What’s the best way to generate a ProRes from PC?

Afternoon Everyone,

I’ve read about how “Adobe Media Encoder” and “Handbrake” are great work arounds to generate ProRes files. However, it seems like unless you have a file that just needs a pass through from one file type to another these aren’t the best work arounds.

The issue I’m running into is that my final spec is asking for a ProRes (not the issue) but with stereo and 5.1 audio. This wouldn’t be a problem if I was rendering this final from resolve. Can easily map the audio how I want and it that’s incredibly easy. However, I’m stuck with trying to figure out how I can do this from Media Encoder. For the life of me I can’t figure out if it’s even possible.

What do you guys recommend?

DNx in the MXF container.

DNx in the MXF container.

Hey Jon! Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, they need a final file that’s a ProRes and not an mxf.

Maybe have a look at a program called TEncoder. I've not had a chance to probably test it yet, but got it specifically for ProRes should I need to.

Fusion can encode to ProRes. There are also a lot of free or donationware programs which can, like Shutter Encoder. It also has a complete audio mapping for up to eight channels.
But beware, these will produce reverse-engineered ProRes without Apple's blessing. Normally not an issue, but better check with your client.

For non-Apple-certified prores, any ffmpeg gui or direct ffmpeg command line will do.

Kyno is pretty good https://lesspain.software/kyno/pages/product-comparison/

they need a final file that’s a ProRes

I had a TV station that 'needed' a QuickTime file once.

I told them no, delivered an .avi file and they dealt with it.

Just explain that you don't use Macs and "ProRes isn't an option. What else can you take?"

Again and again, a codec that is proprietary to a certain platform and unavailable across platforms (not to mention it's just an intermediate, to add insult to injury) cannot be a deliverable, let alone a requirement. I don't freakin know why they insist on ProRes, it must be some reflex or the Stockholm syndrome...

Not every client will swallow that…

Rather give them what they want and include it in the price.

Well, if you're going to include it in the price, buy a copy of Avid Media Composer. They get the deliverables they want, you get a shiny new industry standard editor.

Well, if you're going to include it in the price, buy a copy of Avid Media Composer. They get the deliverables they want, you get a shiny new industry standard editor.

This is what most people do. Not AVID literally, but include the costs of business in your prices. You probably don’t tell your client that you can’t do above SD resolution because you provide cheap service, don’t include a newer computer in your prices and your celeron running premiere 2.0 can’t do better.

This is what most people do. Not AVID literally, but include the costs of business in your prices.

I've certainly built in prices of things like consumables and media for certain jobs when they were outside the scope of what I ordinarily do. And the price of Media Composer is certainly not exorbitant. They've worked REALLY hard on modernizing it over the past couple of years, but this year brought full on ProRes encoding and h.265 support. HUGE steps forward.

Between Avid and Resolve, I've got nearly everything I need. ZCam support and ProResRAW support are all I'm waiting on now. Funny to think Avid might get there before Resolve!

You could always rent a Scratch license for a month

Or, god beware, Premiere Pro…