Apple ProRes 422 or 422 HQ?

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Level 1

67 points

Apple ProRes 422 or 422 HQ?

Hi Good day

I would like to know what will be the best pro res setting for my final exported project - Apple ProRes 422 or 422 HQ?

It's a short film production 40-45 Minutes / Tv-pilot episode. Most of it was shot with the Sony PXW-FS7 camera and Cam B was shot on Sony PXW-FS5. Most of the footage like 60 percent of it was shot on 4K and 40 percent of the footage was shot in HD 1080p.

I've made the project 1080P cause there is 4K and HD 1080p clips in the project.

My question really is for the final export of the product for festivals, blu-ray etc should it be Apple ProRes 422 or 422 HQ?

Posted on Mar 22, 2017 5:12 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

David Bogie Chq-1

Level 7

26,596 points

Mar 23, 2017 1:34 AM in response to MarinusHD

Not really. The HQ data density only benefits a certain type of production. It's a chicken/egg thing. If you know why you need 422HQ, you use it. If you don't know if you need it, you probably do not. This video compares several video formats/codecs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYlwFBLtUP0

About Apple ProRes - Apple Support

422HQ: The target data rate is approximately 220 Mbps at 1920x1080 and 29.97 fps.

422: The target data rate is approximately 147 Mbps at 1920x1080 and 29.97 fps.

422LT: The target data rate is approximately 102 Mbps at 1920x1080 and 29.97 fps.

422 proxy: The target data rate is approximately 45 Mbps at 1920x1080 and 29.97 fps.

http://www.4kshooters.net/2015/01/26/choose-the-version-of-prores-best-suited-to -your-project/

https://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutpro/professionalformatsandworkflows/i ndex.html#chapter=10%26section=2%26tasks…

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Answer 2

Mar 23, 2017 7:17 AM in response to MarinusHD

Glad to offer something helpful. Wishing you the best with your productions.

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Answer 3

Mar 22, 2017 8:59 AM in response to MarinusHD

Do one of each and run them side by side. Can you tell the difference? Most people cannot.

Keep the HQ version if you want to but it will only be your source file for all other formats. Your festival entries will most likely be submitted as H.264, super compressed. If you win something, the event will give you precise specifications for your video files. You must deliver those specs for your project to be displayed at the theatre or venue. The HQ version may or may not help you meet those specs.

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Answer 4

MarinusHD Author

Level 1

67 points

Mar 22, 2017 8:12 AM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

Thanks David for your great advice I appreciate it.

So by listening to what you have said. Its prob the best to keep my options open by making at the end a 422 hq which is master file then a 422 and then a h.264 then if i have those 3 then basically it will be everything i need for multi-purpose and use for the film?

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Answer 5

MarinusHD Author

Level 1

67 points

Mar 23, 2017 1:40 AM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

Thank you David for makings things easier to understand. Your answer have helped me, thanks again! M 🙂

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