ProRes 422 HQ Playback looking low res

Hi all,

I currently have some footage that was shot on Canon 7D and RED One that was converted to ProRes 422 (HQ). When I look at the footage with my latest model Mac Mini 2.26GHz off of a fast Firewire 800 G-Technology Drive with a Dell ST2210 21.5 inch monitor, the Canon 7D footage looks like it's low res. When I QC the footage on a Mac Pro with either Apple Monitors or a Sony Broadcast monitor, monitoring through Kona, from the same drive, the footage looks really good.
I've also monitored through the Sony broadcast monitor with DVI out on a 17" latest model Mac Book Pro and have not seen this problem.
My first thought was maybe the video card in the Mac Mini has forced Final Cut to playout the HD video as ProRes, but when I monitored the same footage from a MacBook Pro, we had not switched graphics output to the dedicated graphics card, and the footage still looked great going out to either the broadcast monitor, or the built in display.
So that leaves the other two questions. Is it the processor on the Mac Mini (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz) that is causing this, or is it the Dell monitor that I have running causing this. The Dell is supposed to be HD giving me a full 1920 x 1080 resolution. Does this monitor, need to be calibrated, however?

So in a nutshell, when I monitor Canon 7D footage that is at full HD resolution under Pro Res 422 (HQ), it looks like I'm playing back blown up low res H.264 files.

Has anyone seen this before? What could be causing this?

Mac Mini Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 4GB RAM, 320 GB HD (7200RPM), Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Apr 7, 2010 8:35 AM

17 replies

Syrcle Author

Level 3

770 points

Apr 7, 2010 6:50 PM in response to Shane Ross

This project is not being edited on the mini, as I mentioned earlier. I'm just reviewing footage for the editor, with my Mac mini at home.
The project is being edited on a proper editing machine, but I just happened to see all these issues while reviewing, and it raised flags.

But you're absolutely right. Proper machine, proper monitoring, and proper configuration are the best way to go. I'll just do my reviewing at work, at our editing suites.

Thanks for the quick responses.

Apr 7, 2010 7:18 PM in response to Syrcle

I'm currently working with red and 7d material both converted to pro res HQ, monitoring full screen with a dell2450 via an aja lhi & working off twin 24" for bins timeline etc. yes its a beefy system and it flies, but I wouldn't trust either the monitors or myself to do anymore than the most basic quality control.
Having said that I've just been comparing the H264 quicktime against the pro res of the same on both the mac 24" and the dell, to see if I can see what you are seeing. given the (expected) huge differences in between the 2 monitors (both set up as good as we can get) I can see some differences between the 2 files, the H264 is a little more "crushed", and the gamma is slightly different. there is no noticeable noise difference between the 2 however.
conclusion - In my case I'm not at all worried about the difference, the basic quality criteria (focus, exposure, framing etc) have been met with both files on the monitors that I am using, I can't ask any more of monitors that cost a few hundred pounds. the finished project will have final post done at a post house where they can do all the qc on kit that is suitable for the task. Plus I will keep the original H264 files as back up in case something crazy happens.
Until I get a well set up broadcast monitor, waveform monitor etc in an offline suite, (and can make the money back on them) I'm more than happy to carry on cutting films in an offline role and leave the quality control (bar basic stuff) up to those who are better equipped.

Is monitoring on a computer a complete wash?? no if thats all you have, then thats all you can do, but it will never do the same job as pro kit will do, end of story.
cheers
Andy

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ProRes 422 HQ Playback looking low res