Proxy File Size when Converting Red 8k Raw files for workflow

[jpdirector]

We are setting up workflow to edit a feature film which was shot entirely in Red 8k Raw Files. We will be using the brand new iMac Pro so computing power should not be an issue, however we are trying to determine how much space we will need to prepare with our G-Drive Raid set up. While the math seems like it should be easy, that has proven to not be the case. If anyone has any info on what the conversion ratio is for file size of the proxy files in this case we would greatly appreciate it? I understand that the setting choices and codecs we choose will make a big difference, so we're wondering what the best choice is here to optimize high quality smooth playback during the edit. We have a grand total of 15T of Raw media files, so once the proxy files are linked to them, how much space will be needed to house it all? Ultimately, the consensus is that we keep them all together in the same destination for smooth workflow and to help near the end of the project when we are getting ready to start doing outputs of the film. I've read on some blogs and forums that the proxy files end up being as much as 1/2 or 3/4 the size of the Raw files. That means we need 32T? of space just for this movie to house the media? That seems crazy. We are doing some tests now, but even locating the size of each individual proxy file and then doing the math looking forward is tough.

Thank you!

[excited_Genie16B8]

Cineform is my preferred choice here.  Coming from AVCHD, they may well be even larger than the original media.  Coming from 8K RED RAW, they'll be significantly smaller.  I'd be surprised if you needed more than 20 TB.

[jpdirector]

Thanks Jim! Yeah, we think so too as the 8k files are so big. We just want to prepare up front you know? Also, this is so helpful to me as I have an old NX Cam that I really love and use to shoot small projects, actor's reels and scenes, (I own a performing arts theatre in LA) and that camera shoots in AVCHD format. I have recently switched over permanently to Premiere from FC 7 after 20 years in FC and when I did a small project transcoding the AVCHD files I was not sure which settings to choose and went with H264 which is just okay quality. I will try the Cineform for that. Thanks again. Hope to hear more people's opinions on the best choice for the Raw proxy conversion settings.

[excited_Genie16B8]

The point of proxies is to make editing easier.  Given the inherent difficulty in decoding H.264, I'm at a loss to explain why Adobe thought an H.264 proxy option would be at all helpful.

On Windows, the only viable option is Cineform.  Mac's can also use ProRes, which edits and looks as good as Cineform.  But I just prefer Cineform's CQ encoding over the VBR method used by ProRes.

If you create a custom Proxy preset with a Cineform Quality setting of 2, you might find the quality more than sufficient for the work and the file sizes very manageable.

[Warren Heaton]

Since your on a Mac, I'd go with Apple ProRes over Cineform.

At 1920x1080, Apple ProRes breaks down as follows:

• Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) about 1.3 GB/minute
• Apple ProRes 422 about 1 GB/minute
• Apple ProRes 422 (LT) about 700 MB/minute
• Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) about 350 MB/minute

If you use the default Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) preset at 1280x720, you'll be under 350 MB/minute.

[jpdirector]

Thank you!

[excited_Genie16B8 · Accepted solution]

If you use the default Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) preset at 1280x720, you'll be under 350 MB/minute.

With Cineform at Quality 2, I saw under 250 MB/minute.