BMPCC6K Pro BRAW Bitrate: Constant Quality vs. Constant Bitrate

[@Nelsontron1]

I owe the BKM 6K PRO for over ten months. I have learned a lot from watching your videos. Thank you so much. PEACE!

[@FrameVoyager]

Appreciate it! Always glad to here these videos I've put together are helpful for users! Hope to see you around the channel!

[@steven_porter]

I run a studio with lots of Blackmagic cameras, and totally agree. We do 8:1 on the Ursa Mini Pro 4.6K (mostly products and off-site location work) and 12:1 for Pocket 6K's and Studio Camera 4K Pro's (some location work with the Pockets, and podcasts with the studio cameras). Even in more complicated shots I have yet to notice any quality issues at these compression ratios. It's interesting to hear your thoughts, and funny that we ended up with pretty much the same conclusion!

[@nicholasolivas317]

Why 12:1 on the pocket? And not 8:1 like the Ursa? What kind of frame/ resolution did use on the 8:1? What were file sizes?

[@Alexrocks1253]

I think it was originally Q0 and Q5 but then they added some in between. I used to have the BMPCC4K and it came with the initial BRaw update.

[@Ande_Lemenged]

My goodness you are different bro!...this tut is so helpful! keep blessed!

[@FrameVoyager]

I appreciate that!

[@justin-abi]

I have two different uses for my BMP6K 1. is my podcast 2. is for a single camera like you have in this video for a class I teach. Incoming question The class I currently teach lasts from 1.5 to 2 hours. The settings are (Braw Constant 12:1 6K 6144 x 3456 film 24fps). The file size is around 480 gbs. Question: I would like to significantly reduce that file size. Do you have any suggestions on what settings you would use? I know the words "significantly reduce" is relative. I don't need it to be 6k for the class. When I try other settings like 4k, the file size seems to still be similar. Thanks for all you do and sorry of this is a silly question. If you have a video talking about all the other option besides 6k I would be happy to watch it if you can direct me to it.

[@shempvideos]

Q0 and Q1 is not usable in 6K and 50 fps with the Pocket 6K and 6K Pro because of dropped frames. No matter if you record to CFast or SSD. An NVME can do it, but the USB port can't handle the data rate. According to BMD support, 6K 50 fps in Q0 results in up to 900 MB/s!

[@ez591]

So how do you do it? Is the only option the nvme ? What’s a nvme??

[@ffa1bc]

@@ez591 an nvme is just a type of SSD (solid state disk). you can get one, buy an enclosure, like the ones from smallrig, mount it on top of the cam and connect it through usb-c. now that i read about it, it seems like it'd be a good solution for the camera (i own a pcc4k), but maybe someone knows better

[@covetedpixel3238]

Neither could I... I had issues even at 5:1 sometimes with my NVMe. Until I bought a different kind of cable. I was using "pro" cables from Tilta, and SmallRig, these cables were rated for being faster than the actual port on the camera, so I figured it must be good enough, and that the bottleneck was the port.. With my Tilta cable and my Samsung NVMe 2280 length, I would record for about 10 seconds before it stopped. Then I bought a 6-inch cable, USB-C 4.0 240W from an industrial/scientific company. Now with my small NVMe (2TB Silicon Power in the smaller 2230 size with a small enclosure) I record mostly Q0, 6K50 and sometimes 3:1 6K 50. (green screen work, depending upon how much hair is in the shot, sometimes the Q0 has higher or lower bitrate than the 3:1) No dropped frames, the caveat being, the longest I have tried (or needed to) was 25 minutes. And the other caveat was that I got dropped frames even with this cable from my samsung 2280 NVMe after about 12 minutes. But switched back to the 2230 size and went for another 20 minutes non-stop.

[@itaygreenberg7664]

Great video! I'm new into filmmaking, just got the bmpcc6k pro, and now I understand this topic perfectly. Ty!

[@FrameVoyager]

Sweet! Hope to see you around the channel!

[@givebackdocumentaryproduct5981]

Thanks so much . I did not understand the difference of these setting and truly appreciate you very well thought out and explained video.

[@FrameVoyager]

Sweet! Glad it was helpful for you. I love doing deep dives into small parts of cameras like this because it really is beneficial to understanding how they work and most people will gloss over this kind of stuff. Hope to see you around!

[@derekjohnson4453]

I was honestly expecting to leave this video more confused but I actually think I understand this stuff

[@FrameVoyager]

Glad that was the case! When it all starts clicking this is such a great camera

[@Realidyne]

Awesome info, awesome vid! Thanks!

[@jesswhite7161]

Thank you for explaining that so well. Very helpful.

[@jkenific]

Great video! Coming from the Canon ecosystem into the BMPCC world, this video proves invaluable. Thanks so much!

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem at all! It's definitely a change but it can be a good one once you figure it all out! Feel free to join our discord where we have a community of people from all over the industry that help each other out. New and experienced! --> discord.gg/Suj6dxKb

[@jkenific]

@@FrameVoyager Will do! thanks so much.

[@oxlabproduction5890]

Cool video! For me. On BMCC 6k “Constant Quality” is for official work and Constant Bitrate for reference testing and practice. I’m Never in the hi comp settings. Q1 more than enough for regular production imho. With handsome footage. But I think I feel less battery life.

[@8lec_R]

Cool video. I honestly have nothing else to say. Just commenting for the algorithm. Cheers m8 ☺️

[@FrameVoyager]

😂 appreciate it!

[@mrhobs]

Ha, that's pretty much what I'm here to do. Great video!

[@indiesurfer222]

Likewise!!!

[@tds3653]

Hahaha 4:47 cracked me up! I feel you bud 😄

[@FrameVoyager]

oooof, I forgot about that haha. Might be time for a remake of this video haha

[@AntoineValleeStudio]

Great video :p You explained this topic quite well in 10 minutes because I am pretty sure we could talk for hours haha :p Thanks

[@FrameVoyager]

Appreciate it! And we really could because bitrate plays such a large role in image quality, more so than most realize

[@VilkanVisions]

You did a mistake, there was Q0 and Q5 and they added Q1 and Q3.

[@FrameVoyager]

Oh, you're right 😂 I thought that sounded weird. Should have triple checked lol. I'll post a videon edit on that

[@BeaumontsBrainsOut]

Very good information here. Thanks man!

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem!

[@WebSodre]

Again, such a class! Thank you so much. Can you show your underwater jobs one day? :) Regards from Brazil!

[@FrameVoyager]

appreciate it! And sure! Actually planning on doing some more scuba diving video this summer if I get a chance!

[@jasonofassynt]

Great explanation, thank you.

[@NickBB]

Cool breakdown on the formats, thanks !

[@FrameVoyager]

Appreciate it!

[@osea142]

Thanks again dude, great content as always.

[@FrameVoyager]

Appreciate it!

[@kbfilmz8115]

You’re the man great explanation bro!

[@FrameVoyager]

I appreciate that!

[@bohemianpictures2009]

This video has been extremely helpful. Thank you. Just wanted to check something......has the number of GB per minutes been calculated assuming one is shooting at 24fps? I presume yes, but just want to be sure. Many thanks!

[@FrameVoyager]

Yep! And goes up as your fps goes up 😉

[@ez591]

Thank you. So clear. So 5:1 or 8:1 would be okay shooting in 4k?

[@adeadolfo]

Very clear explanation!! Thanks

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem! thanks for watching!

[@rene.rodriguez]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@freddymiguelponce]

Brilliant! As always

[@alemachado_filmmaker]

Thank you for your explanation. helped me a lot.

[@intrinsiccinema7374]

thank you. I needed to know what gives me the highest codec. I sub

[@cyberlightningmedia9899]

Great video man 🤘🏻

[@TatyanaValdaBelindaHill]

This is very helpful. Thanks! 😇

[@FrameVoyager]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tailgatingfortigers5665]

Excellent video, most straight forward I’ve seen. From this I gathered that a hard drive speed for editing that processes at 400MB/s should work, as that would allow to purchase lot larger drives than the faster SSD that get higher transfer rates of course? Just curious as to what hard drives you use? Thanks!

[@carloscast1]

Great info.

[@FrameVoyager]

Appreciate it!

[@garyc7446]

Hi my question is more about color grading. Im going to use Davinci Resolve now since I purchased the BM pocket cinema 4k and want to color grade but the nodes just confuse me and wanted to know besides changing to 709 are there any plugins that remove all the steps you need to make your colors accurate?I will be doing experimental, movies, short films and current affairs. I have done some color grading with FCP but Davinci Resolve is defiantly a different animal.

[@zechenwei1139]

So does the constant quality Q0 equal to the best possible image quality in all the scenarios? Thank you!

[@reddjinn911]

Short answer: yes. More accurately though, if you were to leave your camera locked at CQ/Q0 there will definitely be times when you are shooting something that could have been handled just fine for much less resources. But if you have the available storage and the gig provides the freedom to card swap freely, why not set it and forget it? :)

[@zechenwei1139]

@@reddjinn911 makes sense, thx! :P

[@thehumancamcorder9326]

yeah, i think for 4k q3 works the best

[@sifren2491]

You used bit and byte interchangeably at a few places in your video, they're quite different as I'm sure you're aware, but it could definitely confuse beginners.

[@FrameVoyager]

Ah, you know you're right. I always do that 😂 I'll make a note in the comments. Thanks for mentioning that.

[@sifren2491]

@@FrameVoyager No problem, thanks for the informative video with the data rate breakdowns.

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem! Gotta stop saying byte though 😂

[@Youknowthebo]

For my channel and my Premiere workflow I have been shooting in prores 422 hq. But I am considering switching to braw if the workflow is smooth in premiere. Which braw setting do you think is equivalent to the prores422 hq setting?

[@FrameVoyager]

At 4K DCI Apple ProRes 422 HQ is at - 117.88 MB/s. Since I'm pretty sure it doesn't go up to 6k, only BRAW does, It's kind of in-between 3:1 and 5:1 at 4k DCI. But just as far as bitrate goes that's what it's at. Quality and look of footage is completely different.

[@insayno]

Edit in resolve fam.

[@alexander-van-aken]

Awesome video! Glad I now get it! So does a t5 or t7 work with Q0? Or need to go with the bizar priced ssd’s or even cfcards?

[@valesymoreira]

Hello, I use T7 2TB and it works perfectly for everything.

[@alexander-van-aken]

@@valesymoreira yeah. In the meanwhile I got 6 of the 2tb t7’s. Work perfectly

[@fortyfivestreetproductions]

danke für das video !

[@PanDownTiltLeft]

Very nice! @ 02:55 what is that tripod? I am a big fan of lever release on lightweight travel tripods and that looks like a good example of one. Most have twist releases. No thanks :)

[@FrameVoyager]

Honestly just a real cheap Manfrotto tripod. Needed something to hike into the Narrows in Utah with that I wouldn't care if it got messed up and could hold my p4k. It was ok in how it works. I used this one in the video -- amzn.to/2RW9PUC But I prefer this one and adding a plate to it --> amzn.to/3gECjuo

[@PanDownTiltLeft]

@@FrameVoyager Thanks FV. I use my OG Pocket a lot with a very lightweight Slik still tripod and it works very well. It was very cheap as well but I have had it over 20 years and no issues. Was looking for a backup for it. That little 3.5 lb version looks just right :)

[@dishabay]

Hello! Tell me, please, what settings do you set on the camera to shoot the sunrise or sunset? Thanks!

[@EXPLOREMOREFILMS]

Great explanation. What underwater housing are you using?

[@chrislutts1993]

I am curious what setting you think would be best for fireworks, assuming drive space is not a issue.. thanks for any insight and thank for the videos while I am learning this camera

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem! Honestly, as high as you can afford to go storage wise. But I'd definitely be using a constant quality option for fireworks.

[@chrislutts1993]

@@FrameVoyager Thank you will give it go this weekend.

[@FrameVoyager]

@@chrislutts1993 good luck!

[@ItsjustJp]

Great video

[@FrameVoyager]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MARZILLI]

Thanks!

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem!

[@dishabay]

Cool!

[@dennis-gr]

Hey John, Very glad I have found your KZbin Channel as I am currently learning with my new pocket 6K pro. It's a perfect timing for your videos about the 6K pro but also about the functions and menus of the 4k, it helps a lot! Your videos are in an extraordinary quality and I hope your channel will receive the attention it deserves. Thank you for explaining the bitrate topic ;) which bitrate would you use for greenscreening and VFX? Should it always be the highest or is it possible to go down a little to safe some space? Greetings from Germany :)

[@FrameVoyager]

Sweet! Glad to have you as part of the Voyager community! I would say for vfx and green screen higher bitrate options would be best. You really want a as much detail as you can get for trackers, effects, etc. That's why a lot of people love the 12k Ursa for production vfx work because of the high level of detail they get. Especially when it come to masking edges and things like that, would be perfect for that! Of course, higher bitrate comes at higher processing and higher storage rates but depending on what you're doing it can make your life a lot easier!

[@dennis-gr]

@@FrameVoyager thank you very much! ;)

[@JourneytoMorocco]

thanks for all the information. I m planning to bcc 6k and i m still don't know which is the best setting for best quality video for music video

[@FrameVoyager]

No problem at all! And yeah, it really just comes down to testing it in different environments and see what works best for you. If there are a lot of fine details in the music video maybe go midrange with your bitrate settings? Still always encourage you to test it out and see what works best for you!

[@jordanpryce8964]

Does bitrate have an effect on highlight recovery in BRaw? Also, it might be a little nitpicky but you breathe air in your cylinder, not oxygen. ;)

[@FrameVoyager]

Haha you're right about the air thing 😂 I keep saying that for some reason even though I know it's like 20% oxygen in the cylinder. I would say bitrate can help in that area for sure. Maybe not like a major major help in recovery, but with more information sometimes it definitely contribute. Still, not much you can do when the sensor is peaking by a lot.

[@insayno]

Is the Q3 and Q1 update also available for the Ursa G2?

[@FrameVoyager]

I don't think so. Unfortunately BMD has not updated the software in a while

[@survivinginthedolomites8530]

i don't get it the 3:1, does that have something in common with the crop of the video/screen?

[@FrameVoyager]

Good question! And no, it has to do with how much bitrate is being used when filming. So it's essentially compressing the raw bitrate 3:1. So each time you take a step back to like 5:1 your reducing the amount of bitrate per shot making you have smaller recorded files but with less info

[@sobadaham]

Hey, great video..! I have a question. Does shooting in Constant Quality (let's say Q1) matter if I export the video in Davinci Resolve for youtube? (where I usually type in a bitrate of 40000kbps for 4K video)

[@FrameVoyager]

So, you'll always compress your videos down. It's just having them at a higher quality before they get compressed keeps them looking nice! I think 40MBs is pretty good for 4k. I usually am at like 68MBs for KZbin but it's not necessary

[@sobadaham]

@@FrameVoyager Thanks. I'll try Q3 for my next shoot.

[@insayno]

Double your bitrate with the export. It does wonders.

[@sobadaham]

@@insayno 80000kbps in 4K for KZbin right? 🙂

[@TimandLauren]

hey voyager, former fx3 user here and wanting to get in the bm world would you recommend the bmpcc 6k pro over the bmpcc 6k for image quality?

[@FrameVoyager]

I think they're both about the same as I believe the sensors are the same from what I can tell. The 6K pro just has a couple extras for it like internal ND filters which is nice!

[@TimandLauren]

@@FrameVoyager thanks voyager! I heard the internal nd has some ir pollution, you ever notice that?

[@MrTooFunny16]

What would you recommend for VFX shots?

[@FrameVoyager]

I would recommend maybe higher bitrate settings for that? It just depends on what it is you're trying to do with your VFX shot. the higher the quality the easier the tracking might be if you're tracking objects and things like that. I would test it out first though and see if there sis any marketable difference for what you do personally. But if you're really getting up close with the footage with masking, roto-scoping, or doing fine details having that extra bit of clarity will help you out

[@jm_strategic]

Do you find that there is a playback and scrubbing lag when a file is CQ?

[@FrameVoyager]

Only at like at higher settings. The T5 cards seem to be iffy on handling it so it just be a cabling issue and hard drive speed issue. Might do a video here soon testing out different recommended hard drives to see which are reliable

[@LuigiHilaire]

Can you help us find a good computer or laptop to run Davinci resolve? Thx in advance

[@FrameVoyager]

What's your budget?

[@dantediego]

what constant bitrate do you use for your KZbin videos?

[@FrameVoyager]

12:1 to one typically. Helps me with space! haha

[@dantediego]

@@FrameVoyager thanks!

[@aarontimizar]

Does the bit rate affect the rolling shutter performance?

[@GameUnkasa]

No, rolling shutter has to do with the sensor... If something is moving too fast for the sensor to capture it.

[@epambos]

Helpful video overall, but the discussion on Bitrate is oversimplified and still unclear.

[@ozzozz3529]

so, u mean there is no media to 6k raw, we can record whole day?????????

[@DiCapitanLTD]

Me waiting for a .mp4 option on my blackmagick 6k gen 2 ☠️☠️☠️☠️ hahahahaha

[@24thclassiccinema]

Hi, just want to know 16gb Mac Mini M1 is it comfortable editing with Bmpcc 6k pro ? plz confirm me.

[@memes.power.respect.]

Barely.

[@24thclassiccinema]

@@memes.power.respect. Means ??

[@shotsi673]

The question then becomes why would you need a 6k camera if your video ends up on KZbin?

[@FrameVoyager]

If you ever want to punch in or downscale the 6k footage it has it's uses. You have some creative ways you can utilize the extra pixels

[@showdosoba]

If i shot a music video ? Whats your opion on the bitrate should be ?

[@FrameVoyager]

Honestly it would depend on each shot. But since it's heavy movement maybe a like 8:1 for normal shots and anything with complex movements or particles jack it up. Honestly just comes down to each particular shot, hard to judge without knowing more than that.

[@darkcarbonproductions8881]

1st

[@FrameVoyager]

Thanks for being here 😉

[@bonzology322]

i like your vids, but do you not hear how much louder your music is than your voice? rms or normaling is what amateurs do, music is so compressed these days that normalizing and peak leveling is useless, it's not linear, look up fletcher munson effect, compression makes low levels louder, your voice is no match for compressed music when normalized or "level matched", always make your voice louder than music, between parts and with a music bed, hope this helps

[@FrameVoyager]

Yeah, this was from 2 years ago. Definitely had my music level to loud

[@quietlyworking]

Very helpful 😁 thank you!

[@FrameVoyager]

Glad it was helpful!