ProRes max datarate over firewire 800?

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Nik Manning

Well-known member
Okay ProRes codec can do 4:2:2 1080p over firewire 800 at 220mbps. What is the maximum datarate that can be done over firewire 800? Can firewire 800 handle 270mbps? If so that should be enough to do 2K recording in the future, right? Can it do 350 mbps? If so maybe that could do 4k or 1080p in 4:4:4 colorspace. Obviously the ProRes codec is amazing, but I am just wondering how far they can go over the firewire 800 port. I know it says 800mbps in the firewire 800 spec but that is not real world. So if anyone can help please do. Thanks
 
OK, a couple of things, the ProRes codec is not constrained to FW800, I believe your getting that from the Aja I/O HD breakout box.

Also, the ProRes codec is a codec that was designed for post production. For the most part, all of the other codecs were designed by camera manufacturers to record video to tape and they were constrained by the bandwidth/density of the media. Since computers do not have the same constraint, you are correct, the ProRes codec should be able to handle 2k and 4k. There are two other post production codecs that can already do 2k and 4k, Sheer Video and Cineform.

I found it odd that Aja would use FW800 rather than a SATA interface. I guess they went with an interface that provides the greatest portability [since every mac has a FW800 port] rather than performance.
 
Thanks ChuckS, I knew it wasn't constrained to firewire but I was thinking how far they could go if they continued to use firewire. Basically is there any chance that if I bought the ioHD would they be able to come out with a
update that does 2K resolution. As it stands ProRes is a fantastic codec for broadcast masters but what if you are doing theatrical releases and require a 2k master.


So I want to know what is the max bit rate that can be obtained over firewire 800 in real world setting? I read a review here for G-Raid and Lacie Big Disk and the sustained write time was 51MB. Lets say on average it can stay at 45MB reliably then that would equal 360 mbps. That is over double the ProRes 220 mbps. I just would love if some one very familiar with the firewire spec would step in and clarify my thinking.

Also I think it was a cool move on there part using firewire 800 as it lets editors use the faster SATA interface for storage. Thanks
 
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