Offline / Online workflow, reverting prores Proxies back to Original file (5d, h264)

[Arturo García]

Ok I’ve been going back and forth with this and I just cant seem to find a proper workflow that is both time saving and best quality output for my canon 5d3 native h264.

im working on a 2014 imac i5 processor running 16gigs of ram.
I usually edit in FCP and now started grading in Davinci resolve lite 10

I’ve been reading about proxies and round tripping but still don’t know if its even worth the converting time (i have A LOT of footage from shooting events).

Ideally i would like to cut the video in final cut then send to resolve to grade. Should i convert my CF cards all into ProRes right off the bat, edit video in fcp then export xml for resolve and bring in master files as well?

Or is creating low res proxies for relinking the original h264 masters better quality wise?

It all has to go back to FCP for final export correct? or can you export a final compression for delivery in Resolve?

I know i have to learn Resolve better but i haven’t had the time and speaking of time, the clock is ticking!!

thanks in advance.

[Shane Ross]

[Arturo Dickson] “Should i convert my CF cards all into ProRes right off the bat, edit video in fcp then export xml for resolve and bring in master files as well?”

NO! First step is to back up the card to an archive drive. Either a RAID 1 or to TWO locations…two drives. This is your master footage…back it up!

THEN you convert to ProRes. If you are going to edit with FCP, you must use a ProRes editing codec…ProREs is the best option.

[Arturo Dickson] “Or is creating low res proxies for relinking the original h264 masters better quality wise?”

Not really. The only reason to offline/online and go through all that hassle is to save drive space. If you are low on space, can’t fit all of the high res ProRes files onto it..and don’t want to get more space, then offline/online is the way to go. If you want to keep things simple…get large drives to hold the footage at ProRes 422 quality. That’s full res, and perfect for finishing.

[Arturo Dickson] “It all has to go back to FCP for final export correct? or can you export a final compression for delivery in Resolve?”

Your choice. Resolve is an end to end finishing tool. No need to go back to FCP.

[Arturo Dickson] “I know i have to learn Resolve better but i haven’t had the time and speaking of time, the clock is ticking!!”

If you don’t have time to learn Resolve….then either hire someone else who knows Resolve, or color grade on something you do know. Grade in FCP if you want…send to COLOR (unless you don’t know it).

Shane
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