MJPEG-B not accepted codec any more?

Hi,

I just noticed on the Video Requirements page that MJPEG-B is no longer listed as an acceptable codec.

Is that just an omission? I thought that MJPEG-B was a desirable codec for all interlaced submissions.

I can certainly render them as ProRes, but as most other stock sites accept MJPEG-B, it would be nice to keep submitting my interlaced clips as MJPEG-B.

Thanks,
Gray.

Hi,

just spoke with Javier at Pond5 -- he explained that buyers are not favoring MJPEG-B any more... that if two similar clips are MJPEG-B and ProRes, the buyer will usually choose the ProRes.

Also, they're favoring new codecs, because they deliver better quality, and camera native when possible.

He explained that if I have an established workflow with MJPEG-B I could still use it, but to be honest, if it's going to hurt my sales to do so, I'm happy to start using ProRes instead.

PC users: note that FFMPEG can now convert to ProRes, so PC users FINALLY have an option to deliver with this great codec.

Hope this helps,
Gray.

Sure would have been nice to hear a notice from P5 to everyone. So, P5 since it benefits both P5 and the artist are you going to re-process all the MJPEG tp ProRes. It sounds like that would be the sound economical way to improve sales for both P5 and artists.

ProRes is clearly the way to go... even over PhotoJPEG, and that fact the P5 is going to generate a h.264 file as a sidecar, is freeking awesome!

One step removed from workflow... this is all good!

So, what is better ProRes or h264? I mean from buyer's perspective.

@ionescu - from an editors perspective:


ProRes - If any editing or, color grading is required, or if I am working on a project with mixed formats, i.e. DVCPro, HDCAM, etc.

h.264 - If I am going directly to broadcast or web, without any need for manipulation.

Given that FFMPEG conversion to Prores is a command line process it looks like being a pain for PC users at the moment.

Looks like H.264 for me going forward!

As phantomewo says it would be nice to find out if P5 will be converting the existing material. Assuming they don't want us to upload a few hundred thousand clips again :-)

TE

What now, is the most recommended upload format "officially" at Pond5? ProRes or PhotoJpeg?

Obviously I'm not "official" - but I think the requirements page covers it, and gives artists great latitude taking into account the various workflows (and lack thereof) of a very diverse group.

As we know, some contributors don't even have a Pro NLE to do any type of processing etc. - they simply grab a shot when the opportunity occurs and post it, while others who are a varying degrees of professionalism, plan their entire year and production cycle to feed the beast. (sorry for preaching to the choir).

So - I think the "recommended" is totally centered around your purpose and workflow.

If you just want to upload straight from the camera (ala DSLR) then maybe h.264 is your best option.

If you're "old-school" and/or your workflow dictates outputting the best file, in a codec that can be edited or color graded, without your client taking the extra step and time to convert a h.264 file to ProRes - then the answer is clear... ProRes would be the best choice.

PhotoJPEG is still a great option, and many motion graphics artists, and editors working with 720p love this codec.

Another thing to consider is the time it takes to convert a file to h.264 if your camera does not shoot that codec natively. In most cases the time, and performance of your computer can be a determining factor as to choosing the codec you output for stock. After all... time is money.

Here is a quick non-scientific comparison of a 44 sec 1920x1080 file.

Original 1920x1080 MPEG2 file = 145mb

Converted h.264 = 131.4mb

Converted PhotoJPEG = 930.1mb

Converted ProRes 422 = 775.1mb

I did not time it because this thread is not about machines, performance, ram etc, but suffice it to say that crunching h.264 files kick the processor(s) in the ass, the drives get banged harder, and the overall temps rise pretty dramatically on any machine.

ProRes and PhotoJPEG are less processor intensive, easier to work with, and reduce costs. Your Producer/Editor clients will appreciate you greatly for this, and it shows you're a pro, and what's wrong with that?

Hope this helps :)

P5, chime in. I'm outputting everything in photojpeg, but only do progressive.... if I did interlaced I'd still assume mjpeg b