RED Raw vs ProRes 4:4:4

[Zeb B]

Noob question here:

What is the functional difference between SDI out to a recorder and RED Raw? Frame this question with the application of general commercial and studio work where light is controlled / balanced and work product delivered to 1080.

In what scenario is RED Raw essential and required over ProRes 4:4:4?

 

[Doug Beatty]

If you can get proper exposure under controlled lighting, there's no real discernible difference. The advantage of RAW is having the latitude to recover highlights, lift shadows, or change WB in post rather than having all of these baked into your ProRes files.

 

[Philip Powell]

Another note to remember, having nothing to do with Prores vs Raw, but recording vs rendering. Recording off the camera's HDSDI port won't give you slo-mo.

 

[Zeb B]

Another note to remember, having nothing to do with Prores vs Raw, but recording vs rendering. Recording off the camera's HDSDI port won't give you slo-mo.

DOOH!

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

With RAW, you are not locked (baked) into any particular look for your footage. With an RGB codec, like ProRes, you must apply some form of processing to get there, you must set white balance, mid-grey (ISO level) and apply a look. This can not be undone. Furthermore, with the RAW data, any future improvements to the de-bayer or RAW-processing algorithms can be retroactively applied to footage already shot. If RED comes out with a new de-bayer/ de-mosaic algorithm that offers an improved response in the blue channel or gains in the resolution or acquired detail, you can dust off your old footage and reap those benefits. The two examples I just used have already happened in the past -- both with the monumental Build 16 on the RED One.

Another note to remember, having nothing to do with Prores vs Raw, but recording vs rendering. Recording off the camera's HDSDI port won't give you slo-mo.

Nor will it allow you to use a multitude of other lower frame rates that don't align well with standardized 23.98/24, 25 or 29.97 output... You also can't record greater than 1080p via the SDI out on the RED One -- only 720p for live viewing. On the EPIC SDI output is currently limited to 1080p, that may change in the future with other modules. Best to record on-board in glorious RAW.

 

[Raphael Varandas]

NO pain no gain