How to fix Premiere Pro ProRES: banding, 8-bit and magenta problem
- Mikhail Gordeyev
- Dec 2, 2023
- 4 min read
Greetings My Friend,
When you need to transfer your project from Premiere Pro to DaVinci Resolve for color grading, the best way is to use the Trimmed Original Camera Files (OCFs) + CG/VFX EXR files + XML + Reference video method. This method will allow you to retain the full quality and flexibility of your original media, as well as the effects and transitions that you applied in Premiere Pro. You can also easily relink your media in DaVinci Resolve and make any changes or adjustments as needed.
However, sometimes you may not have access to the original media, or you may have a very tight deadline that does not allow you to use the XML method. In that case, you may need to use the Total timeline render in ProRes/DNxHR + EDL method. This method will export your entire timeline as a single video file in a high-quality codec, such as ProRes or DNxHR, and an EDL file that will tell DaVinci Resolve where to cut the video file. This method is faster and simpler, but it has some limitations and drawbacks. For example:
You will lose the ability to make any changes or adjustments to your edit, such as trimming, slipping, or adding transitions.
You will lose some color information and dynamic range, especially if your original media was captured in RAW or LOG formats.
You will have to deal with the file size and storage issues of exporting a large video file.
You will have to make sure that your export settings are correct and compatible with DaVinci Resolve, otherwise, you may encounter problems such as banding, artifacts, or sync issues.
One of the most common problems that you may face when exporting a ProRes file from Premiere Pro is the bit depth issue. Premiere Pro has a problem with exporting ProRes files in 16-bit depth, which is the preferred format for color correction. By default, Premiere Pro exports ProRes files in 8-bit depth, which can result in banding, artifacts, and loss of color information. And you wonder: Why does my footage look worse after color grading?
How to avoid banding in ProRes files?
In this post, I will show you how to fix this problem and export ProRes files from Premiere Pro in 16-bit depth, using Premiere Pro export, Media Encoder, or a custom preset. I will also provide you with the preset file that you can download and use for your own projects.
Disclaimer: This method works for any footage, since by default ProRES export files from Premiere not only downgrade delph but also add a color shift to the video. However, to eliminate banding, this method only works for footage shot at 10-bit depth or higher. If your footage was shot in 8-bit depth, this method will not work, and you may still see banding in your ProRes files. The only way to fix the banding in 8-bit footage is to apply careful and gentle color correction and use the deband OFX in DaVinci Resolve.
Step 1: Prepare Your Timeline for the Export
Remember that all preparations or changes should preferably be made after the timeline has been backed up. Never work without backups.
Before you export your timeline from Premiere Pro, you need to make sure that it is ready for the export. To do this, follow these steps (or you can follow the steps from a DaVinci manual (p. 1057):
Remove any effects or LUTs that you applied to your clips in Premiere Pro. These effects or LUTs will interfere with the color grading process. You can either disable them or delete them from your clips.
Add transition handles to your clips. Transition handles are extra frames at the beginning and end of your clips that allow you to apply transitions without affecting the duration of your clips. You should add at least one second of transition handles to each clip, or more if you have longer transitions.
Save your project and make a backup copy. It is always a good idea to save your project and make a backup copy before you export your timeline, in case something goes wrong or you need to make any changes later.
Step 2a: Export Your Timeline from Premiere Pro without a preset
If you do not want to use the preset file that I will provide below, you can also export your timeline from Premiere Pro in ProRes 16-bit without a preset. To do this, follow these steps:
Go to File > Export > Media or press Ctrl+M (Windows) or Command+M (Mac) to open the Export Settings window
In the Format drop-down menu, select QuickTime
In the Preset drop-down menu, select Apple ProRes 422 HQ (for most cases) or Apple ProRes 4444 (if you had RAW clips on your timeline)
Click on the Video tab and scroll down to the Depth section
Change the Bit Depth option from 8 bpc to 16 bpc
Make sure that the Output Name and Output Location are correct
Click on the Export button to start the export process
Step 2b: Export Your Timeline from Premiere Pro Using the Custom Preset
The alternative step is to export your timeline from Premiere Pro using the custom preset that I will provide you. This preset will export ProRes files in 16-bit depth, using Media Encoder. To do this, follow these steps:
Download the preset file from the link below and save it to your computer
Go to File > Export > Media or press Ctrl+M (Windows) or Command+M (Mac) to open the Export Settings window
In the Format drop-down menu, select QuickTime
In the Preset drop-down menu, click on the Import Preset button and navigate to the preset file that you downloaded. Select the preset file and click on the Open button. The preset name should appear in the Preset drop-down menu, such as ProRES 422 HQ 16-bit
Make sure that the Output Name and Output Location are correct
Click on the Export button to start the export process
Preset for ProRES 422 HQ 16-bit, Maximum Delph setting:
Conclusion
In this post, I showed you how to export ProRes files from Premiere Pro in 16-bit depth, using a custom preset that I provided you, or customize the export yourself. This will ensure that you preserve the quality and color information of your edit, and that you can transfer your total timeline render to DaVinci Resolve without any issues.
I hope you found this post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Happy editing!
Your Colorist Mishka
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