CBR for ProResHQ

[Jeff Sargeant]

https://www.facebook.com/Cinedeck/posts/1285605154825889

Apparently you now can create CBR ProRes files in Resolve 14.

Jeff Sargeant
Videographer @
Flowmaster/Hurst/B&M
Hayden, ID

[Tero Ahlfors]

By its specification (if it hasn’t changed) Prores is a VBR codec so while you can export it with different settings you might run into trouble if you’re sending it to some sort of quality control check.

I don’t believe the quality will change at all. The file size might be a bit bigger.

[Joseph Owens]

While I was reviewing CineX-Tools, I started running into the VBR/CBR nature of ProRes a bit more often. Yes, ProRes is native VBR, unlike Dnx, and of course a CBR ProRes file is bigger because there is no packet-reducing efficiency.

I suspect it is also why some applications baulk at third-party-originated exports, since there are likely some departures in how the VBR-packing is accomplished. I expect anyone reading this has encountered the FCP warning “This media is not optimized for use,” &c., &c.) and its usually because the media has been cross-coded in a different way.

CBR does have the advantage of a consistent bit-word correspondence — for sure, an application for splicing within a Quicktime mov (like CineXTools) absolutely has to have that one-to-one in order to do the content insert.

jPo, CSI

“I always pass on free advice — its never of any use to me” Oscar Wilde.

[Sascha Engel]

Hi,

Thank you everybody for the detailed and informative response!
I did a test, and yes, the files in CBR are slightly bigger.
Not much though.
So, all in all in it’s right to say, that the CBR version,
has to have a slightly – even though I guess, not visible –
better image quality?

Best,

Sascha

Sascha Engel
KINO KITCHEN Studio
http://www.kinokitchen.co.il
http://www.youtube.com/taikang

[Tero Ahlfors]

[Sascha Engel] “So, all in all in it’s right to say, that the CBR version,
has to have a slightly – even though I guess, not visible –
better image quality?”

Bigger file doesn’t automatically mean better. VBR is great because it will use the bit rate that the current footage needs. If you have a bunch of dark or bright scenes (or you have crop bars) they will use less data instead of writing everything in the file.

[Shane Ross]

Image quality is exactly the same. CBR allows for INSERT EDITING with apps like CIneXInstert and others, so is better.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Sascha Engel]

Thanx Guys for the clarification!

Greetz.

Sascha Engel
KINO KITCHEN Studio
http://www.kinokitchen.co.il
http://www.youtube.com/taikang

[Alex Elkins]

[Shane Ross] “CIneXInstert and others”

Hi Shane – I realise it’s a year on since this thread was active but I’m curious what the others are that you referred to. I’m currently using CineXTools for an insert edit on the assumption that it’s the only thing out there that can do this properly (I don’t count QT7 in that). Have you used others?

Cheers!

Alex Elkins // Editor & Colourist
alexelkins.co.uk
@elkstwit

[Alex Mogurenko]

Quality absolutely the same. Cinedeck just pads every encoded frame with zeros to make all frame same size (max possible size)

[Alex Mogurenko]

hi Alex,

afaik Media Composer can do Insert-edit but its really lame
there is also ProRes Video Patcher app which technically can do Insert-Edit even to VBR files

Kind Regards,
Alex