In April 2018 Apple released ProRes RAW, which is built upon the same technology as other ProRes codecs but is directly applied to the raw data coming from the sensor. Most probably, Apple’s mission was that this codec will be implemented by other camera manufacturers. However, as of today, only one camera is able to output ProRes RAW internally, which is the DJI Zenmuse X7. Why?
Apple ProRes RAW
ProRes RAW was established in 2018 (based on the same principles and underlying technology as existing ProRes codecs that were introduced in 2007), as Appleโs answer to allow raw output for video professionals. In fact, Apple has designed a graphic card that is aimed to facilitate post-production workflow by only accelerating ProRes RAW (Afterburner). BTW, itโll be interesting to reveal how many Afterburner cards were sold. Anyway, till now, thereโs only one camera that supports this RAW internally: The DJI Zenmuse X7.
ProRes RAW: Externally
Currently, there are more than 25 cameras that are able to shoot ProRes RAW externally. Now itโs time to be reminded that Atomos is paying RED Digital Cinema for the license to record ProRes RAW, as a result of a legal compromise between the two companies. The cameras listed below will record ProRes RAW media when using supported Atomos recorders.
- Canon EOS C300 Mark II
- Canon EOS C500
- Fujifilm GFX100
- Fujifilm GFX100S
- Nikon Z 6
- Nikon Z 6II
- Nikon Z 7
- Nikon Z 7II
- Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
- Olympus OM-D E-M1X
- Panasonic EVA1
- Panasonic S1H
- Panasonic S5
- Panasonic VariCam LT
- Sigma fp
- Sigma fp L
- Sony Alpha a1 (ILCE-1)
- Sony ILCE-7SM3 (Alpha a7S III)
- Sony ILME-FX3
- Sony ILME-FX6
- Sony NEX-FS700 / FS700R
- Sony PXW-FS5 / FS5M2
- Sony PXW-FS7 with XDCA-FX7
- Sony PXW-FX9 with XDCA-FX9
- Z CAM E2
- Z CAM E2C
- Z CAM E2-F6
- Z CAM E2-F8
- Z CAM E2-M4
- Z CAM E2-S6
DJI Zenmuse X7: ProRes RAW internally
The Zenmuse X7 is a very unique camera due to the reason itโs the only camera that is able to shoot ProRes RAW internally. The capability to shoot ProRes RAW was announced in 2018, as stated back then in the DJI press release: โWe are thrilled that the Zenmuse X7 has become the first aerial camera to support Appleโs new ProRes RAW standardโฆWith the RAW activation package, ProRes RAW files are recorded natively in the Zenmuse X7 and can be transferred directly to Final Cut Pro for post-productionโ. Also, it has been said that: โDJI has obtained authorization from Apple for the latest Apple ProRes RAW. When mounted to the Inspire 2, the Zenmuse X7 is capable of recording 6K 14-bit Apple ProRes RAW video at 23.976 fpsโ.
Discussion
This is quite an interesting debate. How did DJI manage to bypass the patent war zone? For instance, the new Kinefinity MAVO Edge was planned to output ProRes RAW internally as well, but the feature has been neutralized due to patent infringement. Whatโs so special about the Zenmuse X7 making it the first and only camera that capable of shooting ProRes RAW internally, while all other 30 cameras can do it only externally (via Atomos)? Itโs a good question, and we donโt have the answer. Well, feel free to enlighten us in the comments section below.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.ย
- DJI Zenmuse X7 Camera and 3-Axis Gimbal
DJI Zenmuse X7 is shoot ProRes RAW externally
Exactly. This is has been well documented already.
Where is that documentation?
The x7 doesnโt process video, it is the remote sensor and lens for the cinecore processing unit that is onboard the inspire 2
The inspire 2 aircraft is a separate device from the zenmuse x7 camera, the recording is done in the aircraftโs onboard Cinecore processing unit โ essentially an external recorder.
The article raises a question in the tile and then ends with โwe donโt have the answerโ
Thanks for wasting my time.
It explains why the ProRes RAW license is so darn expensive for the Inspire 2.
A good part of that $2,900 you pay for the Zenmuse goes for the ProRes license. Other camera manufacturers choose to not saddle their customers with this expense.
You have to pay for the license separately and it applies the aircraft not the camera.
I donโt get it, I have the DJI Zenmuse X5s for the Inspire 2 and I bought the ProRes license; and the ProRes files are recorded natively and can be transferred directly to Final Cut Pro for post-productionโฆ
But is that ProRes Raw that your X5S is shooting? The whole issue with infringing on REDs patent is that it canโt be internal RAW recording. Regular ProRes 422, HQ and 4444 are not raw codecs.
The whole premise of this article is flawed anyway since even when the X7 records RAW itโs not doing in internally. The camera is a separate instrument on the Inspire 2 than the โCineCoreโ hardware which process the video on the drone itself not the camera which essentially is just a gimbal attached sensor and lens.
You made a whole article to ask a question you donโt answer ? ???
The bigger question is how does Canon record internal raw to their cameras?
Also, why donโt camera manufacturers just use compressed raw on image sequences that the user can turn into an image sequence in post. Like cDNG except with higher lossy compression? Surely RED doesnโt have a patent on compressed raw still images.
Canon pays RED a licensing fee. Itโs one of the few camera manufacturers to have reached a deal with RED for internal RAW recording.
CDNG was a lot like what your referring too and that could be a work around for a 24-120 FPS โstillโ camera that people could turn into video later. The workflow might be a bit klunky though as any steps towards making it video friendly would probably start to converge with REDs patents.
This leaves out that ProRes Raw was co-invented by Apple and Atomos. They are both victims of the derelict USPTO and the erroneous court decision that allowed software patents, which are supposed to be illegal, to become reality. Until we get real patent reform that abolishes software patents and โbusienss-methodโ patents, the holders of these bullshit patents will continue to use them to steal othersโ work.
You do not have the answer to the question how DJI’s Zenmuse X7 records Apple ProRes Raw internally… BECAUSE IT DOES NOT. Only when the X7 is hooked up to the Inspire 2 drone, the drone can record in Apple ProRes Raw using the Zenmuse X7 camera.