Nowadays, both Windows and Mac variants of Adobe Premiere Pro can convert MOV to ProRes 422 without using any of the Apple applications or a third-party program. Pros: Adobe Premiere Pro is used by professionals in industry-standard post-production projects like Hollywood movies, commercial advertisements, documentaries, etc. Apple ProRes is one of the most popular video formats in professional video production and post-production. ProRes is a codec technology developed by Apple for high-quality, high-performance editing in Final Cut Pro X.
by Christine Smith • 2020-10-28 17:27:33 • Proven solutions
When compared to ProRes, MP4 has a better compression ratio that saves a decent amount of space on your storage media. ProRes files are quite larger in size, and as far as the picture quality is concerned, the difference between the two is almost negligible. Considering this, the obvious question is, “Why do professionals convert MP4 to ProRes?” Although the answer is a bit technical, things are easy to understand even if you don’t have an in-depth understanding of video formats and how your GPU processes the data. Here you will learn about the critical differences between ProRes and MP4 files, why most professionals convert MP4 to ProRes, and what tools do (or can) they to get this done.
Part 1. What Are the Differences Between ProRes and MP4
Developed and introduced by Apple Inc. in the year 2007 with the public release of Final Cut Studio 2, ProRes is a codec that, unlike H.264 and H.265 that use MP4 as file extension, loosely compresses the footages, thus preparing them for post-production processes.
MP4 Files
MP4 files are GOP (Group of Pictures) and are smaller in size as they are compressed using H.264 or H.265 codecs. Because of this, the GPU has to make additional efforts to de-compress and compute the data they store before displaying a video on your screen during the playback. The condition stands true even during the editing process. Since the post-production tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, etc. engage the GPU to de-compress an MP4 file, you cannot take full advantage of the hardware.
Furthermore, H.264 and H.265 are 8-bit codecs, and therefore you get limited shades when it comes to color grading while working with MP4 files.
ProRes Files
On the other hand, ProRes is an I-frame (individual frame) files where each video frame is compressed individually. Although this significantly increases the size, it makes it extremely simple for the GPU to process and display the frames on the screen during playback. Also, due to this exact reason, the editing tools don’t have to engage the GPU unnecessarily while making modifications to the clips during the post-production processes.
In addition to this, unlike MP4, ProRes is a 10-bit codec, which means that you get more room to work with color grading as compared to H.264 and H.265.
Assuming that you have now clearly understood why professionals prefer ProRes over MP4, the remaining two parts that follow from this point onward discuss the most recommended tools and methods to convert MP4 to ProRes.
Part 2. How to Convert MP4 to ProRes in Most Recommended Way
A widely appreciated tool by both Windows and Mac users across the globe is Wondershare UniConverter (originally Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate). UniConverter is a universal converter that supports more than 1,000 extensions and can recognize and convert almost all significant formats to their relevant ones. The program is also lightweight and can perform all the conversion tasks around 30x faster than other post-production applications.
Wondershare UniConverter - Best MP4 to ProRes Converter
- Convert MP4 videos to ProRes codec and other 1000+ video formats like MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.
- Convert MP4 video files with optimized presets for Final Cut Pro, iMovie, iPhone, iPad, and more devices.
- 30X faster conversion speed than any conventional converters.
- Edit MP4 video files with trimming, cropping, cutting, merging, adding subtitles, etc.
- Burn MP4 videos to DVD with customized free DVD menu templates.
- Download or record videos from 10,000+ video sharing sites.
- Industry-leading APEXTRANS technology converts videos with zero quality loss or video compression.
- Versatile toolbox combines video metadata editor, GIF maker, video compressor, and screen recorder.
- Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14, 10.13, 10.12, 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7, 10.6.
Security Verified, 8,301,864 people have downloaded it
You can learn how to use Wondershare UniConverter to convert MP4 to ProRes by following the simple steps:
Note: At the time of this writing, only the Mac version of Wondershare UniConverter can transcode MP4 to ProRes.
Step 1 Click Add Files and Import an MP4 Video.
Launch Wondershare UniConverter on your Mac computer running the latest version of macOS (macOS Catalina at the time of this writing), check from the top of the interface and ensure that you are on the Video Converter tile, click Add Files from the center of the window, select the MP4 video you want to transcode, and click Load.
Step 2 Go to Editing and Select ProRes.
Click Output Format from the bottom section, go to the Editing tab from the top, and select ProRes from the list of formats in the left. As for the resolution, choose your preferred one from the right (Same as the source is selected here for illustration).
Step 3 Click Convert to Transcode.
Choose a folder to save the transcoded file from the Output field at the bottom, and click Convert to begin transcoding MP4 to ProRes at 30x faster conversion speed with Wondershare UniConverter.
Part 3. Other 4 Converters Recommended to Convert MP4 to ProRes
A couple of other tools recommended to transcode MP4 to ProRes in the absence of Wondershare UniConverter are listed below:
- Final Cut Pro X
One of the most appreciated post-production tools by Apple, Final Cut Pro X, can easily convert MP4 to ProRes without using any other third-party program. Since Apple Inc. develops both ProRes and FCPX, they are fully compatible with each other, without giving much overhead to the GPU.
Pros:
- Final Cut Pro X is well-known for its simple UI and fast rendering.
Cons:
- FCPX is expensive and is available for USD 299.99 at the time of this writing.
Adobe Premiere Pro is yet another post-production tool used by most professionals who work as full-time editors to produce industry-standard outputs distributed for commercial gains. After Adobe collaborates with Apple, Premiere Pro can recognize and transcode MP4 to ProRes from its Export Settings box.
Pros:
- Both Windows and Mac variants can convert MP4 to ProRes with ease.
Cons:
- Premiere Pro is a part of Creative Cloud Suite and requires a monthly or annual subscription plan to be purchased post expiration of its 7-days trial period.
- iMovie
iMovie is also a product of Apple Inc. and is available for both iOS and macOS devices. The application can be downloaded from the App Store and is free to use. With FCPX and Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie has a box called Movie Settings that lets you easily transcode MP4 to ProRes.
Pros:
- iMovie is simple to use as compared to Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X.
Prores Codecs For Mac
Cons:
- The program is only available for Apple devices, i.e., iOS and macOS operating systems.
Developed by VideoSolo, Free Video Converter can be installed on Windows and Mac computers, and both the variants are capable of converting MP4 to ProRes. Since the program's interface is simple, even a novice user can perform the transcoding tasks without any additional help or being highly technical.
Pros:
- Free Video Converter is free to obtain and use.
Cons:
- A pro version of the program might be needed to expedite the conversion process. The transcoding remains slow in the free variant of the software.
Conclusion
Although you can use MP4 files in the post-production applications to edit them for commercial distribution, unlike ProRes, MP4 may lag during the process, especially if your PC specifications are not competent. That is where a third-party tool like Wondershare UniConverter comes into the picture that, because of being lightweight, can transcode MP4 to ProRes around 30x faster than other conversion applications.
ProRes has gained in popularity as an intermediate codec. In this post we share tips for using ProRes in your video workflow.
When I began my career I was editing a lot of video in Final Cut 7, so ProRes naturally was my best friend. When I made the brief jump to Avid and then quickly turned to Premiere Pro, ProRes came along for the ride. With more and more high-end cameras shooting RAW and programs like Premiere having the ability to read those RAW files natively, as of late ProRes has been dwindling within my workflow. However, if you’re shooting a project with a short turnaround time, you can’t go wrong with ProRes.
1. Know Your Formats
There are a total of six ProRes formats. These formats range from extreme compression to minimal compression rates. It’s important to note that each ProRes format supports all of the current frame sizes such as SD, HD, 2K, 4K & 5K. So lets take a quick look at each codec and the data rate specs for each frame size.
Prores Codec For Premiere Mac
Frame Dimensions | Frame Rate | ProRes 4444 | ProRes 422 (HQ) | ProRes 422 | ProRes 422 (LT) | ProRes 422 (Proxy) |
720 x 486 | 23.98 fps | 75 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 34 Mbps | 23 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
720 x 486 | 25 fps | 79 Mbps | 52 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 24 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
720 x 486 | 29.97 fps | 94 Mbps | 63 Mbps | 42 Mbps | 29 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
720 x 576 | 23.98 fps | 88 Mbps | 59 Mbps | 39 Mbps | 27 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
720 x 576 | 25 fps | 92 Mbps | 61 Mbps | 41 Mbps | 28 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
720 x 576 | 29.97 fps | 110 Mbps | 73 Mbps | 49 Mbps | 34 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
960 x 720 | 23.98 fps | 113 Mbps | 75 Mbps | 50 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
960 x 720 | 25 fps | 118 Mbps | 79 Mbps | 52 Mbps | 36 Mbps | 16 Mbps |
960 x 720 | 29.97 fps | 141 Mbps | 94 Mbps | 63 Mbps | 44 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
1280 x 720 | 23.98 fps | 132 Mbps | 88 Mbps | 59 Mbps | 41 Mbps | 18 Mbps |
1280 x 720 | 25 fps | 138 Mbps | 92 Mbps | 61 Mbps | 42 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
1280 x 720 | 29.97 fps | 165 Mbps | 110 Mbps | 73 Mbps | 51 Mbps | 23 Mbps |
1440 x 1080 | 23.98 fps | 226 Mbps | 151 Mbps | 101 Mbps | 70 Mbps | 31 Mbps |
1440 x 1080 | 25 fps | 236 Mbps | 157 Mbps | 105 Mbps | 73 Mbps | 32 Mbps |
1440 x 1080 | 29.97 fps | 283 Mbps | 189 Mbps | 126 Mbps | 87 Mbps | 38 Mbps |
1920 x 1080 | 23.98 fps | 264 Mbps | 176 Mbps | 117 Mbps | 82 Mbps | 36 Mbps |
1920 x 1080 | 25 fps | 275 Mbps | 184 Mbps | 122 Mbps | 85 Mbps | 38 Mbps |
1920 x 1080 | 29.97 fps | 330 Mbps | 220 Mbps | 147 Mbps | 102 Mbps | 45 Mbps |
2048 x 1152 | 23.98 fps | 302 Mbps | 201 Mbps | 134 Mbps | 93 Mbps | 41 Mbps |
2048 x 1152 | 25 fps | 315 Mbps | 210 Mbps | 140 Mbps | 97 Mbps | 43 Mbps |
2048 x 1152 | 29.97 fps | 377 Mbps | 251 Mbps | 168 Mbps | 116 Mbps | 52 Mbps |
2. Encoding with Variable Bitrate
Variable Bitrate (VBR) allows ProRes to be economical with video storage, without damaging the visuals. This type of damage will sometimes occur when max bitrate is exceeded with codecs that are fixed. So for instance, if we encode an action sequence, ProRes can use a higher data rate which will ensure that image loss is negated and the detail of the video remains. Then say, we have a simple two-shot dialogue sequence. ProRes reallocates only the bitrate needed. Being able to vary bitrate based on the material is pretty impressive.
3. Question of Storage and RAW Usage
Prores Converter For Mac
While ProRes is a larger file size than H.264, it falls well short of the storage cost of RAW formats such as RED RAW. With that said, for most video professionals ProRes is the codec of choice for any work relating to a project that needs a quick turnaround time.
However, many professionals agree that if you are working on a project where more time can be devoted to the project, you’ll want to go with RAW. Even though ProRes 4444 retains a wealth of image information, this data is still far less than what you get with RAW.
RAW assures you that you are getting the least compression. I’ve found that by using RED RAW over ProRes I have far more flexibility in post. If not much time can be devoted to post, then I’ll transcode to ProRes 422 in order to speed up my editing process. Working with RAW 4K footage can be taxing on your editing system.
Here is a nice video comparison of ProRes going head to head with CinemaDNG through a Blackmagic Cinema Camera (video by Tom Majerski):
4. You Can Edit Outside of Final Cut Pro X
While this seems like a no-brainer it’s a misconception that I’ve found with quite a few inexperienced video producers and filmmakers. I’ve heard “I thought you could only use ProRes in Final Cut” a few more times than I care to admit. ProRes is supported by all of the major editing softwares such as Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer & Lightworks.
5. ProRes is a 10-bit Codec
The basic train of thought is the higher the bit number, the higher the quality of the video. Bits give us an idea on how many colors are being captured during filming (for most DSLRs you’ll be capturing 8-bit video). But ProRes is a 10 bit codec, so that means it can process a lot more color data. It’s a good rule of thumb that even if you capture 8-bit video using a DSLR (like a Canon 5D Mark III), you can convert that to ProRes and take advantage of the 10 bit encoding, which can make the color correction process easier.
The folks at Atomos put it like this:
Even if your camera only outputs 8 bit video, it’s still better to work with a 10 bit codec, because all subsequent editing and processing will be done at the higher resolution. Imagine, even if your original was only 8 bit, adding a subtle colour tint. If you did that at only 8 bit resolution, you’d be adding contours to contours, whereas with 10 bit per channel resolution, you’ll get a much smoother effect. The bottom line is that it’s much better to work at 10 bit resolution than 8 bit, whatever the source of your video.
What do you think of ProRes? Is it your codec of choice? Share in the comments below.