8bpc or 16bpc for broadcast - Prores 422HQ

[Uzezi22417518ior8]

Hi everyone, 

I'm about rendering a Prores 422HQ 25fps upper field first file for broadcast TV. Should I set the bpc to 8 or 16? 8bpc is ticked by default. Should o change it? Which will pass QC?

[R Neil Haugen · Accepted solution]

I used to always say the 8bpc is fine. But in some intense testing by @Jarle Leirpoll he found that indeed, setting the 16bpc switch is wise in both seqeunce settings and in exports for many things ... especially 'upper' Q DNx and ProRes formats.

So ... probably the 16bpc option is at least safest if not wise or (quite possibly) necessary.

Neil

[Uzezi22417518ior8]

Thanks for your quick response. I appreciate

[alphabetikal]

thanks for this

[proevolution25044033govh]

I read that using the option ,,Render at Maximum Depth" automatically sets the depth to 32 bpc and there is no need to choose 16 bpc, is that right?

[R Neil Haugen]

That is the way it clearly used to work ... but in testing by Jarle, and replicated by me ... don't assume so anymore. If you need that bit depth, check the 16bpc box also. Simply "work safe".