Types of Apple Prores Codecs

A brief introduction to the various types of Apple ProRes formats with a link to download the full Apple White Paper.

The Apple ProRes format comes in six versions: Apple ProRes 4444XQ, Apple ProRes 4444, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (LT), and Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy). The following list describes the features of each version. For a complete comparison of the relative data rates of the Apple ProRes codecs, see Apple ProRes Format Specifications.

Apple ProRes 4444 XQ

The highest-quality version of ProRes for 4:4:4:4 image sources (including alpha channels), with a very high data rate to preserve the detail in high-dynamic-range imagery generated by today’s highest-quality digital image sensors.

Apple ProRes 4444 XQ preserves dynamic ranges several times greater than the dynamic range of Rec. 709 imagery—even against the rigors of extreme visual effects processing, in which tone-scale blacks or highlights are stretched significantly. Like standard Apple ProRes 4444, this codec supports up to 12 bits per image channel and up to 16 bits for the alpha channel.

Apple ProRes 4444 XQ features a target data rate of approximately 500 Mbps for 4:4:4 sources at 1920 x 1080 and 29.97 fps.
Note: Apple ProRes 4444 XQ requires OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or later

Apple ProRes 4444

The Apple ProRes 4444 codec offers the utmost possible quality for 4:4:4 sources and for workflows involving alpha channels. It includes the following features:

• Full-resolution, mastering-quality 4:4:4:4 RGBA color (an online-quality codec for editing and finishing 4:4:4 material, such as that originating from Sony HDCAM SR or digital cinema cameras such as RED ONE, Thomson Viper FilmStream, and Panavision Genesis cameras). The R, G, and B channels are lightly compressed, with an emphasis on being perceptually indistinguishable from the original material.
• Lossless alpha channel with real-time playback
• High-quality solution for storing and exchanging motion graphics and composites
• For 4:4:4 sources, a data rate that is roughly 50 percent higher than the data rate of Apple ProRes 422 (HQ)
• Direct encoding of, and decoding to, RGB pixel formats
• Support for any resolution, including SD, HD, 2K, 4K, and other resolutions
• A Gamma Correction setting in the codec’s advanced compression settings pane, which allows you to disable the 1.8 to 2.2 gamma adjustment that can occur if RGB material at 2.2 gamma is misinterpreted as 1.8. This setting is also available with the Apple ProRes 422 codec.
• Recording at 1080/25p, 1 minute of media will take 2.3GB, or alternatively a 32GB card will record 13.9 mins

Apple ProRes 422 (HQ)

The Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) codec offers the utmost possible quality for 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 sources (without an alpha channel) and provides the following:

• Target data rate of approximately 220 Mbps (1920 x 1080 at 60i)
• Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422
• Recording at 1080/25p, 1 minute of media will take 1.6GB, or alternatively a 32GB card will record 20 mins

Apple ProRes 422

The Apple ProRes 422 codec provides the following:

• Target data rate of approximately 145 Mbps (1920 x 1080 at 60i)
• Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (LT)
• Recording at 1080/25p, 1 minute of media will take 1GB, or alternatively a 32GB card will record 32 mins

Apple ProRes 422 (LT)

The Apple ProRes 422 (LT) codec provides the following:

• Roughly 70 percent of the data rate of Apple ProRes 422 (thus, smaller file sizes than Apple ProRes 422)
• Higher quality than Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy)
• Recording at 1080/25p, 1 minute of media will take 734.7MB, or alternatively a 32GB card will record 43 mins

Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy)

The Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) codec is intended for use in offline workflows and provides the following:

• Roughly 30 percent of the data rate of Apple ProRes 422
• High-quality offline editing at the original frame size, frame rate, and aspect ratio
• High-quality edit proxy for Final Cut Server
• Recording at 1080/25p, 1 minute of media will take 337.3MB, or alternatively a 32GB card will record 94 mins

Download the full Apple White Paper on all Prores CODECS here.