Settings for ProRes Low, Medium & High Proxies in Media Encoder

[chadandreo]

I usually create proxies through Premiere Pro using the Low, Medium and High Proxy settings, but recently, I tried to create proxies directly in Media Encoder, and I could not find those settings in the presets.

Are those settings available in Media Encoder?

Can they be created as a custom preset?

[MyerPj]

I have the presets here in my 24.2.1. Is it actually just the drop-down Full/Half/Quarter/Custom that you are referring to? Yes, by all means make a preset using ProRes Proxy and the size you want. I use 1280x720 for my ProRes proxies.

[John V Knowles]

Yeah those changed in 24.2.1. I think OP has an older version. 

[chadandreo]

Thanks for the replies. I have the latest version of Media Encoder and Premiere Pro.
When I try to create a custom ProRes Proxy Preset in Media Encoder, I do not see the option to change the stretch-to-fill setting to a way to change the bitrate.

[chadandreo]

*or a way to change the bitrate.

[John V Knowles]

see below.

[John V Knowles · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

The naming convention used for proxies in Premiere is very simplified so editors don't get bogged down in too many details. Here's how they would translate to a custom preset:

• High = ProRes Proxy, 1920x1080
• Medium = ProRes Proxy, 1280x720
• Low = ProRes Proxy, 960x540

One important note: the presets all contain the STRETCH TO FILL flag. This enables Premiere to stretch or squeeze the 16:9 proxy to fit the original aspect ratio if the raw footage is not 16:9. The proxy clip itself will look wrong on the desktop but correct inside Premiere. If you want to add this flag yourself when creating a preset, be sure to choose that "Stretch to Fill" option in the Scaling dropdown below the Preview window. 

ALSO: the Proxy menu is different in v24.2.1 now. Instead of High/Med/Low you can choose Full, Half, Quarter or Custom for the proxy size. This will base the Proxy size on the raw footage and not assign specific sizes. The Stretch to Fill flag is still present.

HTH!

JVK

[chadandreo]

Thanks

When I try to create a custom ProRes Proxy Preset in Media Encoder, I do not see the option to change the stretch-to-fill setting or a way to change the bitrate.

[John V Knowles]

Yeah, it's hard to do in Media Encoder because you need the Preview window. 

Quick Tip: when I create Encoding Presets, I actually do them in Premiere Pro. With your master clips on a matching timeline, go to EXPORT and change all the settings you'd like for the proxy files -- size, codec, LUT, image overlay, etc. For Stretch to Fill, you'll see those options at the bottom right of the Preview window. Note: if you're making ProRes proxies you can't change the bitrate; that's baked into the codec (choose ProRes Proxy for the lowest biterate). Then when you're done, don't export. Instead, choose the three dots next to the Preset menu and Save these options as a new preset. This is your ENCODING preset. 

Now, flip over to Media Encoder and create an INGEST preset. For Proxies creation you actually need both. In the Ingest preset options, select the Transcode option and choose the Encoding preset you just saved (if it doesn't show up in the menu, restart Media Encoder). Then save that Ingest preset with a unique name that will make sense to you in Premiere -- "1080 proxy stretched LUT" for example. Then import that custom Ingest preset into Premiere via the Proxy window by clicking the "Add Ingest Preset" button.