ProRes 422 is a standard-definition and high-definition lossy video compression format developed by Apple Inc. for use in post production. It was introduced in 2007 with Final Cut Studio 2 [1] and is comparable to Avid's DNxHD codec which has the same purpose and uses similar bit rates. Both are DCT based[2] intra-frame-only codecs, and are therefore simpler to decode than distribution oriented formats like H.264.
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ProRes is an intermediate codec, which means it is intended for use during video editing, and not intended for practical or end-user viewing. The benefit of an intermediate codec is that it retains higher quality than end-user codecs while still requiring much less expensive disk systems compared to uncompressed video.
Other intermediate codecs include those made by CineForm and Avid.
Apple on 28 August 2008 introduced a free ProRes QuickTime Decoder for both Mac and Windows that allows playback of ProRes files through QuickTime.
FFmpeg on 15 September 2011 introduced a free decoder for ProRes 422 for libavcodec. An encoder was released on 29 October 2011.
Installing Final Cut Pro will install the ProRes codecs for encoding your own files on OSX. No free codec for encoding is currently available for Windows based system.
At the NAB show 2010, April 2010 DVS Digital Video Inc. launched the first Windows 7 platform with the ability to encode to all the varieties of Apple ProRes at speeds far faster than real time on their Clipster product.
On, March 31, 2011, Telestream added support for ProRes encoding on Windows system with Episode Engine, Vantage and FlipFactory as free upgrade to the current versions of these products. The system must be running on Windows Server 2008, to be able to support this feature. ProRes video capturing and output to tape is available in Telestream's Pipeline network encoder.
As of June 2011, several hardware-based ProRes encoders exist, from AJA (IO HD FireWire 800 interface; Ki Pro and Ki Pro Mini portable recorders), Atomos (Ninja and Samurai recorders), Sound Devices (PIX series recorders), and Fast Forward Video (Sidekick recorder].
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