H264 or H265

It seems that ProRes is the frequently mentioned codec in lieu of h.264/265. I've also noticed lots of P5 clips are ProRes.

Is the common use of ProRes for P5 clips due to the common use of Apple computers and/or Adobe software to render P5 clips? I'm on a Windows 10 PC. I can transcode to ProRes with software tool Shutter Encoder which uses FFmpeg. However some reading reveals that these transcode tools are apparently using reverse-engineered pseudo-ProRes codecs instead of a real ProRes codec.

https://blog.frame.io/2017/08/07/prores-on-windows/

I transcode my Sony camera's XAVCS files to DNxHR HQX for editing in Davinci Resolve. DR can export/render DNxHR but not ProRes - at least not the free DR version. So now planning to submit DR rendered DNxHR files to P5 instead of transcoding them to ProRes with Shutter Encoder/FFmpeg.

But rarely if ever have noticed any P5 clips in DNxHR. Curious why? DNxHD/HR codecs are in P5's acceptable codec list.

When I was rendering on PC, I'd export uncompressed, then use a utility called "FootageStudio 4K" which is now "Intertake" I think. It made ProRes files. They were, for those who know how to look according to the file info, and in Resolve Inspector, ProRes. Inspected at 800% magnification .. they were indistinguishable from the original. (I would then chuck the uncompressed version out, of course). Regardless of the camera source, this was my procedure.

The paid version of Resolve on PC does not export ProRes, sadly.

We all know ProRes files play happily on a PC. Does DNxHD/HR play nice on a Mac? I dunno. I'd assume so. Not sure either why it's not a more popular codec on P5.

@Mizamook "Does DNxHD/HR play nice on a Mac? I dunno. I'd assume so. Not sure either why it's not a more popular codec on P5."

The big question is... whether or not most P5 footage buyers care if a clip is ProRes or DNxHR? Inquiring minds and others would like to know...

Even when I was learning of, rendering to, and experimenting with such things on a PC, I found ProRes played nicer on my timelines and editing single clips too. I did some basic tests and never did them again. I remember trying to match the bit rate, etc. between flavours of each. Something about those early tests made me spend money and time to go ProRes. I wish it were more scientific than that, sorry. Other than Avid people, ProRes seems pretty standard-issue. Never heard anything either way though.

Ultimately, for the buyers who care, those also likely have the ability and workflow to transcode either to whatever codec they prefer.

@Mizamook - "Ultimately, for the buyers who care, those also likely have the ability and workflow to transcode either to whatever codec they prefer."

Thanks - that's sort of what I assume. So far I've no trouble editing/rendering DNxHR files in Resolv - taking the additional workflow step to transcode them to ProRes seems unnecessary as long as buyers don't turn their noses up to DNxHR clips.

there should be a plugin to export prores directly from resolve,i don't remember the name...

You might be talking about Miraizon. What a piece of crap. Renders were soft. Some people didn't notice, but then, they "weren't looking properly". (name that film). It was clearly losing detail.

DNxHR HQX 10-bit it is for me then in future. I've compared that closely with results from other varieties of DNxHR and I cannot see a difference other than even larger files.

Apple won't license Prores to anyone unfortunately, so those like me who don't use Apple products are forced to use DNxHR. Any converters existing use reverse engineered codecs which I won't trust.

Is it worth doing this with my existing collection? Hmmm.....I think I'll do it with some.

@GSfootageUK "Is it worth doing this with my existing collection? Hmmm.....I think I'll do it with some."

With use of the "Copy metadata from Item" action I suppose that wouldn't be too laborious. How would you go about selecting which clips to resubmit? Those that have previously sold? Or?

Possible downside is I suspect that submitting a replacement clip then deleting the old clip would not carry over the sold clip's search ranking to its replacement.

@PCDMedia

Yes it wouldn't be too bad copying metadata across. I thought the same regarding search ranking when you have views and sales. I have asked support about it and maybe if they have a way to swap the clips over. If not, I'll just go through and re-render/upload my best ones, or those that are particularly detailed and suffering more from the compression.