Blackmagic Forum

I'm wondering what a good general codec would be If I want to export my raw clips for another editor to use. I have some raw clips (Sony a7s3 XAVC 1080p 10 bit) that are over/underexposed and I can't trust our outsourced editor to correct these clips adequately. I want to correct the raws and get the color looking right so that they don't have to mess with color/correction at all but still give the editor as much latitude as possible to cut the clips and utilize slow-motion in the HFPS shots I have (60fps).

I don't know what system or editing program they will use so I'm looking to export files to a codec that works well in most reputable editing software.

What codec would you all use to keep as much quality as possible without ballooning the file sizes larger than the original clips?

Thanks in advance!

ProRes or DNxHD/HR.

Are you going ProRes 422? HQ? LQ?

I know that HQ makes the files even larger than they were shot. I'm trying to keep the file sizes within a similar range as the original clips.

I just tried exporting to ProRes 422 and it made my file size go from 2.2GB to over 7GB.

Nick Mo wrote:I just tried exporting to ProRes 422 and it made my file size go from 2.2GB to over 7GB.

This is expected when going from codec that uses temporal compression to I-frame only codec, but unless file size is absolutely prohibitive, this is the most straightforward and compatible way.

Cineform is good and cross platform but your file size will grow also..... not much getting around that for any hi quality easy to edit codec.

My choice would be to give him the original media and do the Color work yourself after editing.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

My first choice would have been to color the footage myself after the edit as well but it wasn't an option.

Why not?

Because they insist on using their own novice editor. I can color decently but I'm not a professional or proficient editor, especially when it comes to workflow stuff like this. I don't know how importing/exporting EDLs work and I certainly don't know how to instruct an even less skilled editor to do so. I intend to learn more down the line but I have other projects I am deep in right now.

Most importantly, they aren't paying me enough to bother with it all. My goal was just to get the footage to a place where it looks good as is and needs no correction so I could walk away from the project without any further questions about the footage.

Me wanting to color/correct the footage was a courtesy mostly stemming from not being able to bear the thought of what their editor (who said he usually uses imovie but just got FCPX) might do to the footage should they have a crack at correcting.

Give them nice looking stuff in ProRes 422 HQ and call it a day.

What Uli said.

Thanks y'all!