What codec to use for video with alpha channel ?

I tried the AfterCodecs. Prores rocks !
Better quality and smaller size than PNG. Atleast from what i seen from my samples.

Still i have the same issue as these threads
Thumbnail is lacking transparancy, preview looks fine with checkerboard. Stats say no alpha or matte..
I know the file has the right alpha channel, i made several tests on my own computer.

If this wont work out i will go the easy route and have a chromakey background so the buyer can replace the color.
Most buyers probably will use these for web purposes so a high quality alpha may be overkill..

https://www.pond5.com/community?forum=&thread=70900589
https://www.pond5.com/community?forum=&thread=62558869

When you say "thumbnail" are you talking about here on pond5? If so, is the supposed transparent area black? If that is the case, then it is a pond5 presentation issue and has nothing to do with the actual output. If you see checkerboard pattern, then it is transparent. Also, make sure in your render settings that you select RGB + Alpha (or RGBA).

Yes here on Pond5. Thumbnail is black but preview video has checkerboard.
Will have to wait until its reviewed and see what gives.
One more thing i dont get. The lower res version that Pond5 does automaticly is H264 .mov cointainer?
That wont have a alpha channel then ?

That is correct.. the H.264 will not offer or have an alpha channel. I have talked about this issue now with all agencies and none of them have come "clean" about this issue as to how to handle it. Some simply just didn't even realize it being an issue, I upload dual resolutions (hd and 4K) when an alpha channel is included for exactly that reason.

I agree thats very strange it isnt considered. Bummer for someone who buys the wrong version and expect an alpha.
Been thinking of doing two versions. One Prores 4444/16bit alpha and one Prores 422 HQ without alfa but chromakey background so the customer kan key it themself with one click (as i have already done the prekeying work.)
Is that allowed to have two 4K but different settings like that ?

Yeah, I don't see why not. Although I was told a couple of years ago, that if you do the "heavy lifting" such a pre-keying etc.. buyers seem to like that. I think it's a toss up. It all depends on the savvy of the buyer and their capabilities i suppose.

Hi guys,

Just to clarify a few things.

Pond5 offers the buyer a downconverted HD version in PNG/.mov format, which retains the alpha channel, for 4K (or higher resolution) files that are uploaded with the following specs:

- PNG/.mov (32-bit)
- Animation/.mov (32-bit)
- ProRes 4444 (32-bit)

The Curator will mark the items Alpha Channel / Alpha Matte when appropriate (it helps to add a Curator note).

We will look into the thumbnail having a black background (instead of the transparent checkerboard).

Thanks!

Hi Galit,

Thanks for clarifying that the curator marks the files. I did not find that info anywhere.

Also i checked alot of clips with alpha channels on this site and all i could find was H264 codec in a .mov container in the down-converted clips. Is everyone doing it wrong when they export the file ? Mine also says H264 but i have not sent to review yet as i needed to to redo a thing. In the clip page it says 32bit thought.

Your "How to Prepare Your Footage for Upload to Pond5" says nothing about bit-depth when using these formats from what i could see ?

I have browsed atleast 75 random 4K alpha channel clips from different contributors and all had H264 codec down-conversions. Most says 32-bit but still H264 ?

(Cant edit posts for some reason).
Anyway i will upload my clips as they are now. I have rerendered them sooo many times now trying different formats and options hehe. So much information to take in. Mayby i sounded a bit frustrated, i guess i am. Spent so many hours in front of the computer trying to figure these things out. Better to get the clips up on the site i figure now so i can get my portfolio running. I am sure i figure things out as time goes.