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What is ProRes?

Apple ProRes is a high-quality video format (codec) developed by Apple. It is widely considered the industry standard for professional video editing and post-production.

Unlike standard formats like H.264 (which you find on YouTube or Netflix), ProRes is an "intermediate" codec. It is designed to be a middle step: you record in it or convert your footage to it so you can edit smoothly, then you export the final result to a smaller, more shareable format.

Here is a breakdown of why it matters and how it works.

Why use ProRes?

  • Smoother Editing: ProRes uses "Intra-frame" compression. This means every single frame of video is saved as a complete image. Modern "delivery" codecs like H.264 save space by only recording the changes between frames, which makes your computer work much harder to "guess" what the video looks like while you’re scrubbing through it. ProRes is "easy" for your computer to read.
  • Higher Quality: It preserves much more detail and color information. While a standard video might be 8-bit, most ProRes versions are 10-bit or 12-bit, allowing for millions more colors. This is crucial for color grading (adjusting the look and mood of the film) without the image "breaking" or becoming blocky.
  • Speed: Because it requires less processing power to decode, your editing software (Final Cut, Premiere, DaVinci Resolve) will run faster and crash less often.

The Trade-off: File Size

The main downside of ProRes is that the files are massive. Because it doesn't use the "clever" space-saving tricks of H.264, a one-minute 4K clip in ProRes can easily take up 5–10 GB of space, whereas a standard video might only be 200–500 MB.

The Different "Flavors" (Types)

There are several versions of ProRes, depending on whether you need speed or maximum quality:

  • ProRes 422 Proxy: Smallest files; used for "offline" editing on weak computers or laptops.
  • ProRes 422 LT: A "light" version for when you want quality but have limited storage.
  • ProRes 422: The standard "workhorse" for most professional video work.
  • ProRes 422 HQ: Higher quality; used for high-end commercials and features.
  • ProRes 4444: Extremely high quality. The "4" at the end stands for an Alpha Channel, meaning it can handle transparency (great for motion graphics or green screens).
  • ProRes RAW: Captures the raw data directly from the camera sensor, allowing you to change things like White Balance and ISO after you’ve finished filming.

Is it on your phone?

Starting with the iPhone 13 Pro, Apple added the ability to record in ProRes directly on the device.

  • Who is it for? Filmmakers and creators who plan to edit their footage on a computer later.
  • Should you use it? If you are just taking videos for social media or to keep on your phone, keep it turned off. You will run out of storage in minutes, and you won't notice the quality difference on a phone screen.

Can I use ProRes on Windows?

The short answer is yes, you can use ProRes on Windows, and for most users, it is "free" in the sense that you don't have to pay Apple a separate licensing fee to use it.

However, there are some important details regarding how you access it and the difference between "official" and "unofficial" versions.

1. Can I use it on Windows?

Yes. For many years, you could only play (decode) ProRes on Windows but couldn't create (encode) it without hacks. That changed a few years ago.

  • Adobe Users: Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Media Encoder on Windows now have official Apple-certified ProRes encoding. You can export directly to ProRes 422, 4444, etc., from the export menu.
  • DaVinci Resolve Users: The Windows version of DaVinci Resolve can read and write ProRes files natively.
  • Other Apps: Most professional video tools (Avid, Vegas Pro) now support it.

2. Is it free?

There are two ways to look at the "cost":

  • Bundled with Software (Most Common): If you pay for (or use the free version of) DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Creative Cloud, the ability to use ProRes is included. You don't pay Apple a penny extra.
  • System-Wide Playback: If you just want to be able to watch a ProRes file in Windows Media Player or see thumbnails in File Explorer, you can download the "Apple ProRes RAW for Windows" decoder from Apple’s website for free.

3. The "Unofficial" vs. "Official" Distinction

This is where it gets technical. Because ProRes is proprietary to Apple, software companies have to pay Apple a license to include it.

  • Official (Certified): Adobe and Blackmagic Design use the official Apple code. This is the safest way to use it for professional work because it guarantees the file will work perfectly on a Mac or at a TV station.
  • Unofficial (FFmpeg): Many free/open-source tools (like Shutter Encoder, Handbrake, or VLC) use a reverse-engineered version of ProRes created by the FFmpeg project.
    • Is it free? Yes, 100% free.
    • Is it safe? For 99% of people, yes. However, very strict high-end broadcasters sometimes reject "unofficial" ProRes files because they can occasionally have tiny metadata errors that the official Apple encoder wouldn't make.

4. What about ProRes RAW?

ProRes RAW is slightly different. While you can read it on Windows (if you download the free driver from Apple), you cannot currently export/encode ProRes RAW on a Windows machine. You can only record it into a camera or export it from a Mac.

Summary for Windows Users:

  • To edit/export: Use DaVinci Resolve (Free/Studio) or Adobe Premiere Pro. Both work perfectly with ProRes on Windows.
  • To convert files for free: Use Shutter Encoder. It is a free Windows tool that lets you convert almost any video into ProRes (using the FFmpeg version).
  • To just watch files: Download the ProRes RAW for Windows controller from Apple's site so your system recognizes the files.

When should I export ProRes instead of H.264/265?

Choosing between exporting in ProRes and H.265 (HEVC) depends on whether you are creating a "Master File" (for yourself) or a "Delivery File" (for the internet/client).

1. Export in ProRes when...

  • You want a "Master Copy": This is the highest quality version of your video. You keep this in your archives so that if you ever need to re-edit or re-export the video in 5 years, you aren't starting from a low-quality, compressed file.
  • You are sending it to another professional: If you are sending your edit to a Colorist, VFX Artist, or Sound Designer, you must use ProRes (usually 4444 or 422 HQ). H.265 will strip away the data they need to do their jobs.
  • You plan to re-encode it later: If you need to make 10 different versions of a video (different sizes for Instagram, TikTok, TV), export one "ProRes Master" first. Then, use that master to create the smaller files. This prevents "Generation Loss" (where the video gets blockier every time you save it).
  • Speed is more important than space: In DaVinci Resolve, a ProRes export is often significantly faster than H.265 because the computer doesn't have to do the complex math required to "squish" the file.

2. Export in H.265 when...

  • You are sending a review copy to a client: You want a file small enough to email or upload to Dropbox/Frame.io quickly. A 5GB ProRes file is a headache for a client; a 200MB H.265 file is perfect.
  • Storage space is limited: If you are finishing a project and don't have 100GB of free space for a Master file, H.265 "Best" settings will give you great visual quality at a fraction of the size.
  • Final Delivery for Web/Social Media: H.265 is the modern standard for viewing. While you can upload ProRes to YouTube, it takes much longer to upload, and YouTube is just going to convert it to a compressed format anyway.

The "Pro Strategy": The Two-Step Export

Most professional editors don't just pick one. They do this:

  1. The Master: Export a ProRes 422 HQ file. This is your "Golden Copy."
  2. The Delivery: Use a tool like Handbrake, Shutter Encoder, or even DaVinci Resolve again to convert that ProRes Master into a small H.265 file for the web.

Decision Table

If you need... Export This
Highest possible quality for Archive ProRes 422 HQ
A file to send to a VFX artist ProRes 4444
To upload a 15-second clip to Instagram H.265
To put a movie on a thumb drive for a friend H.265
The fastest possible export time ProRes
To save hard drive space H.265

A Note for DaVinci Resolve Studio Users: If you set your Render Cache to ProRes and then export as ProRes, Resolve can perform a "Smart Render." It will essentially copy the already-rendered cache files into the final video instead of re-calculating them. This can turn a 30-minute export into a 30-second export.