Understanding Recording Formats and Codecs
Compare H.264, H.265, ProRes, and raw capture formats. Choose the right codec for your workflow.
The Solution
Choose your codec based on workflow: H.264 for streaming/web, H.265 for efficient storage, ProRes for editing, and raw for maximum quality.
Step-by-Step Instructions
H.264 (AVC): Best for streaming and general recording. Small files, universal playback.
H.265 (HEVC): 50% smaller files than H.264 at same quality. Requires more CPU to encode.
ProRes (Mac/editing): Large files but instant editing in Premiere/Final Cut. No reprocessing.
MJPEG: Lower CPU, larger files. Good for multi-device capture on slower systems.
Raw/Uncompressed: Maximum quality, enormous files. For scientific/medical archival.
For streaming: Use H.264 with hardware encoding (NVENC/VCE)
For recording: Use H.264 CRF 18-20 for excellent quality/size balance
For editing: ProRes 422 if editing on Mac, DNxHR for Windows/Avid
For archival: ProRes 422 HQ or H.265 CRF 16 for long-term storage
Pro Tips
- Hardware encoding (NVENC) only supports H.264 and H.265
- ProRes encoding on Windows requires third-party tools
- H.265 saves storage but takes 2-3x longer to encode than H.264
- Always record at highest quality possible - you can compress later
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