DNxHD\HR vs ProRes, which one got the throne for better post-production workflow?

DNxHD and DNxHR Codecs

The first thing that both codec families are offering is the possibility of having high-res files with less file size and bandwidth requirements. Avid sets the quality code in the name of each group of codecs for ease so DNxHD provides codecs up to HD quality, while DNxHR is for higher resolutions including codecs for 2K, 4K, and 8K. Both groups can be stored in an MXF container, as well as a QuickTime container. While DNxHD codecs are varied to be used for both intermediate format for editing and presentation format, DNxHR codecs are mostly used for delivery and mastering, and if you’re looking for VFX work, DNxHR 444 is the right codec as it has an embedded alpha channel.

This is the list of DNxHD codecs;

ProRes Codecs

Apple ProRes codecs support different frame sizes including SD, HD, 2K, 4K, and 5K. This family of codecs can also be wrapped inside MXF and QuickTime containers like DNx ones. Similarly, ProRes codecs are varied to provide options for both intermediate codec and presentation codec. ProRes family even has a codec specifically named for proxy called Apple ProRes 422 Proxy which is intended to be used in offline workflows that require low data rates but full-resolution video. Apple ProRes 4444 and Apple ProRes 4444 XQ are ProRes codecs that have alpha channels.
This is the list of ProRes codecs;

Mac or Windows Compatibility

One of the biggest differences between Avid’s Codecs versus the Apple ones is the compatibility with different devices. If you’ve used any Apple products you know that everything is exclusive in Apple and its classy, but also binding. So in this scenario, DNx codecs are superior as they are cross-platform and easy to create and use. But this doesn’t mean that ProRes codecs aren’t useable in other devices, especially with the recent upgrades, for example, the Premiere Pro’s upgrade that allows you to export ProRes files, something that wasn’t available before. But a consensus belief is that ProRes works best for Mac and if you are using a Windows device you better use DNx codecs. But it’s only for that bit of smoothness and it’s not a must these days. So it’s better to choose your post-production codec family based on your computers and their compatibility.

How to Choose One

As I mentioned earlier, the variety of DNxHD\DNxHR and ProRes codecs means that they are meant to be used for different occasions and needs. As we talked about in the previous section, compatibility might be a big drive for you to choose one based on your device. Another point is the stage of the project you have in hand, which we elaborate on our blog about the codec considerations through a film project. But apart from that, there are also some other ideas about the usage of each codec.

For example, DNxHR 444, DNxHR HQX, ProRes 4444 XQ, and ProRes 4444 are believed to be good for finishing as they preserve all image data, while DNxHR HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, and ProRes 422 are known as Mezzanine codecs. But there isn’t a strict way of using these codecs, therefore professionals choose the codec based on the conditions of each project. One way to do that is to pick the smallest ProRes or DNx codec that has the same resolution as your capture codec. Then you should find out how much space is needed for one hour of footage in that codec and then multiply it by the number of hours of footage you have. And if it’s less than the storage space you have, you can move to the next level of codecs for your project. So what you should do before editing a video is to measure your needs and possibilities to be able to choose the right codecs that serve your post-production workflow perfectly.