ProRes codec is noticeably losing quality with 5d footage. HELP!

[BWyldeck]

Working on a commercial shot on 5d. The shots are very colourful and it is mandatory that the details in colour and contrast are maintained.

When I prores the h264 files, the saturation and contrast have been noticeably decreased. I've compared the h264 and the prores file next to each other and sure enough there is a noticable difference. I've used all the pres codecs including 4444 using streamclip and compressor with no such luck with results.

Naturally, I can't edit in h264 and I seem to remember that reconnecting back to h264 from pres is not a good idea (can't remember why?)

Can you help?

 

[Butcher]

When you're compressing to ProRes, go into your codec settings and see if Gamma correction is set to Auto. If it is, turn it off and compress an .h264 file - check to see if makes a difference.

 

[BWyldeck]

In Compressor or Streamclip?

 

[Butcher]

Both. I believe it defaults to Gamma Correction (it's called that or something like it) Auto. So just change it and recompress.

Any reason you aren't using Log and Transfer to bring these into Final Cut? Why run them through Compressor or Streamclip?

 

[BWyldeck]

What would log and transfer offer and how would I go about doing this? I've just had a look in Streamclip for the gamma option to turn on or off and I can't find anything. There is an ajustment section where I can boost saturation but it is set to 100 percent already. I can go further but then I would be guessing. Thanks for your help so far dude. Please stay with me

 

[Butcher]

Log and Transfer allows you to view all of your clips, add metadata, trim them (I think), then transcode only the ones you want to ProRes, ProResLT, 444, or HQ - and it goes directly into FCP. I think you can download the L&T Canon plugin here:

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_5d_mark_ii#DownloadDetailAct

Regarding the Gamma control: In compressor, make a droplet for ProRes. Open the Inspector, go to the Encoder tab, click on the video Settings...button, then change Gamma Correction from Automatic to None. Compress a clip, see if it helps. I don't know if it will, but it's worth a shot.

Let us know what results you get.

 

[Michael Carter]

Google 5DtoRGB as well - very useful tool for Canon footage. It retains more detail than other transcode methods. Also, try using a calibrated production monitor to check color - a lot of FCP/Quicktime issues come from how it displays the footage, not the footage itself (as I understand it anyway). Even the 5" marshall (it has blue only) and a blackmagic card is an eye opener. This isn't something you plug into a monitor output - you need a pci card based solution, the cheapest being the blackmagic or the Matrox Mini.

 

[Shane Ross]

If you want the highest quality, you really need to use 5DtoRBG, as Michael points out. It will take a LOT longer to convert, but that is because the quality is better.

And NEVER judge the quality using your computer monitors. ONly an external broadcast monitor. I use Grinder and Log and Transfer, and I don't see quality loss...

 

[Butcher]

Shane - how's the transcode time on Grinder versus L&T?

M.

 

[Shane Ross]

TONS faster...if you have a multi-processor mac. Because Grinder will throw one processor at each clip...if you have 8 processors, that means 8 clips being tackled at once.

 

[David Saraceno]

Shane - how's the transcode time on Grinder versus L&T?

M.

http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/magic-bullet-grinder/

All the features are there, and as Shane indicates, multi-processor support.

 

[kamidoko]

Hi, I found the same problem with any software converting h264 to prores422 included 5DtoRGB. Due to the problems to edit h264 I'm always working on prores422 but original h264 footage looks always better in color and quality (less artefacts).
I also was thinking to edit with converted prores422 material and than, at the end, just substitute the edited footage with the original h264 clips. It works, but as you introduce a cross dissolve or a filter, you have a visible quality loss in the rendered part.
Someone has some different experience or particular workflows?
Thank you.

 

[NoahK]

Hate to say it but ProRes doesn't do anything to degrade the image. More likely you're simply seeing effects that are being masked by the H.264 playback filtering. H.264 is a lossy codec to begin with and with the relatively bargain price of DSLR cameras compared to full blown camcorders with video-optimized codecs something's gotta give.

Noah