Quick Tutorials

What is ProRes and when should you use it?

Apple ProRes is one of the most widely used video codecs in professional post-production. Whether you’re editing high-resolution footage, working with multiple video streams, or looking for an efficient format that balances quality and performance, ProRes is a solid choice.

In this guide, we’ll break down what ProRes is, how it compares to other codecs like H.264, and which version of ProRes is right for your workflow.

Quick Overview: What Is ProRes?

Apple ProRes is a high-quality, intermediate video codec developed by Apple. Unlike consumer-oriented codecs such as H.264 or H.265, ProRes is designed for professional video editing. Its primary advantage is low compression complexity, which means that while the files are large, they are easier for your computer to edit and playback in real-time.

Key Features of ProRes:

• Editing-friendly: Optimized for smooth playback and real-time editing.

• High image quality: Retains excellent detail even after multiple generations of encoding.

• Low complexity: Less taxing on your CPU compared to highly compressed formats.

• Multiple quality levels: Different ProRes profiles offer flexibility based on your needs.

Now, let’s dive deeper into why ProRes is so widely used and how it compares to other codecs.

Understanding Video Codec Trade-Offs

Every video codec is designed with trade-offs in three key areas:

1. Compression: The reduction of data size while maintaining visual quality.

2. Quality: How closely the compressed video resembles the original footage.

3. Complexity: How demanding the codec is on your system for playback and editing.

Most consumer cameras, like iPhones and GoPros, use H.264 or H.265 (HEVC) because these codecs offer excellent image quality with small file sizes. However, the tradeoff is complexity—these formats are highly compressed, making them more difficult (for your computer) to edit.

ProRes, on the other hand, prioritizes quality and low complexity over file size. It produces much larger files than H.264 but allows for smoother playback and faster editing, making it ideal for professional post-production workflows.

The Different Types of ProRes

ProRes comes in multiple versions, each balancing quality, compression, and file size differently. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used ProRes formats:

ProRes 422 Family

This group is widely used for professional video editing.

• ProRes 422 Proxy: The lowest quality version, optimized for proxy editing when performance matters more than image quality.

• ProRes 422 LT: A lower-bitrate version that provides smaller file sizes while maintaining good quality.

• ProRes 422 (Standard): A great balance of quality and performance. Good for most editing workflows.

• ProRes 422 HQ: Higher bit rate for maximum quality while still being visually lossless. Best for high-end post-production.

ProRes 4444 Family

These versions preserve even more detail and support alpha channels for transparency.

• ProRes 4444: Maintains full color resolution (4:4:4 chroma subsampling), ideal for color grading and visual effects.

• ProRes 4444 XQ: The highest-quality version, designed for extreme dynamic range and color fidelity.

Key Difference Between 422 and 4444:

• ProRes 422 uses 4:2:2 chroma subsampling, meaning some color data is reduced to save space while keeping the image sharp.

• ProRes 4444 retains full-color information, making it ideal for color-sensitive tasks.

Keep in mind that your source footage determines the true benefits of using ProRes 4444. For example, an iPhone records in 4:2:0 chroma subsampling, so converting it to ProRes 4444 won’t magically improve color accuracy.

How ProRes Handles Bitrate and File Size

Unlike formats like H.264, where you manually set the bitrate, ProRes automatically adjusts the bitrate based on resolution and frame rate.

• Higher resolution = Higher bitrate

• Higher frame rate = Higher bitrate

For example, a 4K ProRes file has four times the data of a 1080p file, and a 60fps video will be twice as large as a 30fps version.

ProRes also uses variable bitrate (VBR), meaning it adjusts data usage based on the complexity of each frame. A simple title card with a solid white background and a logo or text using only a few different colors would require fewer bits than a highly detailed scene, keeping file sizes manageable without sacrificing quality.

What About ProRes RAW?

ProRes RAW is a separate format designed for capturing raw sensor data from high-end cameras. It offers the flexibility of raw video with the smooth performance of ProRes, making it ideal for color grading and HDR workflows.

While ProRes RAW files are larger than standard ProRes, they are still smaller than traditional raw formats while maintaining excellent image quality.

Delivering Videos: H.264 vs. ProRes

When it comes to delivering your final video, you might wonder whether you should export in ProRes or H.264—especially if your goal is to maintain the highest possible quality. Some people assume that uploading a ProRes file to YouTube or another platform will result in better playback quality, but in most cases, that’s not true.

Here’s why H.264 is the better choice for delivery in most cases:

1. Streaming Platforms Will Re-Encode Your Video Anyway

Platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media sites don’t keep your uploaded file as-is. Instead, they recompress it using their own settings to optimize it for streaming. This means that even if you upload a ProRes file, the platform will convert it to H.264 or AV1 for playback. Since ProRes files are much larger, you’re just slowing down your upload speed without gaining any visual benefits.

2. H.264 Offers an Excellent Balance of Quality and Compression

H.264 is an extremely efficient codec, meaning it provides high visual quality at a much smaller file size. A well-encoded H.264 file at a high bitrate (e.g., 15-50 Mbps for 1080p/4K) will look nearly identical to ProRes when viewed on platforms like YouTube. The key is to export at a high enough bitrate so that the video maintains good quality before the streaming platform compresses it further.

3. Faster Uploads and Storage Efficiency

ProRes files are massive—sometimes 10x the size of an H.264 file. If you’re delivering a video to a client, collaborator, or a streaming service, H.264 will save you significant upload time and storage space without a noticeable drop in quality.

4. When ProRes Makes Sense for Delivery

While H.264 is best for most online distribution, ProRes is still useful for certain professional deliveries, such as:

• Broadcast TV (where ProRes or other high-quality formats are standard)

• Film festivals or high-end screenings (where quality preservation is critical)

• Archival purposes (to maintain the best possible master copy for future use)

If you’re uploading to YouTube or sending a client a standard final video, exporting in H.264 (or HEVC/H.265 for better compression) is usually the smart choice. You’ll get fast uploads, efficient storage, and no visible loss in quality. Save ProRes for editing and mastering—not for online delivery.

ProRes Compatibility: macOS vs. Windows

Since ProRes is an Apple-developed codec, macOS has native support for reading and writing ProRes files.

On Windows, ProRes files can still be used in editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, but native playback requires third-party software. A common alternative for Windows users is DNxHD, which offers similar quality and performance.

Final Thoughts: When to Use ProRes

ProRes is an excellent choice for professional video editing when image quality and smooth performance are top priorities. While file sizes are larger than H.264, the benefits in real-time editing, multi-stream playback, and post-production flexibility make it a go-to format for filmmakers, editors, and motion graphics artists.

When to Use ProRes:

✔ Editing high-resolution video with minimal lag

✔ Working with multiple video layers or effects-heavy projects

✔ Delivering high-quality content for broadcast or professional post-production

✔ Maintaining the best possible image quality across multiple exports

When to Stick with H.264 or H.265:

✔ You need smaller file sizes for storage or web delivery

✔ You’re working on a simple project and don’t require high editing performance

✔ Your computer struggles with large ProRes files

That’s a wrap! Hopefully, this breakdown helped you understand the ProRes format and why it’s a favorite in the video production world. If you have any questions or want more content like this, let me know in the comments!