Render as sequence codec or as Pro Res?

[Ian Cook]

Hi Richard,

Setting this to ProRes creates ProRes render files instead of XDCAM or HDV render files. The difference (aside from the higher data rate and color sampling etc) is that ProRes is an ‘I’ frame codec so the GOP does not have to be rebuilt. The result is shorter render times.

It’s best to do this before building a sequence. FCP will allow you to change it for existing sequences with media in them but when you do this all your existing render files go offline and new ones need to be made..

Ian

[Richard Doyle]

So what you’re saying is that one is not better than the other? I’ll get just as good an image by rendering as Pro Res AND my rendering time will be reduced?

[Ian Cook]

No, I wasn’t saying that. Rendering to ProRes is almost definitely the better option. The render times will be shorter and technically the render files will be of higher quality due to the higher data rates and 422 sampling.

[Richard Doyle]

Thanks. I edited EX3 1080 25p footage in an XDCAM timeline, and exported it using “current settings” (instead of exporting as DV PAL, which is what I probably should have done, as it’s going to SD DVD?), and I tried it in DVD Studio Pro and iDVD to compare. In DVD Studio Pro, it’s fine. In iDVD there’s ‘judder’. It’s very noticeable, especially with slow pans. Any idea why this is so?

[Rafael Amador]

Forget about the “Render to Prores”, and set your sequence codec to Prores instead.
If you use that option, your renders will always be trashed, whatever the export option you take.

[Richard Doyle] “” (instead of exporting as DV PAL, which is what I probably should have done, as it’s going to SD DVD?”
Going to DVD doesn’t justify the use the DV codec.
Export always with the higher quality you can do.
Don’t forget to set “Render in High Precision”.
rafel

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Richard Doyle]

When you say “set your sequence codec to Prores instead”, are you talking about just setting up the timeline for Pro Res LT? Does that mean I shouldn’t render to Pro Res, as you used the word “instead”.

I’m editing 1080 25p EX3 and 1080 25p 7D footage together. I will convert both to Pro Res LT, edit the project, export using “current settings” (1080 25p Pro Res LT) and then drop into Compressor using ‘DVD Best Quality’. Is that right?

Render in “high precision” is situated here, right? It’s what I have ticked here?

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Richard,
Don’t waist your time converting the EX footage.
Conform your sequence to the EX footage and simply change the sequence codec to the Prores flavor that you like. If you are applying filters, use the “Render in High Precision” setting.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Richard Doyle]

“Don’t waist your time converting the EX footage.
Conform your sequence to the EX footage..”

Meaning convert the 7D footage to XDCAM?

Okay, I’m totally confused now.

“..and simply change the sequence codec to the Prores flavor that you like”

Which means…set up a Pro Res LT timeline and don’t worry about the render settings? But I thought you just said to conform my sequence to the EX footage?

“If you are applying filters, use the “Render in High Precision” setting.”

I have no idea what this means. Do you mean applying filters like ‘desaturate’, Magic Bullet etc?

[Rafael Amador]

[Richard Doyle] “”Don’t waist your time converting the EX footage.
Conform your sequence to the EX footage..”

Meaning convert the 7D footage to XDCAM?”
I mean convert just the 7D footage.
i say conform the sequence to the EX footage, so you won’t have problems about size, pixels aspect, field order, etc.
Then change the sequence codec to Prores. The EX footage will work OK there.

[Richard Doyle] “”If you are applying filters, use the “Render in High Precision” setting.”

I have no idea what this means. Do you mean applying filters like ‘desaturate’, Magic Bullet etc?”
Right. Also if you are putting graphics in your sequence. This setting will improve the rendering.
You can set this right before making the final export. No necessary to have it while editing.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Richard Doyle]

“I mean convert just the 7D footage.”

Convert the 7D footage to XDCAM using Compressor?

“Then change the sequence codec to Prores.”

Does this mean setting up a Pro Res LT timeline?

“You can set this right before making the final export.”

And is that “high precision” that I have ticked in the screen shot above or do I have to do something else?