Apple has released a new video codec into the filmmaking post production world. It’s called ProRes 4444 XQ and it’s a mother-scratching beast.
At 4K (4096 x 2160) it registers 1697 Mbps which equals 764 GB/hour of 4K video footage. A single camera large Hollywood production can often shoot 100 hours of footage. That’s 76 TB of 4K ProRes 4444 XQ footage.
David Fincher’s GONE GIRL crept up on 500 hours of raw footage during its multi camera 6K RED Dragon production. That equates to roughly 315 TB of RED 6K (4:1) footage. Shit just got real for data management and post production workflows. It’s time to embrace the madness!
The most popular 4K and beyond video formats and data rates
There are over 22 video cameras that shoot 4K or higher as of June 27th, 2014. That number will only go up…as will the need to grapple all those bytes of data in a stable and safe manner. I’m about to start editing a RED 5K feature film entitled HEADLOCK. I plan on editing natively and in real time with 5K RED footage. I’ve narrowed down my storage solutions and will keep everyone updated with my final choice and the workflow we go with. It’s most definitely exciting times…and there’s no room, time or budget for clusterfucks or death spirals. I’ve done my due diligence and need the most ironclad pipeline possible. More to come…
Bryant Frazer breaks down 20 cameras that shoot 4K or more
The arguments for and against 4K and beyond rage everyday. Resolution versus latitude. Color space versus bit depth. If you chose to embrace 4K or not…you should at least be aware of the post productions requirements necessary to tackle such an endeavour. Knowledge is King and being familiar with the ever expanding components of our profession will only help us to be more intelligent and responsible filmmakers.
Phil Holland (@phfx) created this wonderful size comparison chart
To learn more about 4K and the subsequent workflows…please check out Andy Shipsides wonderful article that inspired me to expand and enhance on his research of this fluid subject matter. 4K and Beyond is not going away…so at least become familiar with it so you can have an informed opinion.
UPDATE:
[CLICK TO ENLARGE]
Bitrate Calculator
Calculate your storage needs with the 4K Video Bitrate Calculator
Until next time…
Vashi Nedomansky
vashivisuals.com
@vashikoo
One Comment
Hi. I shoot events in 4k and save them to USB for my customers. My avg render is 45 minutes to an hour which equals anywhere from 25-40gb for which I am forced to decrease the bitrate from 80 to as low as 7 to fit it on a USB that is readable on most general TVs. I am aware of the 2 choice formats on USBs however most TVs only read exfat which has a 4gb per file limit! I have read and read and read about bitrate with no luck on compressing without loosing 4k. There has to be a way! Hollywood movies in 4k are sold on dvds. How do they do it????