4K Question

What codec and bit-rate are your using to upload 4k to pond5?

It is easy to answer if you described the source of files - DSLR, Red, VideoCam?

Will be the Panasonic GH4

Probably the original format in which the file was captured. If not, then the almighty PhotoJpeg at the highest quality that does not exceed 2.2 GB per file.

h.265 might be the answer for 4K.

There are many threads asking the same question. It really always come back to .MOV and PJPEG is still the standard and most widely accepted. Some end producers have said they stay away from h.264 and only use them as a last resort.

I was interested to see that 13-22 seconds 4096x2304 PJPEG .mov at 88% quality leads to file sizes of:

13 sec - 884MB
15sec - 986MB
16sec - 1.41GB
17 sec - 752MB
22 sec - 1.37GB

Checked detail and accuracy of render against animation codec (which I use as intermediate after processing RAW stills) and the PJPEG is looking good. Haven't messed with h.264 or h.265 yet though. Don't even really know how to, but it would be interesting to see if the resultant files are decent - or if they would be more like offering a crunched facsimile of the clip to the buyer, who may not appreciate the quality loss when they go to use the file.

something wrong with file sizes (16sec - 1.41GB and 22 sec - 1.37GB) - check again

I know - kinda funny, huh? I did check again. Went so far as to import them into AE and look for errors or something, but they are good. PJPEG not CBR?

The variances could come from the nature of what the footage is. Lots of motion? Very still without lots of action? etc... and also what colors predominate?