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#1
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Best video codec for PT 2023
Without a background in video, I'm having a hard time understanding why I get such mixed results with video files I'm sent from various editors. On my older system, I had consistently good results from converting everything to DNxHD, but on my new Mac Mini M2 pro/Ventura/PT 2023 system, I'm not having great luck with that approach. These files are coming from a variety of platforms (AVID/Premier/Davinci), sometimes H264(both mp4 and mov) and sometimes ProREs or DNxHD. More often then not, PT becomes a bit laggy. Not totally unusable, but enough to slow me down when editing or a fast paced ADR session. But then, sometimes I'll get another file of the same type that is totally fine. I realize that there are several variations on these codecs and I'd like to be able to request a specific type, but I lack the knowledge to determine what the differences are.
I'd appreciate hearing what works best for others with a similar system. Thanks |
#2
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
Sometimes it helps to knock the resolution down while you are doing the transcode. I've found that even 720p isn't objectionable on my monitor during a mix. The smaller file size will help with PT stabilization but codec wise DNxHR and ProRes LT have always been spot on for me.
H264 can easily have issues with dropping frames and audio being out of sync so I avoid that at all costs. It's due to how the file compresses the data and removes frames to save space. It's also more taxing on the CPU due to the decode despite the smaller file size. If you haven't yet, download shutter encoder and create a preset for an encode once you find the codec and frame size that agrees with your system. Then just get in the habit of dragging anything that comes through into that program before it sees pro tools. Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
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#3
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
Thanks for the info. I've noticed that even after conversion to DNxHD (shutter encoder), some video files perform better in PT than others. Am I imagining this?
Regarding data rate, Shutter encoder defaults to 120, but an article I read suggested that 36 is optimum for pro tools. Is this a video quality aspect or does it affect PT's GUI performance as well? |
#4
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
Avid DNxHD/HR should be 36
Apple ProRes should be Proxy. They both operate at about 36Mb/s which is optimal. And both are intra frame compression codecs which is what you should stick too. Eventually when the Avid Video Engine (AVE) is optimized for new M processor macs, Pro Res will be the best choice (as there is a hardware decoder built in.) Currently it is not -- though by my tests, ProRes Proxy still performs a little better than DNxHD36 even without the optimizations.
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Pro Tools Ult 2024.3.1, HDX 2, MTRX/SPQ, RME BBF Pro + MADIface Pro • S1 x 2, Fire Max11 x 2, Dock, iPad Air5 • Mac Mini 14,12, 12 core, macOS 13.6.6 • RAM 32GB, SSD 4TB, GPU 19 core • QNAP TVS-872XT 148TB TB3 |
#5
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
Look for DNxHR LB.
It's not just the resolution/frame size, it's the bit rate that matters. 1080/720 makes no performance difference if you're using a low bit rate codec like LB or ProRes Proxy (I happen to prefer DNxHR LB in an MXF though)
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#6
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
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#7
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
Thanks everyone for these helpful replies!
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#8
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
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The New Mac's are suppose to have a builtin h264/5 converter in them so they should run smooth. I always run .mov files over mp4 as I've had .mp4 issues in the past. With Shutter Encoder, if I get an H264 file, I convert it to DNX36 HR and have not had any issues. I use ShutterEncoder to make my video files smaller for storage but can quickly blow them back up to DNX with no quality loss.
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Mac Pro 5,1. 3.46 12 core, 128 gigs ram, 580 GPU flashed Apple EMI, 3 monitors PT Ult 2023.6, OSX 10.14.6, 3 card PCI-e expansion with 3.2 USB Sonnet card. OCTO 8 card, Apollo 8 Quad, UAD quad satellite FW. Almost every plugin |
#9
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
I'm using a Samsung EVO 860 SSD in an external TB4 enclosure. Read/Write speeds tested at 400 MB/s which should be perfectly adequate for my uses.
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Even using DNxHD36, it "feels" like the new system doesn't perform as well with video, period. It's barely perceptible, but after a decade on the same system, you get pretty sensitive to changes in GUI responsiveness! The M2 rig is MANY times more powerful than my old 6 core cheesegrater and I see that demonstrated during many tasks but as soon as I load a video file in PT, it loses just the tiniest bit of snap. |
#10
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Re: Best video codec for PT 2023
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HMm. I remember when the new AVID engine came out and there was a preference called prevent tearing I think. Maybe untick it? See if that helps? Are you using a thunderbolt hub with USB on your M2 or plugging directly into the computer. Are there any other drives on the system? Are the SSD? Are they formatted APFS? I know these are obvious questions. Trying to get a scope.
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Mac Pro 5,1. 3.46 12 core, 128 gigs ram, 580 GPU flashed Apple EMI, 3 monitors PT Ult 2023.6, OSX 10.14.6, 3 card PCI-e expansion with 3.2 USB Sonnet card. OCTO 8 card, Apollo 8 Quad, UAD quad satellite FW. Almost every plugin |
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