4k file size converted to FHD

While I think compressing our FHD down-converted files can be seen as a problem, I doubt most buyers of stock media really care about or understand bitrate. They decide by looking at the preview. I'm sure it's just a space-saving tactic for the agency. Adobe Stock and Shutterstock do the same thing.

And if a buyer really cares about bitrate, they'd probably just get the original 4K file or ask Pond5 for a better FHD version.

Since in the 4 years, I have only sold one 4k file PER YEAR since 2018 .... versus plenty of FHD files upload before 2018 .... I will perform the following experiment: 1) reduce my 4k price a little over my FHD price 2) upload from now on FHD files and not 4k files. I will shoot at 4k and re-size them myself to upload. In my unique case, I have nothing to lose.

I use a Lumix G85 which records 4k at 100 mbs and that seems to be the main reason why Pond5's auto resize program creates a crappy small 20 MB FHD file. In the coming weeks I will by the Lumix GH6 and maybe I will start uploading 4k prores files again.

I do not want to start a price argument .... I wish I could sell tenths of clip each months at Reuters prices which this one is only 10 Mbps - https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/110564573-north-korea-marks-70th-founding-anniversary-massive-military

As a contributor but also an editor/colourist whose clients sometimes ask me to buy stock shots for them it pains me to have to tell them to avoid HD clips from P5.

The reason is that I just cannot even begin to grade a clip that P5 has down-resed from 4K to HD at around 5Mbps because the compression makes it fall apart.

Why on earth do P5 do this? To save a few bucks' storage? Why not exempt, at least, Exclusive contributors from this crazy low bitrate?

I wrote to P5 and they told me the workaround was to upload an HD version of the clip and a 4K+ version of the clip, make a note of the clip numbers, then contact contributor support to "associate" the clips. It did work — see for example https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/156257213-snow-avalanche-snowslide-above-nybyen-houses-svalbard-aerial — but it's a lot of work and so now I put my best stuff on Stocksy; they have a minimum HD bitrate of 50Mbps.

Yes, some clips seem to give you a "download other formats" option at checkout that allows you to grab a ProRes HD conversion. But it's a very well-hidden feature and there's no information about this before you press buy; so it's a risk; you might have to try to edit with a clip that's been compressed to the same filesize as a still image!

@A_Australis, interesting, thanks for sharing! Are sales good on Stocksy? Looked at their site, looks really good.

@intensivelight I just heard from P5 support that they will supply high bitrate HD clips to buyers on request. Seems like a bit of hassle for buyers (assuming they even know they can request it!) but good to know.
Re: Stocksy — I've been pleasantly surprised; they are super-picky, require exclusivity and don't deal with editorial, but it's working very well for me as someone who shoots stills at the same time as video since their prices are sustainable, and contributors get 50% (it's a cooperative). It seems to be growing and remains my "plan B" if P5 goes down the Shutterstock road of ever-diminishing returns following the takeover!

Thank you @A_Australis you confirmed my fears .... all my re-size 4k clips to 20 Mb FHD files are junk .... that's why I will start uploading quality FHD clips only. Pond5 should change their down sizing program to a no less than 50 Mbps file which was the standard for BBC as minimum Mbps for video files.

Why is P5 not answering these issues. I know that since I started uploading higher quality 4K clips and relying on P5 to downsize to HD my sales plummeted. It is a real thing and hurts not only the Artist but P5. 99% of my uploads in the last several years have been 4K and after many thousands of new higher quality uploads my sales dropped 75%. I do believe there is a problem that is wasting P5 lower sales.

P5 is all of this true? We are uploading great quality 4K ProRes yet sales of these down converted is so poor.