Uploading highest quality to YouTube

[Offbeat Bryce Productions]

I know that YouTube reccomends to upload h264 mp4 video file but wouldn't it be better up export the highest quality video before uploading to YouTube? For example could I export my timeline as cineform 10 bit and upload that to Youtube? Wouldn't that look far better than a compressed mp4 file on YouTube? From my understanding YouTube compresses the video even further when it uploads.

[Richard TOULON · Accepted solution]

Alright, Yes Youtube re encode your video. But what few people knows is that you can send others kind of codecs. For example, Pro Res is allowed even if it's not clearly said. If you are on PC, try different file formats like DNX or Cineform for your render and see what's going on. I don't know if you'll clearly see a difference as some H264 with high bitrate are pretty good but you can have a try and tell us .

[excited_Genie16B8]

I've found that YouTube will indeed accept Cineform files.  Go for it.

[R Neil Haugen]

As noted by Jim and riklard, YouTube accepts Cineform & DNx files. And with both seems to get around the problem some have sending H.264 files to YouTube, where they're not re-encoded properly and the levels and gamma are both off a bit.

So ... yea, either way, you've a better chance at getting better quality.

Neil

[Kevin-Monahan]

I use ProRes 422 if on Mac. Looks great.

Cheers,

Kevin