ProRes vs DNxHR: A comprehensive rewiew

Aniket Bhattacharjee

Feb 2, 20243 min read

ProRes and DNxHR are both high-quality video codecs designed for professional video editing workflows. Both codecs offer a variety of codecs for different compressions, data rates, and file sizes. Some codecs are designed for just enough image information needed for editing, others for high-quality color grading and finishing, and lossless ones for mastering and archiving. Both codecs can be wrapped inside MXF or MOV containers. ProRes is developed by Apple, while DNxHR is developed by Avid Technology.

Compatibility: Both codecs are widely supported by major video editing software, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. DNxHD is ideal for HD video editing, while DNxHR supports higher resolutions, including 4K and beyond. ProRes is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems.

Performance: Both codecs are optimized to be visually lossless through many generations of decoding and re-encoding. Some claim to have noticed performance differences, but studies have shown that the quality and speed differences are negligible. DNxHR was optimized to be more visually lossless while ProRes to be more mathematically lossless. DNxHR adds a slight amount of noise to the image, while ProRes is more accurate.

File size: The file size of both codecs will vary depending on the codec used, the resolution, and the compression settings. DNxHD files are capped at HD frame sizes, while DNxHR can handle anything up to 8K. DNxHR files are available in a range of quality standards for different purposes, including Low Bandwidth (8-bit 4:2:2) Offline Quality, Standard Quality (8-bit 4:2:2) (suitable for delivery format), High Quality (8-bit 4:2:2), and High Quality (12-bit 4:2:2) (UHD/4K Broadcast-quality delivery). ProRes files are available in different flavors, including ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 4444, and ProRes 4444 XQ.

Quality: Both codecs are comparable in quality at the same bitrate. DNxHR (4:4:4) is equivalent to ProRes 4444. XQ if you need an alpha. ProRes is only capable of a maximum of 12-bits of color depth (though 4444/XQ does allow for a 16-bit alpha channel). DNxHD codecs are 8-bit 422 architectures, while DNxHD 220x is 10-bit 422. CDNG is a 12-bit 444 image.

Editing advantage: DNxHD is better for low-end hardware, while DNxHR is meant to be a ProRes replacement. ProRes RAW will get you the most flexibility in the edit for coloring if your system can handle it. DNx will perform better on lower-end hardware and will still be very flexible for color work but not quite as flexible as raw.

Final delivery quality: Both codecs are suitable for final delivery, but the choice of codec will depend on the project's requirements, such as resolution, color depth, and file size. ProRes is a high-quality video codec primarily used in professional video editing workflows. It offers exceptional visual fidelity and is especially popular among remote video editors working. DNxHD and DNxHR codecs, developed by Avid Technology, are commonly used in the post-production industry. These codecs are known for their efficiency and ability to preserve high-quality video while making it ideal for remote video editors who often need to transfer files over the internet.

PRORES AND DNX TARGET DATA RATES

APPLE PRORES

Resolution & Framerate	ProRes LT	ProRes 422	ProRes HQ
1080p24	82 Mb/s	117 Mb/s	176 Mb/s
1080p25/1080i50	85 Mb/s	122 Mb/s	184 Mb/s
1080p30/1080i60	102 Mb/s	147 Mb/s	220 Mb/s
1080p50	170 Mb/s	245 Mb/s	367 Mb/s
1080p60	204 Mb/s	293 Mb/s	440 Mb/s
2160p24	328 Mb/s	471 Mb/s	707 Mb/s
2160p25	342 Mb/s	492 Mb/s	737 Mb/s
2160p30	410 Mb/s	589 Mb/s	884 Mb/s
2160p50	684 Mb/s	983 Mb/s	1475 Mb/s
2160p60	821 Mb/s	1178 Mb/s	1768 Mb/s

AVID DNXHD

Resolution & Framerate	DNxHD 36	DNxHD 145	DNxHD 220	DNxHD 220X
1080p24	36 Mb/s	145 Mb/s	220 Mb/s	220 Mb/s
1080p25/1080i50	36 Mb/s	145 Mb/s	220 Mb/s	220 Mb/s
1080p30/1080i60	36 Mb/s	145 Mb/s	220 Mb/s	220 Mb/s
1080p50	36 Mb/s	145 Mb/s	220 Mb/s	220 Mb/s
1080p60	36 Mb/s	145 Mb/s	220 Mb/s	220 Mb/s

AVID DNXHR

Resolution & Framerate	DNxHR LB	DNxHR SQ	DNxHR HQ	DNxHR HQX
2160p24	137 Mb/s	441 Mb/s	666 Mb/s	666 Mb/s
2160p25	143 Mb/s	459 Mb/s	695 Mb/s	695 Mb/s
2160p30	171 Mb/s	551 Mb/s	833 Mb/s	833 Mb/s
2160p50	286 Mb/s	919 Mb/s	1389 Mb/s	1389 Mb/s
2160p60	342 Mb/s	1101 Mb/s	1665 Mb/s	1665 Mb/s

Please note that these are considered target data rates and that the actual recordings can slightly vary in their final file size.

How do prores and dnxhr compare in terms of color depth and color accuracy

ProRes and DNxHR differ in terms of color depth and accuracy. ProRes offers various flavors, all of which are at least 10-bit, providing high color depth and accuracy. On the other hand, DNxHR offers different quality standards, including 8-bit 4:2:2 and 12-bit 4:2:2, allowing for a range of color depths and accuracy. ProRes RAW provides 12 bits of data per channel, allowing for more accurate color representation, smoother color transitions, and enhanced color grading capabilities. Both codecs offer high color accuracy, but the specific color depth and accuracy depend on the variant of the codec used.

Citations:

[1] https://lowepost.com/courses/blog/the-difference-between-dnxhr-and-prores-codecs-r4/

[2] https://www.liftgammagain.com/forum/index.php

[3] https://www.promax.com/blog/understanding-video-codecs-for-remote-video-editors

[4] https://massive.io/file-transfer/what-are-dnxhd-files/

[5] https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?p=572235&t=103298

[6] https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=161275

[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3IVouIjUms

[8] https://www.reddit.com/r/videography/comments/wwlqyt/prores_raw_vs_avid_dnx/?rdt=56047

[9] https://blog.frame.io/2017/02/15/choose-the-right-codec/

[10] https://artlist.io/blog/video-codecs/

[11] https://www.reddit.com/r/editors/comments/zkh6bw/pro_res_4444_vs_dnxhr_12_bit/?rdt=34659