SUITABLE Video Codec for final output to Festivals/Theatrical/Netflix/Cable/HD TV

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Level 1

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SUITABLE Video Codec for final output to Festivals/Theatrical/Netflix/Cable/HD TV

Hi. Happy 2020 everyone :)

Thanks in advance for reading below.

I am working on a one-hour film that will be sent to select international festivals (theatrical showings), as well as aimed at Netflix and such OTT/cable/HD broadcast sales.

For this, I want to make sure I have the best Video Codec export settings (Specially keeping in mind the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) process and files i have to provide to my post house).

As I'm sure you all know, there are bunch of choices of codecs when we go to export. I want to know which works best.

Can you please let me know what/which combos are best and retain/give the highest quality? (My film uses resolutions that span 360 to 4k so it's a multi-res film).

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 9, 2020 5:15 AM

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Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Jan 9, 2020 5:38 AM in response to JimFinalCut

This is an older version of FCP. There is currently ProRes 4444 XQ. For a 4K project I'd suggest using at least HQ or 4444.

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Answer 2

Jan 9, 2020 7:04 AM in response to JimFinalCut

It depends on what you used for capture the highest possible ProRes mode in FCP 10.4.8 is 4444 XQ and you will need to ship a drive

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Answer 3

Jan 9, 2020 5:48 AM in response to JimFinalCut

For what concerns DCP final cut on its own is not able to create packages and I would recommend you get some help to do it. Other products like DaVinci resolve can do it with some difficulty

There are some third party solution like this http://www.quvis.com/products/wraptor-3-0/ but you also need a player this ultimately is more expensive than FCP itself.

Netflix is aligned to HD and UHD standards that do not involve projectors for those you can produce BT709 or BT2020 out of final cut.

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Answer 4

JimFinalCut Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 9, 2020 6:38 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom thank you. So...even if a lot of the film has 720 res as well as 1080 and some 4k (it only has a bit of 4k), you recommend the aforementioned codec?

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Answer 5

JimFinalCut Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 9, 2020 6:39 AM in response to Interceptor121

Interceptor121 -- I fully agree and I was going to work with a post house that'll handle all/any DCP. But my question was which codec is best to deliver TO such post houses? -- Thanks again.

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Jan 9, 2020 6:56 AM in response to JimFinalCut

I'd do HQ if the output is 1080.

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Answer 7

JimFinalCut Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 9, 2020 7:19 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom thanks again. I think 1080 might be wisest because the parts i shot in 4K are via my smartphone (OnePlus 6). But then again, I Know what I DON'T know, so any help is great.

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SUITABLE Video Codec for final output to Festivals/Theatrical/Netflix/Cable/HD TV

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