Lowest bitrate variant of Apple's ProRes codec at approximately 45 Mbps for 1080p/24 – specifically designed for offline editing workflows where storage and bandwidth are limited, providing efficient editing performance while maintaining full frame size and timecode for later relinking to high-resolution sources.
What is ProRes Proxy?
ProRes 422 Proxy is the most storage-efficient variant of the Apple ProRes codec. At only around 45 Mbps for 1080p/24, Proxy is specifically designed for offline editing, where efficiency is more important than maximum image quality.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Position | Lowest ProRes variant |
| Purpose | Offline editing |
| Chroma | 4:2:2 |
| Bit Depth | 10-bit |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bitrate 1080p/24 | ~45 Mbps |
| Bitrate 4K/24 | ~180 Mbps |
| Compression Ratio | Approx. 25:1 |
| Quality | Sufficient for editing |
Storage Comparison
| Variant | 1 Hour 1080p/24 |
|---|---|
| ProRes HQ | ~100 GB |
| ProRes 422 | ~66 GB |
| ProRes LT | ~46 GB |
| ProRes Proxy | ~20 GB |
Proxy vs. Original
| Aspect | Proxy | Original (e.g., RAW) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ~5% | 100% |
| Edit Performance | Excellent | Often problematic |
| Grading | Not suitable | Full |
| Final Delivery | No | Yes |
Ideal Applications
| Application | Reason |
|---|---|
| Offline Edit | Primary purpose |
| Remote Editing | Small for transfer |
| Review Copies | Quickly shareable |
| Multicam Edit | Many streams |
Proxy Workflow
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Transcode | Original → Proxy |
| 2. Offline Edit | Edit with Proxy |
| 3. Relink | Connect to Original |
| 4. Online | Finish with Original |
Transcoding Sources
| Original | Proxy Benefit |
|---|---|
| RAW (R3D, BRAW) | Very high |
| ProRes 4444 | High |
| XAVC | Moderate |
| H.264 | For Multicam |
Relinking
| Software | Relink Function |
|---|---|
| Final Cut Pro | Automatic |
| Premiere Pro | Link Media |
| DaVinci Resolve | Conform |
| Avid | Relink |
Multicam Advantage
| Setup | Proxy Performance |
|---|---|
| 4 Cameras | Problem-free |
| 8 Cameras | Easily achievable |
| 16+ Cameras | Possible |
| Storage | Minimal |
Mobile Editing
| Aspect | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Laptop | Smooth |
| iPad | With LumaFusion |
| Storage | Fits on laptop |
| Battery | Less consumption |
Cloud Workflow
| Platform | Proxy Advantage |
|---|---|
| Frame.io | Quick Review |
| Dropbox | Faster Sync |
| Google Drive | Editable locally |
| LTO Archive | Originals secure |
Quality Considerations
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Detail | Reduced |
| Color Accuracy | Okay for assessment |
| Motion | Well preserved |
| Fine Text | More difficult |
When NOT to Use
| Situation | Reason |
|---|---|
| Color Grading | No information |
| VFX | Too little detail |
| Final Delivery | Insufficient quality |
| Archive | Not suitable |
Automation
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Compressor | Batch Transcode |
| Media Encoder | Watched Folders |
| DaVinci | Generate Optimized |
| EditReady | Fast Proxy |
Metadata Preservation
| Element | Status |
|---|---|
| Timecode | Preserved |
| Reel Name | Preserved |
| Camera | Preserved |
| LUT | Optional |
Comparison to H.264 Proxy
| Aspect | ProRes Proxy | H.264 Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| File Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Edit Performance | Better | Slower |
| Decode CPU | Lower | Higher |
| Compatibility | Apple-focused | Universal |
Export Settings
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Codec | ProRes 422 Proxy |
| Resolution | Match Source |
| Framerate | Match Source |
| Audio | AAC or PCM |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| Always keep original | For finishing |
| Naming Convention | Relink security |
| Match Timecode | Ensure sync |
| Backup Originals | Before proxy work |
Today
ProRes Proxy is indispensable for modern editing workflows, especially with data-intensive formats like RAW. The codec enables smooth editing on consumer hardware, remote collaboration, and efficient storage utilization. With the increasing use of 4K, 6K, and 8K, proxy-based editing is becoming ever more important.