Transcoding vs. proxies - should I change my workflow?

[mosquito87]

I'm filming with my DJI Mavic Pro and Panasonic G81 (4k, sometimes Full HD). I learned that those "systems" are using codes which are "easy" (or fast) to record, but slow to play (ok, if you just play them - bad if you edit them).

For this reason I transcode them to GoPro Cineform YUV 10-bit.

This is my workflow:

• Shoot the material (obviously).
• Import the original material to Premiere Pro.
• I let Premiere Pro interpret footage so that I get least possible FPS (23.976 FPS).
• I move ALL the stuff to a "Select" sequence and watch the stuff inside this sequence in Premiere Pro and move the "interesting" parts to different sequences.
• I let Premiere transcode all sequences (except the "Select" sequence) to to GoPro Cineform YUV 10-bit.
• I use the transcoded project to edit the video.

Why am I doing this?

I think that editing on the transcoded material is faster (with my slow machine). And by only transcoding the "interesting" material, I save disk space. However, the transcoded material still needs a lot of disk space (and time to transcode).

I could use proxies - but using proxies I lose resolution and quality during editing (important e.g. on zoom transitions, where I need to see all details).

What do you think about my workflow? Does it make sense? Should I change something?

I use Premiere Pro CC 2018 with (quite a slow) Windows machine.

[Meg The Dog]

If it is working for you, I don't see why you would want to change your workflow.

Personally, I prefer to transcode all the source footage to a consistent, edit friendly codec, but your method of narrowing down the amount of material for transcode is fine if it works well for you.

MtD

[Christian.Z · Accepted solution]

If you are asking, it means that there is something bothering you with your workflow.
I'll give you mine, and that might help.

1- Transcoding and interpreting footage are useless, since both will be taken care of on exporting.

2- Save yourself space and rely on Proxies instead. I was very hesitant about proxies because I needed to "see" what i'm editing in high quality. I was brave enough to jump to an extremely low quality proxy setting (SD with 2mbps, and a small "proxy" watermark on the bottom left) that saved me tons of space, made my editing way smoother and when I needed to zoom in for masking purposes, it only took a click of a button to be able to see full quality again! I love proxies, trust they will become your best friend. My preview files however, are the highest possible (not higher than the original files of course)

3- Do not consolidate, It will confuse you with the proxies. when creating your proxy preset, you will need to set the frame rate to match source. And if you consolidate, your proxies are going to be different. Instead, color your clips that have different frame rates (23.976 = Blue, 59.94 = pink and 119.88 = orange) This way you can visually see on your timeline which clips you can slow motion and by how much.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate. I'm here to help.