Is ProRes 422 always 10 bit?

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Level 2

167 points

Is ProRes 422 always 10 bit?

I've been reading conflicting information about ProRes 422 and whether it is always 10 bit.

Is ProRes 422 always 10 bit, whether the regular or HQ versions?
Can someone (from Apple perhaps?) chime in with a definitive answer?

Thanks,

Richard

G5 dual 2 gig, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 30, 2007 2:27 PM

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Answer 1

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hanumang

Level 6

9,250 points

Aug 30, 2007 3:50 PM in response to Richardttt

It's always a 10-bit 4:2:2 codec.

The only difference between Standard and High Quality is the data rate (how compressed it gets). The white paper might be confusing you because it makes mentions 8 and 10 bit, but that's in reference to maintaining picture quality (resolution) when it comes to material transcoded from those (uncompressed) sources.

But don't be confused, you transcode to/digitize as ProRes422 and your material becomes 10-bit. Which is why it's so great with Color...

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Answer 2

Aug 30, 2007 2:40 PM in response to Richardttt

Read or download it:

http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/whitepapers/L342568A_ProResWP.pdf

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Answer 3

Richardttt Author

Level 2

167 points

Aug 30, 2007 3:16 PM in response to RuiBarros

I've read the ProRes white paper many times and it is very vague about the 8 bit 10 bit question.

I'm looking for a definitive answer.

Thanks,

Richard

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