HT202410: About Apple ProRes

Learn about About Apple ProRes
das1383

Q: How to convert with ProRes en masse?

I'm cataloguing and sifting through old movie files, which are mostly .mov format.  The older ones take a while to upgrade/convert, and I now know that this is enhancing the quality using ProRes.  My question: Can I convert/update all of my old movie files en masse so I don't have to wait each time I open one of my old files?

Posted on Mar 30, 2016 12:32 PM

Close

Q: How to convert with ProRes en masse?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Jon Walker,Apple recommended

    Jon Walker Jon Walker Apr 6, 2016 9:35 AM in response to das1383
    Level 6 (18,620 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 9:35 AM in response to das1383

    My question: Can I convert/update all of my old movie files en masse so I don't have to wait each time I open one of my old files?

    Assuming you are using Mavericks (or later) OS X, all of your files are conversion compatible, and you are using the same target setting, then you can select multiple files in the Finder and use the Context menu "Encode Selected Video Files" option to "batch" process all files to a common target user setting such as ProRes 4-2-2/LPCM.

    SJAUG.png

  • by das1383,

    das1383 das1383 Apr 6, 2016 9:36 AM in response to Jon Walker
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Quicktime
    Apr 6, 2016 9:36 AM in response to Jon Walker

    Awesome!  I see that option in the context menu, but when I tried it, I got the following error.  Any suggestions?

     

    Screen Shot 2016-04-06 at 12.33.44 PM.png

  • by Jon Walker,Helpful

    Jon Walker Jon Walker Apr 6, 2016 11:07 AM in response to das1383
    Level 6 (18,620 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 11:07 AM in response to das1383

    I see that option in the context menu, but when I tried it, I got the following error.  Any suggestions?

    What source compression format are you converting? At what resolution? And how many files did you simultaneously batch convert? How much available RAM do you have?

     

    For instance, can you convert a single file using this workflow? If not, look for a system/codec problem. If yes, then try increasing the number of files selected to see at what point your get this message. Remember that the ProRes/LPCM codec combination is not very efficient in terms of file data rate/storage space compared to codecs like H.264 video with AAC audio.

    SJAUG.png

  • by das1383,

    das1383 das1383 Apr 6, 2016 11:10 AM in response to Jon Walker
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Quicktime
    Apr 6, 2016 11:10 AM in response to Jon Walker

    Okay, making progress.  I tried a different single file and got no error message.  Now there's a little spinning cog wheel up in the tray at the top of my screen. The drop-down says 'Encoding Selected Video,' but after 10 minutes now, it's remained at 0% yet is still churning.  Thanks for the back-and-forth help on this, I've had trouble finding help elsewhere, even from AppleCare.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-04-06 at 2.10.13 PM.png

  • by Jon Walker,

    Jon Walker Jon Walker Apr 6, 2016 3:26 PM in response to das1383
    Level 6 (18,620 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 3:26 PM in response to das1383

    Okay, making progress.  I tried a different single file and got no error message.  Now there's a little spinning cog wheel up in the tray at the top of my screen. The drop-down says 'Encoding Selected Video,' but after 10 minutes now, it's remained at 0% yet is still churning.  Thanks for the back-and-forth help on this, I've had trouble finding help elsewhere, even from AppleCare.

    Sorry. Currently running what I expect will be a 10 hour conversion queue and proofing results on TV4 so haven't been monitoring mail. As far as I've observed, that progress monitor is worthless/non-functional. On my 3.4 GHz i7 operating under El Capitan, a 3 minute 480p ProRes422/LPCM conversion takes about 30-40 seconds while a 12 minute 720p file takes about 5 minutes. Basically, you will have run similar tests on your own system using "typical" source files to assess your own conversion speeds. If your files are not converting at all, then you will need to provide additional information and/or a sample file for examination.

    SJAUG.png