Video Format and Codec Q's for Windows

I am looking for the optimal output from Resolve 12.3.2 on a Windows 7 machine. This is for UHD/4K workflows. I'd prefer to use MXF over Quicktime unless I am losing IQ. If I am working with RAW source files, what are the advantages/disadvantages to the following codecs:

MXF OP1A
DNxHR 444

MXF OP-Atom
DNxHR 444

Quicktime
DNxHR 444

Quicktime
Uncompressed RGB 10-bit

Thanks!

mxf opt1a, rgb 1:1...

no compression

Thanks Walter, makes sense.

-Randy

For 4K, I think you can use DNxHR 444 and get extremely good results. If it's high-end theatrical work, then I'd go with DPX, provided your workflow can handle the throughput (which is demanding). DNxHR 444 is no worse than QuickTime ProRes 444, and that works very well on network TV every day.

ProRes444 is bit better (DNxHR falls quicker in dark areas) and ProRes444 XQ is definitely better as it uses higher bitrate. Both are definitely good enough for any TV work.

Thanks . I'm working on a Windows workstation which I feel is complicating my workflow (and makes pro res impossible). I exported using DNxHR via both Quicktime and MXF (XML roundtrip workflow). With MXF, the footage plays back with a digital grain in Premiere that goes away when I render out a h.264.

However, I am getting the gamma shift I have seen people write about. Is there a way for me to avoid the shift? The video looks both slightly less saturated and hazy.

The first image is quicktime, then VLC, then Premiere.

I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to create a deliverable without the shift.

gamma shift.JPG (204.58 KiB) Viewed 4994 times

Thanks!

Yup, this is the Gamma quicktime bug as you suggested, only seems to happen with MOV or MP4 files. AFAIK your file is fine, it's just the player messing it up. There was a blog post that covered this, I'll see if I can dig it up.

Only way to get Quicktime to not do this is open the file in Quicktime, go to window, Show movie properties, select the video track and find the tab marked visual settings. In there you change Transparency to Straight Alpha. Then go to File, Save and your file should display properly in Quicktime henceforth. Only works with Pro though.

EDIT: https://vitrolite.wordpress.com/2010/12 ... gamma_bug/
That was the blog post.

Of course, the quicktime fix seems a bit superfluous considering end of support for it.

Thanks . I'm working on a Windows workstation which I feel is complicating my workflow (and makes pro res impossible). I exported using DNxHR via both Quicktime and MXF (XML roundtrip workflow). With MXF, the footage plays back with a digital grain in Premiere that goes away when I render out a h.264.

However, I am getting the gamma shift I have seen people write about. Is there a way for me to avoid the shift? The video looks both slightly less saturated and hazy.

The first image is quicktime, then VLC, then Premiere.

I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to create a deliverable without the shift.

gamma shift.JPG

Thanks!

QT preview most likely will be wrong- don't rely on it.
VLC should be fine and definitely Premiere should read DNxHD properly. Are on latest version of Adobe?
Does Resolve have any setting for viewing using monitor profiles like on Mac? If it does than turn it off.

Thanks for the response guys. I am updated to the most recent Adobe software.

The middle image above is with VLC and there is still little bit of a shift. Is this just the nature of compression?

Would using an encoder like x264 Pro in Premiere deliver better results?

DNxHD compression can't be really seen at 1:1 pixel on PC monitor (you need to zoom at least 2-3x and compare against source to see some changes). It's not heavily compressed format. Even with h264 there is no reason for any color/gamma etc shifts. Compression shouldn't break these things in the amount that they are clearly visible.
There may be some issues with GPU setting, what model is it? As I said, Premiere preview should be correct. I'm not fan of VLC. Prefer Media Player Classic (which has built-in very good LAV filters).

https://mpc-hc.org/downloads/

I just read the article Sam posted. There is a good chance this happened because I was using Adobe Media Encoder to do a batch export.

Apparently, when exporting an h.264 from AME or After Effects, it actually adjusts the contrast of the image itself.

Of note, the animation codec does not create a shift in contrast.

So it seems my option is to export from Premiere directly and if I am truly concerned about playback in Quicktime, to open it in VLC and adjust the video settings.

Regarding ProRes vs. DNxHR, and rendering in DNxHR, it seems it is always best to render out to DNxHR 444. Unfortunately, it seems Pro Res 4444 XQ has a higher bit rate, but not my much.

Apple states ProRess 444 hits a target rate of 330Mbps for 4:4:4 sources at 1920x1080 at 29.97 sec and 444 XQ at up to 500Mbps.

Avid states that DNxHR 444 at the same settings is 52.1 MB/s or 416.8 Mbps.
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_U ... ifications

So it seems:

DPX > ProRes 4444 XQ > DNxHR 444 > Pro Res 4444 > ProRes 422 HQ > DNxHR HQX and so on

Pro Res 4444 = 330 Mbps
DNxHR HQX = 4:2:2 12 bit (25.99 MB/s, 207.9 Mbps)
Pro Res HQ =4:2:2 10 bit (220 Mbps)
DNxHR HQ = 4:2:2 8 bit

When exporting out of Premiere (and possibly AfterFx) try turning off the Mercury transmit engine, that should fix the colour shift on some file exports as it's been known to shift colours in the past. I know it fixed it on some of mine and my clients files in the past that just wouldn't export properly until I turned it off.