What video codec is right for me?

In today’s video, we are helping you unpack the often confusing subject of video codecs.

We will take you through what codecs are doing in the background and why choosing to work with the wrong codec can often slow your otherwise speedy computer down to a crawl.

We’ll also offer solutions on how to make for a more efficient and frustration-free workflow. We talk through some workarounds like proxy workflows and which codecs you might choose for your footage to grease the wheels of progress.

Find us on social at:

[TheContentDealer]

That intro is literally my internal subconscious screaming while i try to figure out what codec i want to use

[pavlenikolic]

By far, the best video on YT that pragmatically explains the way codecs work. Thanks a lot!

[stambroz]

I love the stock footage used to explain the codecs and containers. Great teaching skill!

[KismetBP]

OMG YouTube why didin't you recommend this video earlier! Fantastic Video!

[chrisdickersonfilms]

One of the best explanations I’ve seen. Thank you so much!

[sswat]

Great video, bro. So much well explained!

[marcystone-francois]

This was so helpful! Now, can you explain my taxes?

[MstrRo]

Sounds good for CPU processing and mostly 1080P.

[Drunken_Hamster]

I think H.264 is the reason I hate most 24fps content posted to youtube. Because, I've SEEN 24fps that looks smooth, and I've seen it look choppy. And I've seen BOTH on youtube AND in cinema (Doctor Strange 2 is a huge offender of choppy 24fps). At least with 30fps and above, there's enough information being displayed per second that the crappy codec is accounted for.

If you don't think this is what's causing it (it isn't shutter speed, because I know the ones with issues know about the 180-degree bullcrap) then what do you think it is?

Also, IDK if this is how RAW works, but... If you had one bit per pixel per frame per second, then 24fps 1080p footage should run roughly 0.36GB per minute, and 21.6GB per hour. Or nearly 65GB for 3hr of footage. Going up to 4k makes that 86.4GB per hour, or damn near 260GB for 3hr of footage... Actually... Wouldn't RAW have a "bit" for every bit of depth in the footage? So if it was 10-bit or 12-bit color, then the numbers actually multiply by 10 or 12... Good lord... A terabyte per hour of footage... at a mere 24fps...

[djteknovibe]

I have a Nikon Z6II and am going to be buying the Atomos Ninja V this year sometime, I always record in 4k and want the best quality should I use Avid DNxHR in the Ninja V? I have an Intel i5 laptop that has a 12500H processor and it's a pretty fast laptop and before I get the Ninja V i'm going to be upgrading the Ram in the laptop to 32GB and putting in a Samsung Evo 1TB M.2 drive.

[vascotek]

So what would be best for you to on the XT 4 in 2024 currently use a MacMini M2 Pro

[lukerabin]

Raw isn’t a codec. It’s just a record file of something approximating the sensor readout.

[Isaypreach]

Hmmm but what about exporting footage? Are these codecs mainly used for colorgrading and resolution?

[mkdijkstra]

i just want the highest quality on my security camera, it is 4k and has thge h264 h264+ h265 and h265+ settings, i just want the highest quality and framerate wjhile exporting this video from my security system, what do i need to chose?