I'm using a Windows PC and I've edited my video in 4K ProRes 422HQ as that is what it was shot in.

I have to deliver it in ProRes 422HQ as well, so I'm trying to figure out the best exporting method.

As Resolve on Windows doesn't come with ProRes export codecs I'm using Shutter Encoder. However, this is where I face the problem. I want to retain as much quality as possible without having to re-encode a number of times. If I had unlimited space and time, I would export a QuickTime Uncompressed YUV 422 10-bit then put that file into Shutter Encoder to export out a final ProRes 422HQ.

However, I do have limited space and time and this method results in the Uncompressed file being about 30GB per minute for 4K, not to mention exporting time is way too long.

What should I export out of Resolve to put into Shutter Encoder without having to compromise quality? I've tried DNxHR HQX 10-bit but the bitrate is lower than ProRes 422HQ, so this method would result in losing quality. And I don't want to export DNxHR 444 10-bit because it's not a good idea to re-encode from 422 to 444, then back to 422. I can imagine this would be a waste of processing power and would result in a loss of quality.

Just wondering what other Windows users do when they have to deliver in ProRes?

DNxHR HQX 10-bit or perhaps take a look at Cineform? There are a few users on this forum that swear by Cineform as a good intermediate codec for exactly the workflow you describe.

Teechnically you don't need shutter encoder.

Install https://www.voukoder.org/ and have exactly the same options without the middle step of rendering out a file

DNxHR or Cineform are just as good as ProRes at comparable data rates.

You'd need ProRes only if a client asks for it. Careful in such a case: either method (Shutter Encoder or Voukoder) to export ProRes on a PC are based on ffmpeg, which is reverse engineered and not 'blessed' by Apple. Since it's freeware, Apple seems to tolerate it, but a client might notice that and complain. There once was a paid software by Cinemartin which used it and Apple's lawyers seem to have stopped that pretty fast.

That said, I've yet to see a real problem with the resulting clips.

That's really interesting, Uli. I didn't realise encoding to ProRes on a PC was illegal. But as you mentioned, both Shutter Encoder and Voukoder are freeware so I guess there's not much Apple can do about it. I guess I might have to get out my old MacBook Pro and use Compressor in the future.

I wonder why BMD doesn't include ProRes into the studio version.

Edwin Street wrote:That's really interesting, Uli. I didn't realise encoding to ProRes on a PC was illegal.

Encoding prores on win is not illegal, there are many softwares that do it with official encoder, list of ones with Apple's "blessing" is on their web page. Reverse-engineering the codec and encoder is in gray area though, so using that is irky, which is what Uli refers to. Being free software means nothing in intellectual property protection context, it can only apply to the willingness of other side to not challenge you.

Edwin Street wrote:Just wondering what other Windows users do when they have to deliver in ProRes?

I tell them "I can't deliver anything in QuickTime. What else can you take?"

Edwin Street wrote:That's really interesting, Uli. I didn't realise encoding to ProRes on a PC was illegal. But as you mentioned, both Shutter Encoder and Voukoder are freeware so I guess there's not much Apple can do about it. I guess I might have to get out my old MacBook Pro and use Compressor in the future.

It is not "illegal", what is not ok - for them - is using reverse engineering implementation but if an app editor buys the prores license, obviously he can use it in his app... What BMD doesn't seem to be likely too since it's must be a second license (on top of Resolve for mac one).
The same patent has always been on for H264 tied with MPEG-LA fees, and this has not prevented x264 to be widely used everywhere BTW...
My 2 cents : export a drp, import your final project in Resolve on a mac, export from there (and indeed go fishing if it's a small computer )

You can't tell a broadcaster or distributor what format to accept. Jim's clients are likely not in the broadcast or film/program distribution business.

The "unofficial" version of Prores available on Windows may or may not pass QC. Depends on the buyer. Ask. There are Windows-based NLEs licensed to export Prores, but whether it ever comes to Resolve, who knows.

Of course...
Hence my solution to export from a ProRes licensed app... and Resolve on mac should be a good choice since the edit was made on it and the PR export exists by design.
II mean it's likely to be a cheaper idea than buying a win licensed app just for the final export...

This is really interesting. Thanks for sharing, I've learnt a lot.

In saying all this, what would you guys recommend as a good ProRes encoder for Windows? I'm happy to pay for it. I've found the list on Apple's website here if anybody else wants to have a look, there's just so many to choose from I have no idea which one to buy:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT200321

There is no such thing as a 'Prores encoder' on Windows, for officially compliant Prores. There are Windows products which are licensed to use it for export, like Premiere (I think), Edius and Assimilate, but no stand-alone encoders.

Buying a Mac Mini and exporting from that might also be a solution. Your resolve Key will work on two physical machines.


There is a $10k BM console that unlock PR Export, no?

Jim Simon wrote:

Edwin Street wrote:Just wondering what other Windows users do when they have to deliver in ProRes?

I tell them "I can't deliver anything in QuickTime. What else can you take?"

You can actually deliver about 50 or more codecs in the QuickTime envelope.
No need to use ProRes if the client doesn’t insist.

i use Voukoder, and. wash through an old (2016) MBP, it will re-wrap / render same as source so the file is identical, aside from haveing the ident "Appple Prores" in the header
disk speed is the only limitation, on a TB external i see the MBP moveing a Voukoder 4Scope/444 Prores at around 200fps
need to add audio anyway as Voukoder is only good for picture, it will fail at 24bit audio, and fail at more then a single stereo track
the resualting masters have always passed 'QC at mutiple tier 1 facilities

Premiere has exported full licensed, legal ProRes for several years now on PCs.

Every time I work in Resolve, I get smacked with the "Oh that's right, this is Resolve ..." moment.

As I've got full CC apps, I export typically a DNx, then use Media Encoder if I need actual ProRes.

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A cold bottle of champagne is waiting in the fridge the day that Resolve lets us Windows users export in Prores. Maybe my kids will be able to open it .........

I was using Kyno which was officially supported by Apple to transcode to ProRes but now it is no longer supported and does not work anymore in my computer so I use Shutter encoder too . Don't know if encoding to Apple Prop Res using a program that is not officially supported by Apple can bring problems down the road.

In my experience only if the client checks the header and insists.
Never had a technical issue.

Good to hear that. I just wish some alternative to Kyno with an official supported Prores encode option would come along until we wait for Blackmagic making the leap to Prores encoding for win users.

I know we have Adobe option but that is adding another monthly expense. I rather pay once . I am already on a Photoshop/Lightroom subscription

Uli Plank wrote:In my experience only if the client checks the header and insists.
Never had a technical issue.

mastix wrote:A cold bottle of champagne is waiting in the fridge the day that Resolve lets us Windows users export in Prores. Maybe my kids will be able to open it .........

I was using Kyno which was officially supported by Apple to transcode to ProRes but now it is no longer supported and does not work anymore in my computer so I use Shutter encoder too . Don't know if encoding to Apple Prop Res using a program that is not officially supported by Apple can bring problems down the road.

Hi mastix,
I was curious as to what Kyno is actually so I downloaded it to my Windows 11 PC and found that it does indeed transcode to ProRes. And all flavours of ProRes too! This is actually amazing. I had no idea such a program even existed for Windows users. And to top it all off, Kyno is listed on Apple's official ProRes support page. So after all this, people saying no such program exists. You've found one! It does cost AU$229 though so not sure it's worth it yet.

What problems were you having with Kyno? Why couldn't you transcode to ProRes in it?

Edwin Street wrote:This is really interesting. Thanks for sharing, I've learnt a lot.

In saying all this, what would you guys recommend as a good ProRes encoder for Windows? I'm happy to pay for it. I've found the list on Apple's website here if anybody else wants to have a look, there's just so many to choose from I have no idea which one to buy:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT200321

Assimilate Scratch is officially licenced from Apple to render ProRes and other famous codecs, but it is not a free software.

Actually DNxHR codec, if choose HQX (422) can go up to 12bit codec, meanwhile ProRes if limited by 422 only can go up to 10bit codec.

Both DNxHR and ProRes can go up to 444 12bit codec, but file size will be huge.

And DNxHR by default in Dvinci Rsolve Studio been equipped.

So in Windows platform, DNxHR maybe a super good choice.

Dermot Shane wrote:i use Voukoder, and. wash through an old (2016) MBP, it will re-wrap / render same as source so the file is identical, aside from haveing the ident "Appple Prores" in the header
disk speed is the only limitation, on a TB external i see the MBP moveing a Voukoder 4Scope/444 Prores at around 200fps
need to add audio anyway as Voukoder is only good for picture, it will fail at 24bit audio, and fail at more then a single stereo track
the resualting masters have always passed 'QC at mutiple tier 1 facilities

24bit audio does work with Voukoder 13 and connector 0.12.4. The thing with more than a single stereo track is as far as I know a limitation of what the current Voukoder can do - it was not designed with that in mind. This is solve with the new Voukoder Pro which is currently in public beta, he has been working on this for a long time and has a very different and flexible approach - like nodes for patching streams.

And you can change what Voukoder writes into the header, so no need to re-wrap.

Nothing wrong with using Kyno, but they have been acquired by Signiant about 2 years ago, and since then there have not been any updates. So, I'd be a bit concerned if it will be functioning under future OS updates.

OTOH, it still works fine for me and understands RAW formats like R3D or BRAW. And they have pretty good integration with DR: https://lesspain.software/kyno/integrations/ (scroll down).

Voukoder can't work in 12 bit so forget ProRes 4:4:4:4:
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=179056#p938518

I use DaVinci on Linux to render ProRes from a PC.

Lucius Snow wrote:Voukoder can't work in 12 bit so forget ProRes 4:4:4:4:

Yeah, thanks to the stubbornness of the ffmpeg developers - years ago they declared there is no 12bit codec despite given the Apple whitepaper, Arri footage samples and Arri/BMD developers direct quotes.

At least now ffmpeg does decode ProRes 444 into 12bit.

I just wanted to ask if the same applies to Avid's DNxHR?

Does Avid have a "blessed by" page like Apple does? Or are you allowed to encode to DNxHR using any program like FFmpeg and Shutter Encoder?

Edwin Street wrote:I just wanted to ask if the same applies to Avid's DNxHR?

Does Avid have a "blessed by" page like Apple does? Or are you allowed to encode to DNxHR using any program like FFmpeg and Shutter Encoder?

No, no, yes.

DNxHR can be used anywhere, Davinci even has built in support for encoding

I'm sorry Mads but this doesn't answer my question. I know Resolve can encode DNxHR, that's stating the obvious. It can encode ProRes too on a Mac. That doesn't mean it's open-source, like ProRes isn't. Blackmagic could have a license to encode DNxHR. Can you please back up your reply with a source?

According to DNxHD's Wikipedia page "The source code for the Avid DNxHD codec is freely available from Avid for internal evaluation and review, although commercial use requires Avid licensing approval."

So having read that I'm wondering if the same applies to DNxHR but I cannot find any information online so I've posted on the Avid forums for an answer.

Edwin Street wrote:I'm sorry Mads but this doesn't answer my question. I know Resolve can encode DNxHR, that's stating the obvious. It can encode ProRes too on a Mac. That doesn't mean it's open-source, like ProRes isn't. Blackmagic could have a license to encode DNxHR. Can you please back up your reply with a source?

According to DNxHD's Wikipedia page "The source code for the Avid DNxHD codec is freely available from Avid for internal evaluation and review, although commercial use requires Avid licensing approval."

So having read that I'm wondering if the same applies to DNxHR but I cannot find any information online so I've posted on the Avid forums for an answer.

DNxHD is not open source, that wasn't the question.
Since Blackmagic is a Licensee (ref https://www.avid.com/alliance-partner-p ... -licensees ) it is safe to assume that Blackmagic did pay for at least a binary license, although I am unable to prove it, as the signed document most likely because it's not available online.
The terms is indirectly available at https://www.scribd.com/document/4525974 ... icense-pdf

If you want open source, use Cineform (https://gopro.com/news/gopro-open-sourc ... form-codec).

DNx variants put out by every post app out there are used without issues every day all over the world.

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Same applies to Cineform.