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What causes incorrect frame rates when using ProRes 422 HQ?
Exporting to ProRes 422 HQ can sometimes result in the output video having an incorrect frame rate, even if the source footage has the correct frame rate.
This issue is not limited to ProRes 422 HQ - users have also reported problems with incorrect frame rates when exporting to other ProRes formats like ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 LT.
The incorrect frame rate issue seems to be more prevalent when dealing with 23.98 or 29.97 fps source footage.
Exporting to a constant 23.98 fps using H.265 compression can sometimes fix the problem.
Interestingly, exporting to H.264 or H.265 (Main 10) codecs instead of ProRes 422 HQ has been found to properly reproduce the original clip frame rates in some cases.
The ProRes 422 HQ codec is designed for 4:2:2 image sources and has a higher data rate than standard ProRes 422, but this higher quality comes at the cost of larger file sizes.
Experts recommend using ProRes 422 for lower-bandwidth footage like HDV, XDCAM HD, or DVCPRO HD, and reserving ProRes 422 HQ for higher-quality sources like R3D, HDCAM, or 2K footage.
Interestingly, the ProRes 422 LT codec, which has a lower data rate than standard ProRes 422, has been reported to sometimes produce inconsistent or incorrect frame rates as well.
One potential workaround suggested by users is to first import the footage into Handbrake, set the frame rate to a constant 23.98 fps, and then export using the H.265 2160p 4K preset.
The root cause of the incorrect frame rate issue when using ProRes 422 HQ appears to be related to how the codec handles variable frame rate (VFR) source material.
While ProRes codecs are known for their high quality, they may not always be the best choice for every video project, especially when dealing with challenging frame rate requirements.
It's important to thoroughly test any ProRes export settings, particularly when working with 23.98 or 29.97 fps footage, to ensure the final output has the correct frame rate.
The latest versions of video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro have continued to refine their ProRes export functionality, but the frame rate issues persist for some users.
Interestingly, the ProRes 4444 XQ codec, which was introduced more recently, has a target data rate of approximately 500 Mbps for 4:4:4 sources at 29.97 fps, potentially offering improved frame rate handling.
The ProRes 422 codec, while not as data-intensive as ProRes 422 HQ, still offers nearly all the benefits of its higher-quality counterpart, but at a 66% lower data rate for better real-time editing performance.
It's worth noting that the ProRes codec family was originally developed by Apple for use in its Final Cut Pro video editing software, but it has since been widely adopted by other video professionals and software tools.
Some users have reported that enabling the "Match Source" settings in their video export options can help ensure the correct frame rate is maintained when exporting to ProRes 422 HQ.
The ProRes 422 HQ codec is often praised for its ability to preserve visual quality while still offering relatively efficient file sizes, but the frame rate challenges can be a point of frustration for some users.
Interestingly, the ProRes codec family is designed to offer a range of quality and performance options, with ProRes 422 Proxy being the most compressed and ProRes 4444 XQ being the highest quality.
While the ProRes 422 HQ codec may not always handle frame rates perfectly, it remains a popular choice for many video professionals due to its overall high-quality performance and broad industry support.
As with any video codec, it's important to thoroughly test and evaluate the ProRes 422 HQ settings to ensure they meet the specific needs of each video project, especially when dealing with challenging frame rate requirements.
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