Here’s a question I get almost every day: “I’m shooting [insert name of video format] what version of ProRes is best for my project.”
ProRes is an excellent codec for editing and finishing. It is 10-bit, which means it provides 1,024 shades of gray or shades of each color per pixel. It has a high bit-rate, which means it retains excellent image resolution. However, there are six versions of ProRes, each of which vary in bit rate (and file size). In order of bit rate and potentially image quality, these are:
DNxHD, DNxHR, Pro Tools and Media Composer will continue to be supported and will be compatible with the current and future release of Mac OS. To scratch the surface, ProRes files are loosely compressed, and your GPU finds it easy to process them during both editing and playback. This is not the case with H264 files, and they do require more processing than ProRes. Developed by Apple Inc., ProRes is a codec that was released in 2007 along with Final Cut Studio 2. All color shifts with ProRes codecs are fixed now, please update! H264 / H265: 8 bpc / 10 bpc, TV Range / Full Range, YUV subsampling choice (4:2:0 / 4:2:2 / 4:4:4) H264 YouTube profile in.MP4 will render AAC audio now, please use.MOV that will generate WAVE audio so that Youtube has the best quality to re-encode after upload;).
- ProRes Proxy
- ProRes 422 LT
- ProRes 422
- ProRes 422 HQ
- ProRes 4444
- ProRes 4444 XQ
Which one is best for your project? Based on my research, conversations and experience, here’s what I recommend.
NOTE: From an audio point of view, all six versions of ProRes have the same excellent, uncompressed audio quality.
PRORES PROXY
ProRes Proxy is designed for small file sizes and very efficient editing. It is not designed for great image quality. This is because it only displays every other pixel on every other row. (This is called “quarter-resolution.)
ProRes Proxy is the best choice for:
- Multicam editing
- Computers with small, or slow, hard disks
- Editing where performance is more important than image quality
The only time I regularly use ProRes Proxy is multicam editing and I never output proxy files. I always output either optimized or camera native to get the best image quality possible.
Apple suggests using ProRes Proxy files for archiving. While Proxy files are smaller than any other ProRes format, they are still far larger than H.264. And, at the same bit rate, H.264 has higher image quality. I tend not to use ProRes Proxy for archiving.
PRORES 422 LT
ProRes 422 LT is a format that I don’t use at all. While it has good image quality because it includes every pixel in the image, I find it too hard to create, given how other ProRes options are integrated with Final Cut Pro X.
I definitely don’t recommend setting render files to ProRes LT. Higher bit rate versions are a much better choice.
If I were to archive a standard-definition video project, I’d consider this format. I probably wouldn’t use it, but it would be worth considering. Why consider it? Because ProRes 422 LT generates the smallest file size of all the high-quality ProRes formats.
PRORES 422
This is the default and workhorse video format for all optimized media in Final Cut Pro X. It is an excellent balance between image quality and editing efficiency.
ProRes 422 is the best choice for:
- All 8-bit video formats (including AVCHD, H.264, MPEG-4, DV, DVCPro)
- I would also recommend it for DigiBeta files as well
The trade-off for using ProRes 422 is that the files are large; about 1 GB per minute. However, when I’m editing, I want the best image quality with the fastest performance. I’ll compress the master file down into something small for distribution after all the editing is done.
PRORES 422 HQ
This is the best format to use when your camera actually records ProRes 422 HQ. File sizes are bigger, however, about 1.5 GB per minute.
The only difference between ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ is the data rate. And, unless you are using really good lenses with really good lighting, you won’t see a difference between ProRes 422 and 422 HQ.
What you will see is that your hard disks are filling up faster than normal.
PRORES 4444
The difference between the 422 family and the 4444 family is how they deal with color. Image resolution is the same between the two. 422 color sampling creates one color value for every two pixels. 4444 color sampling provides a color sample for each pixel.
The reason you don’t need this higher-quality color sampling for video is that almost all video cameras use 422 color sampling, which means that you don’t improve your color by converting camera images to 4444; you just move it into a larger color space.
ProRes 4444 is the best choice for:
- All video that originates on the computer (screen captures, Motion projects, After Effects projects, Photoshop sequences)
- All video that requires an alpha channel (transparency)
- All video shot by a camera that shoots ProRes 4444 or RGB images
PRORES 4444 XQ
This is the newest member of the ProRes family. It is a very specialized, high-quality format that is designed for cameras more than post.
ProRes 4444 XQ is best for:
- Any camera that shoots ProRes 4444 XQ, such as the Arri Alexa.
If your camera doesn’t shoot this format, converting your files into this format won’t get you anything.
Here’s an article I’ve written on this codec that explains things in more detail.
SUMMARY
In short, here’s what I recommend:
- Use ProRex Proxy only for multicam editing, never for output
- Use ProRes 422 for anything you shoot with a camera
- Use ProRes 4444 for anything shot using RGB color space or files that you created on the computer
Following these guidelines can decrease your stress and your hard disk requirements, without damaging your image quality
Bookmark the permalink.by Christine Smith • 2020-09-21 19:07:02 • Proven solutions
With Adobe Premiere, ProRes can be exported quite easily. The only thing you need to keep in mind is what types of Apple ProRes Premiere Pro support and what adjustments must be made manually to get the expected output. With that said, here you will get basic information about the ProRes codecs, how Adobe Premiere Pro works with ProRes, and what to do to export ProRes Premiere Pro can use for the post-production process. While reading this, you will also learn about one of the best alternatives to Adobe Premiere Pro that can export ProRes more easily and quickly.
Part 1. Does Adobe Premiere Pro Support ProRes
A simple, quick, and straightforward answer to the question are, “Yes, it does.” Although ProRes is an Apple proprietary product that was first introduced in 2007 with the official release of Final Cut Studio 2, considering the advantages it offers, such as keeping the files smaller in size while still retaining higher picture quality, Adobe joined hands with Apple. The codec can now be used with the major post-production and encoding tools by the vendor, namely Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Media Encoder.
Quick Info
ProRes is an intermediate codec that contains visuals in uncompressed form. This makes it easy for the post-production applications to edit the footages without giving any overhead to the processor or GPU. Once the editing is done, the videos are exported to a distributable, more recognizable format like MP4, MOV, etc. for broadcasting.
Work Process (with Adobe Premiere Pro)
When it comes to exporting a video to ProRes with Adobe Premiere, a certain flow needs to be followed to get optimum results. This workflow, along with the reason for each phase, is briefly explained below:
- Video footage is imported to Adobe Premiere Pro
- Assuming that the video is not already recorded in ProRes, it is transcoded to ProRes 422 or ProRes 422 HQ if required (Some professionals even prefer creating proxies)
- The ProRes 422 file is then edited as needed
- Post-editing, the video is exported to a globally accepted format like MP4, MOV, etc. using better compression-oriented codecs such as H.264 or H.265.
Part 2. How to Export to ProRes from Adobe Premiere Pro
Considering the above process in mind, and assuming that you have already imported a video to Adobe Premiere Pro, the steps below explain how footage can be transcoded to ProRes for further editing:
Apple Prores Codec For Premiere
Step 1: Click File and Open the Export Settings Box.
Click File from the menu bar at the top of the Adobe Premiere Pro window, go to Export from the drop-down menu, and click Media from the submenu that appears to open the Export Settings box.
Step 2: Select Quick as Format and a Preset.
Select QuickTime from the Format drop-down list. Notice that ProRes 422 HQ is selected by default in the Preset field. (in Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2019). You can either leave it selected or choose a different one as needed from the drop-down list (ProRes 422 for this example).
Step 3: Verify the Codec and Make Other Adjustments.
From under the Basic Video Settings sections, uncheck the common box for Width and Height (if already checked), and define a custom resolution (1920 x 1080 here) (or leave the box checked, and the figures intact if no changes are necessary). Along with this, also ensure that other options are configured according to the settings given below:
- Frame Rate is set to 25 or 30 (as per your preference)
- Field Order is set to Progressive.
- Aspect is set to Square Pixels (1.0)
- Use Maximum Render Quality and Use Previews boxes are checked.
If any of the options aren’t set to the values listed above, you must make the required modifications before proceeding.
Step 4: Click Export.
Once everything is in place, click Export to export the video to ProRes, Premiere Pro can make edits to.
Part 3. Best Premiere Pro Alternative to Export ProRes You Can't-Miss
Although with Premiere, ProRes can be created, you need to go through many menus and configure several options manually before the transcoding is initiated. To overcome this hurdle and save some time, another, rather a better alternative to export ProRes called Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate), is available. Wondershare UniConverter has built-in ProRes presets that are easily configurable, even if you don’t have an in-depth understanding of complex technical terms like Progressive Field Order, QuickTime format, etc. In addition to this, the rendering speed that Wondershare UniConverter offers is around 30x faster than other post-production tools.
Wondershare UniConverter - Best Video to ProRes Converter
- Convert videos to ProRes codec and other 1000+ video formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.
- Convert video files with optimized presets for Final Cut Pro, iMovie, iPhone, iPad, and more devices.
- 30X faster conversion speed than any conventional converters.
- Edit video files with trimming, cropping, cutting, merging, adding subtitles, etc.
- Burn videos to DVD with customized free DVD menu templates.
- Download or record videos from 10,000+ video sharing sites.
- Industry-leading APEXTRANS technology converts videos with zero quality loss or video compression.
- Versatile toolbox combines video metadata editor, GIF maker, video compressor, and screen recorder.
- Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6.
Security Verified, 8,301,864 people have downloaded it
To export ProRes using Wondershare UniConverter, all you need to do is, install the program on your Mac computer, and follow the steps given below:
Step 1 Hit Add Files and Import Footage.
Download and install Wondershare UniConverter on your Mac. Launch the program, confirm that the Video Converter tile is selected from the top, click the Add Files symbol from the center, use the box that opens to select the footage you want to export to ProRes, and click Load from the bottom-right corner of the box.
Step 2 Select ProRes as an Output Format.
Click and open the Output Format menu from the bottom of the Video Converter window, go to the Editing tab from the top, select ProRes from the left pane of the menu, and select your preferred resolution the right (Same as a source here).
Step 3 Manage Destination Location and Export to ProRes.
Choose a destination location to save the ProRes file to (or leave the File Location folder selected) in the Output field from the bottom of the window, and click Convert to export the video to ProRes; Premiere Pro can edit for final distribution.
Conclusion
Prores Codec Download
Adobe Premiere has a built-in export feature that can transcode footage to Apple ProRes Premiere Pro can use for editing. However, there are many settings and options you need to check and modify before starting with the conversion. On the other hand, the Mac version of Wondershare UniConverter makes such things way easier by allowing you to select a preset that has all the settings already configured according to the Premiere ProRes codec.