to allow for best big screen projection at live concerts etc…. in which case the ProRes 4444 would be worth the extra file size/thru-put… though client may opt to project from BluRay for convenience anyway

….hmmmm
Jeremy Garchow
May 11, 2011 at 4:10 pm

What’s the original source of the footage?
Chris Liddell
May 11, 2011 at 4:16 pm

it’s a CG heavy treatment weaving the 1080 RGB green screen elements with 2D/3D animation, stock footage & CG/VFX all rendered @ 1080 ProRes 422 HQ

…or should I re-render @ 4444 – that is the question !?!
Jeremy Garchow
May 11, 2011 at 4:18 pm

Is any of your original source material 444?
Chris Liddell
May 11, 2011 at 4:21 pm

yes all the green screen elements were filmed & captured RGB 444… I can output alot of the CG/VFX work from AE in 16bpc 4444 if it’s worth it in the end too
Chris Liddell
May 11, 2011 at 4:29 pm

Yes it’s looking that way isn’t it.

Thanks for weighing in Jeremy
Jeremy Garchow
May 11, 2011 at 4:30 pm

[Chris Liddell] “I can output alot of the CG/VFX work from AE in 16bpc 4444 if it’s worth it in the end too”

ProRes 444 will be 12 bit from your 16bit render. For BluRay though, it’s not really worth it. 422HQ will be plenty.
Rafael Amador
May 11, 2011 at 5:03 pm

For a BR (420/YUV), mastering in 8b Unc YUV would be enough, but the logical choice would be Prores because the files size.
I would finish in 444 only if the clip would need further heavy reprocessing, like upscaling to 35mm or 4K.
The extra color definition of the 444 stuff can shine only on those conditions.

The noticeable step up in quality that happens when going from 8b to 10b, its doesn’t happens when going from 422 to 444. The difference will be there, but won’t be any screen able to show it, and even being that monitor, our eyes won’t be able to tell the difference.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com
Chris Liddell
May 12, 2011 at 1:48 am

thanks for tuning in rafael… good to have your input

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