10-bit proxy. Easier uploading of massive video files

Are you facing the challenge of sending us your massive project for editing because it exceeds 500 GB? Don’t worry, we have a solution for you! If you create proxies and send them to us, we can swiftly and efficiently edit your video, ensuring a smooth workflow.

Last year we made a quick guide for creating proxy files. In this article, we will delve into this topic more and compare proxies of varying quality and examine their impact on color grading. We will also discuss software that you can utilize to create flawless proxies. 

Main nuances about proxies

Working with proxies introduces a crucial consideration: maintaining accurate color grading when replacing proxies with the original video files. This leads us to ponder how to achieve precise color grading while using proxies.

An essential factor in color accuracy is the concept of color depth, also known as bit depth. Color depth refers to the number of bits utilized to represent the color of each pixel within an image or video shot. A higher color depth allows for a broader range of color shades, resulting in more precise and faithful representations. For instance, with 8-bit color depth, a pixel can be represented by one of 256 possible color values, while 16-bit color depth expands the options to a staggering 65,536 values.

If your video was shot with 8-bit color depth, then 8-bit proxies would be an ideal solution. However, what if you were shooting with flat profiles and your video possesses a color depth of 10, 12, or even 16 bits? There is an answer! Blackmagic, in its commitment to user convenience, has developed a user-friendly software called Blackmagic Proxy Generator. This remarkable tool becomes available after installing DaVinci Resolve 18 or any later versions.

Blackmagic Proxy Generator – how it works

Upon launching the program, you will encounter a compact window divided into three distinct sections:

1. Processing: This section provides a progress update on the proxy creation process, including an estimated time of completion.
2. Proxy Format: Here, you can select the desired format in which the proxies should be rendered, offering flexibility based on your specific requirements.
3. Watch Folders: This area enables you to add all the relevant folders where you want to generate proxies, simplifying the organization and management of your proxy workflow.

Conveniently positioned at the bottom of the window, you’ll find buttons responsible for managing the Watch Folders section, allowing you to effortlessly configure this aspect.

Let’s move on to the most interesting part – Proxy Format, particularly focusing on option 3, as highlighted in picture above. To illustrate its efficiency, let’s consider an example. From a project of 480 GB, proxies were created, consuming only 44 GB, which is approximately 10.9 times smaller than the original files!

We can examine the visual differences between the original shot, a 10-bit proxy, and an 8-bit proxy (with color grading applied).

Moving forward, let’s delve deeper into the details and analyze the extent of color distortion within the 8-bit proxy and 10-bit proxy, as depicted following screenshots.

Comparing Color Distortion: 8-bit and 10-bit Proxies at 200% Zoom

Upon examination, we can observe significant color distortions on the gray surface (on the left side of the screenshot) and within the intricate details of the iron fence (on the right side of the screenshot). Consequently, it becomes evident that opting for a 10-bit proxy is justifiable and significantly aids in maintaining color accuracy throughout your footage.

Now, let’s outline the necessary steps to utilize the Blackmagic Proxy Generator effectively:

1. Drag your folder containing the original files to the Watch Folders section or click the Add button, which will prompt a window for folder selection. Choose the desired folder.
2. Ensure that the third option, “H.265 10 bit 4:2:0 1080p,” is selected in the Proxy Format settings.
3. Click the Start button in the Processing section to initiate the proxy rendering process.

Throughout this process, you can observe the progress of proxy rendering, as shown on the picture below.

Other functions of Blackmagic Proxy Generator

Additionally, let’s explore the remaining buttons located at the bottom of the Blackmagic Proxy Generator window:

• The Remove and Show buttons serve the expected functions for the selected Watch Folder within the list.
• The Delete Proxy button functions as you would anticipate, deleting all proxies while keeping the camera originals intact in the watch folder. However, if any camera originals are no longer present in the watch folder, Blackmagic Proxy Generator will not delete the proxy files, recognizing their importance in the absence of the originals.
• The Extract Proxies button provides a convenient means of creating a copy of the proxy files already generated in a selected Watch Folder. This feature allows you to choose a new location to store the proxy copies, facilitating the sharing of proxy files with a remote editor, for example.

It’s worth noting that you can also create proxies during the filming process, as they can be recorded alongside the original files. In our upcoming articles, we will explore this feature in detail, using the Sony a7 IV camera as an example.

To wrap it up, with the Blackmagic Proxy Generator at your disposal, you can streamline your proxy workflow, ensuring efficient editing and preserving color accuracy throughout your video projects. 

Was slow broadband stopping you from working with remote editors? Say goodbye to the limitations imposed by file sizes and embrace the flexibility and convenience offered by this remarkable tool. Drop us a line, and we’ll set up a great workflow for you.