Cinematographer
ProRes LT nutze ich für On-Set-Monitoring und schnelle Reviews. Die Qualität reicht für Beurteilung, und die kleineren Files sind praktisch für mobilen Workflow.
Lightweight variant of Apple's ProRes codec offering approximately 102 Mbps at 1080p/24 – designed for projects where storage space is at a premium while still maintaining good visual quality for editing and moderate grading, positioned between standard ProRes 422 and Proxy.
What is ProRes LT?
ProRes 422 LT (Light) is a storage-efficient variant of the Apple ProRes codec. At approximately 102 Mbps for 1080p/24, LT offers good quality with significantly reduced file sizes.
Basic Principle
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Position | Between 422 and Proxy |
| Goal | Storage Optimization |
| Chroma | 4:2:2 |
| Bit Depth | 10-bit |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bitrate 1080p/24 | ~102 Mbps |
| Bitrate 4K/24 | ~410 Mbps |
| Compression Ratio | Approx. 12:1 |
| Quality | Good |
ProRes Family Comparison
| Variant | Bitrate (1080p) | Ratio to LT |
|---|---|---|
| 4444 | ~330 Mbps | 3.2x larger |
| 422 HQ | ~220 Mbps | 2.2x larger |
| 422 | ~147 Mbps | 1.4x larger |
| LT | ~102 Mbps | Base |
| Proxy | ~45 Mbps | 2.3x smaller |
When to Use ProRes LT?
| Application | Reason |
|---|---|
| Dailies | Fast transfer |
| Review Copies | Good quality |
| Long-form Editing | Save storage |
| Multicam | Many streams |
Storage Comparison
| Format | 1 Hour 1080p/24 |
|---|---|
| ProRes HQ | ~100 GB |
| ProRes 422 | ~66 GB |
| ProRes LT | ~46 GB |
| ProRes Proxy | ~20 GB |
Quality Characteristics
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Detail | Well preserved |
| Gradients | Slight banding possible |
| Motion | Clean |
| Artifacts | Minimally visible |
4K/UHD Bitrates
| Resolution | ProRes LT Bitrate |
|---|---|
| 2K/2048×1080 | ~109 Mbps |
| UHD/3840×2160 | ~410 Mbps |
| 4K/4096×2160 | ~435 Mbps |
Ideal Use Cases
| Project Type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Documentary | Very good |
| Corporate | Ideal |
| Web Content | Very good |
| Broadcast News | Good |
Less Suitable For
| Application | Reason |
|---|---|
| Heavy Grading | Less headroom |
| VFX-Heavy | HQ or 4444 better |
| Final Master | Not archival quality |
| HDR | Limited bit depth |
Multicam Advantage
| Aspect | LT Advantage |
|---|---|
| Streams | More simultaneously |
| Timeline | Smoother |
| Storage | Less per camera |
| Render | Faster |
Recording Options
| Device | ProRes LT Support |
|---|---|
| Atomos Ninja | Yes |
| Atomos Shogun | Yes |
| Apple Devices | Native |
| Blackmagic | With Converter |
Workflow Integration
| Phase | LT Usage |
|---|---|
| Ingest | Fast transcoding |
| Dailies | Distribution |
| Offline Edit | Space saving |
| Online | Relink to HQ/4444 |
Transcoding Strategy
| Original | LT Usage |
|---|---|
| RAW | Proxy alternative |
| XAVC | Edit codec |
| R3D | Offline version |
| BRAW | Faster than original |
Comparison to H.264
| Aspect | ProRes LT | H.264 (Similar Rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | Excellent | Problematic |
| CPU Load | Low | High |
| Quality | Higher | Lower |
| Decode | Fast | Slow |
Export Settings
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Codec | ProRes 422 LT |
| Resolution | Native/Match |
| Framerate | Project Rate |
| Audio | PCM |
Limitations
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Grading Headroom | Limited |
| Archival | Not recommended |
| Professional Delivery | Often not accepted |
| 4:4:4 | Not supported |
LT vs. Standard 422
| Factor | LT | Standard 422 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 30% smaller | Base |
| Quality | Good | Very good |
| Use Case | Editorial | General |
| Grading | Moderate | Full |
Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|---|
| For Offline Edit | Storage efficient |
| With Master Backup | Secure quality |
| For Review | Fast transfer |
| Not for Final | Relink to HQ |
Today
ProRes 422 LT fills an important niche in the production workflow: enough quality for smooth editing and review at significantly reduced file sizes. LT is a practical choice, especially for documentary, corporate, and long-form projects, reducing storage costs without compromising editing performance.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
ProRes LT ist ideal für Dailies und interne Reviews. Schnell zu transferieren, gut genug für Beurteilung, und mein Cutter kann sofort mit dem Schnitt beginnen.
Producer
ProRes LT spart Storage-Kosten signifikant. Für viele Projekte – besonders Documentary – bietet LT ausreichende Qualität bei deutlich reduziertem Speicherbedarf.
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „ProRes LT / ProRes Light"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?