Should you shoot Prores/DNxHD/DNxHR over XAVC S?

Here are my recommendations on the Prores/DNxHR(HD) vs XAVC S problem. First, the differences between Prores and DNxHR/HD:

• On Macs, choose Prores, period. If you are handed DNxHR/HD, you can work with it if you download the Avid codecs for QT pack (free).
• On PCs, DNxHD/HR is preferable. Prores will play if you have QT, but I’ve found it’s always slower on PCs for some reason.
• DNxHR for 4K, DNxHD for 1080p.

Here’s a quick chart of the variants available and their data rates (specific to the a7S II and a7R II only):

Here are some important resources to learn more about Prores/DNxHD/DNxHR:

• Apple Prores White Paper (PDF)
• Avid DNxHD White Paper (PDF)
• Avid high-resolution White Paper (PDF, DNxHR is in there)
• List of DNxHD/HR resolutions and bit rates
• DNxHR codec variants

Now follow this simple flowchart:

1. Are you shooting chroma keys? Or is there compositing work involved?

If yes, shoot Prores HQ/DNxHR(HD) HQ/HQX.

If no, go to step 2.

2. When grading, will you be using more than one power window or mask per shot? Or Will you need multiple renders of a shot?

If yes, shoot Prores HQ/DNxHR(HD) HQ/HQX.

If no, go to step 3.

3. Are you shooting for strict broadcast delivery (10-bit 4:2:2)?

If yes, go to step 5.

If no, go to step 4.

4. Will my work be sent to a post house or studio who will convert to Prores/DNxHD/DNxHR anyway?

If yes, go to step 5.

If no, shoot XAVC S.

5. Will there be any grading at all?

If yes, shoot Prores HQ/DNxHD/DNxHR HQ/HQX.

If no, shoot Prores LT/DNxHD 145/DNxHR LB.

6. Are you shooting 4K or 1080p?

For 4K, go to step 7.

For 1080p, shoot XAVC S.

7. Do you have a slow computer (i3, i5 or low-end i7 processor)?

If yes, shoot either Prores LT or DNxHR LB. XAVC S 4K needs a good CPU to decompress in realtime.

If no, stick to XAVC S.

Bottom line

I think it’s worthwhile to go big or go home. If you’re opting for an external recorder for its color grading/chroma keying advantages, shoot HQ/HQX. Forget about the other variants.

However, if you’re opting for an external recorder because XAVC S 4K is slow on your computer, you can stick to the lowest setting because that would be equivalent to XAVC S 4K.

For a detailed comparison of internal vs external codecs, check out Comparison of XAVC S vs Prores vs DNxHR.

FAQs

Should you use Prores LT or 422, or DNxHD 145 or DNxHR SQ/LB?

For general work, I recommend XAVC S over either Prores 422 or LT, or DNxHD 145 or DNxHR LB/SQ. For the times you need Prores/DNxHR, you need HQ/HQX and the data cushion it provides.

When should you NOT shoot Prores?

If you’re a Windows user, avoid Prores.

I’m grading my movie or project in Resolve or Speedgrade. Should I choose XAVC S or Prores HQ or DNxHD 220x?

XAVC S is okay for all normal to medium grading work, which is 99% of projects, even cinema-quality ones.

How do you know when to use Prores HQ or DNxHD 220x or DNxHR HQ/HQX? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Will I use more than one power window or mask?
• Is there any compositing work involved?
• Is there some extreme noise reduction to be performed?
• Will my work be sent to a post house or studio who will convert to Prores anyway?
• Is my work intended to be delivered to broadcast (10-bit, 4:2:2)?

If the answer to any of the above is yes, then shoot Prores/DNxHD/DNxHR.