ProRes RAW combines the flexibility of RAW video with the incredible performance of the ProRes codec.
Record, edit and evaluate your videos in real time with RAW data directly from your camera sensor. These RAW files offer maximum flexibility when customizing your shots while expanding the dynamic range for the optimal HDR workflow.
ProRes RAW revolutionizes video editing with the goal of optimizing the video workflow.
RAW quality combined with outstanding performance for all major camera manufacturers - Panasonic, Sony, Nikon and Canon - in Atomos recorders, for editing in the most popular editing systems.
Record
ProRes RAW & ProRes RAW HQ
320-560 MB/s
Datarate 8Kp24 ProRes RAW HQ
12bit+
Color depth
Metadata
Camera, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, lens, white balance, ND filter
up to 8K
Resolution
Sensor data
White balance, color, dynamic range per image
How ProRes RAW works?
Apple adopted their very smart compression basis of ProRes and applied it to pixels arranged in a Bayer pattern instead of a YPbPr component video pattern.
The true advantage of RAW is the high bit depth which allows massive corrections to be made to white balance and ISO, amongst other parameters. The process of converting a Bayer sample image into a regular RGB image is known as de-mosaicing. With "conventional" formats, this is carried out directly in the camera and "burned" into the file.
However, an application must now decode the signal for playback. In contrast, ProRes RAW directly encodes the Bayer sample image. De-mosaicing is shifted to the post-production or playback area. This requires more computing power, but allows much greater flexibility.
By using ProRes RAW, you can postpone the de-mosaicing of the captured Bayer sample to post-production and take advantage of the greater flexibility with high quality.
Data rate
ProRes RAW is available in two compression levels: Apple ProRes RAW and Apple ProRes RAW HQ. Both achieve excellent preservation of the raw data. Visible compression-related artifacts are very unlikely in both quality levels.
As with existing ProRes codecs, the data rates of ProRes RAW are proportional to the frame rate and resolution. The RAW data rates of ProRes also varies depending on the image content, but to a greater extent than for ProRes.
Most video codecs, including the existing ProRes family, use a technique that dynamically adjusts the compression to achieve a target data rate. Meaning that in reality the level of compression varies from frame to frame depending on the content.
Which hardware supports ProRes RAW recording?
Apple also licenses and certifies ProRes and ProRes RAW for certain workflows and for use with selected third-party products. These products include software products as well as cameras and other hardware devices. In addition to the Atomos recorders, the DJI Zenmuse X7, for example, supports the format.
ATOMOS NINJA
Ninja and Ninja Ultra - 5'' from Atomos.
Records ProResRAW via HDMI.
ATOMOS SHOGUN
Shogun and Shogun Ultra.
record ProResRAW via SDI and HDMI.
ATOMOS SUMO 19 SE
Atomos Sumo 19" SErecords in 4K 12bit Raw, ProResRAW or 10bit ProRes/DNxHR.
Cameras supporting ProRes RAW.
Atomos is in constant cooperation with the major camera manufacturers in order to continuously expand the range of cameras that support ProResRAW recording.
Cameras with RAW output via SDI
Cameras with RAW output via HDMI only with the Ninja
As of September 2020
ProResRAW in Postproduction
Import, edit and correct pure video RAW data directly from your camera sensor without slowing down the editing process.
In addition to Apple's Final Cut Pro X editing software, ProResRAW material can also be edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer and Grassvalley's Edius.
Media and further information on ProRes RAW.