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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Final Cut Pro 10.1.2 - Now with Apple ProRes 4444 XQ! Anyone know what that is?

It's a higher data rate version of 4444 hence the HQ, high quality.

I have already installed the new version and massive projects and libraries updated very quickly.

the whole experience is snappier too, they cleaned up a lot of code.

Just keeps getting better.

https://www.apple.com/it/final-cut-pro/whats-new/

Battistella
 
Pure, 100% guess, but is XQ a 16-bit version of 'normal' 4444? That would be roughly 33% larger than 4444, and would be keeping up with more and more cameras/software outputting or needing higher than 12-bit.

Did Apple update the white paper on ProRes? I'm on set, so my Google-fu is weak.
 
The arri Amira will be capable of capturing this higher data rate codec.

Obviously, Prores, even at the highest data rates 4444 was not quite holding up (the way DPX and REDcode raw might) so they've introduced this new flavor Asa heavy post codec.

Prores is a good efficient codec, I'd like to hope they cleared up the wonky gamma shifts. The only really reliable gamma is, 4444.

battistella
 
Have you had a chance to scrutinize or compare this codec with the other flavors yet, David? Have you formulated any thoughts or opinions? Any notes on file size, playback, etc?
 
It's installed like any other qt codec on a Mac, so you are just instructing the software, resolve, AE and probably avid on a Mac, could output this codec.

battistella
 
Prores 4444 XQ is still a 12 bit codec, but it is designed for HDR images many modern cameras are capable of. It is roughly double data rate around 500 Mbs and obviously allows lower compression, hence higher quality. Standard 4444 wasn't quite capable to handle HDR. At the time it was designed to work within confines of Rec-709. Obviously, that is no longer good enough. Apparently Amira is the first camera designed with 4444 XQ in mind and it will be taking advantage of this new codec. And so I hear is Sony. Prores 4444 XQ is part of standard collection of Apple codecs, meaning all software manufacturers will be able to use it on OSX, as long as it is 10.8 and higher. 4444 never had an issue with gamma shifts, as it is an RGB codec unlike 422 codecs, that are YUV. hence all 422 codecs were prone to gamma shifts...
 
jake blackstone said:
Prores 4444 XQ is still a 12 bit codec, but it is designed for HDR images many modern cameras are capable of. It is roughly double data rate around 500 Mbs and obviously allows lower compression, hence higher quality. Standard 4444 wasn't quite capable to handle HDR. At the time it was designed to work within confines of Rec-709. Obviously, that is no longer good enough. Apparently Amira is the first camera designed with 4444 XQ in mind and it will be taking advantage of this new codec. And so I hear is Sony. Prores 4444 XQ is part of standard collection of Apple codecs, meaning all software manufacturers will be able to use it on OSX, as long as it is 10.8 and higher. 4444 never had an issue with gamma shifts, as it is an RGB codec unlike 422 codecs, that are YUV. hence all 422 codecs were prone to gamma shifts...
Click to expand...

super informative post. Thanks, Jake!
 
jake blackstone said:
Apparently Amira is the first camera designed with 4444 XQ in mind and it will be taking advantage of this new codec. And so I hear is Sony.
Click to expand...

Where did you read that the Amira will be 4444 XQ enabled? So far all I'm seeing is that the Alexa XT/XR will include this, with a firmware update coming in August.
 
joe hedge said:
Where did you read that the Amira will be 4444 XQ enabled? So far all I'm seeing is that the Alexa XT/XR will include this, with a firmware update coming in August.
Click to expand...


Seems some of those references are no longer on the Apple FCP what's new website.

The no film school website breaks down the white paper pretty well.

http://nofilmschool.com/2014/06/apple-new-prores-4444-xq-codec-final-cut-x-10-1-2/

ARRI-ALEXA-ProRes-4444-XQ-Codecs_03.jpg



Apple-ProRes-Data-Rates-Up-to-1080p.jpg


Apple-ProRes-Data-Rates-2K-and-Up.jpg


Apple-ProRes-Data-Rates-vs-Uncompressed.jpg


Battistella
 
Ah. David beat me to it. I did want to add Apple's quote from their white paper:

The highest-quality version of Apple ProRes for 4:4:4:4 image sources (including alpha channels), with a very high data rate to preserve the detail in high-dynamic-range imagery generated by today’s highest-quality digital image sensors. Apple ProRes 4444 XQ preserves dynamic ranges several times greater than the dynamic range of Rec. 709 imagery—even against the rigors of extreme visual effects processing, in which tone-scale blacks or highlights are stretched significantly. Like standard Apple ProRes 4444, this codec supports up to 12 bits per image channel and up to 16 bits for the alpha channel. Apple ProRes 4444 XQ features a target data rate of approximately 500 Mbps for 4:4:4 sources at 1920 x 1080 and 29.97 fps.


To add an additional thought into the mix. There is some healthy motivation for the industry to move to 12 bit deliverables for in home display. H.265 is also in line with that.
 
Share 4K video to Vimeo sounds interesting
 
Phil Holland said:
To add an additional thought into the mix. There is some healthy motivation for the industry to move to 12 bit deliverables for in home display. H.265 is also in line with that.
Click to expand...
Although... there isn't a single consumer video display I know of that can even do 10 bits at the moment.
 
forget distribution bigger is always better! it doesn't have to make sense! i am a firm believer in this, rationality is irrelevant to the consumer mind set, so is reality...bigger is better, smaller is better, faster is better, marketing over form AND function is everything! and i'm not being sarcastic...
 
This will become the new mezzanine delivery format for UHD pretty much overnight. Currently, Amazon Studios, etc. - want ProRes for their UHD mezzanine delivery file for UHD VOD/Streaming platforms.
 
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