As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Multiply that by 24 or 30 frames per second, and you’ve got video—a powerful tool for storytelling. But handling high-resolution video files can be resource-intensive and sluggish, thus offsetting your creative process. This is where proxies come into the picture. So let’s dive in, and explore the world of proxies in video editing.
Understanding Proxies
A proxy in video editing refers to a low-resolution version of your high-quality footage. This version is easier to work with, especially when your computer lacks the resources to handle larger files. By editing with proxies, you’re able to maintain smooth playback and speed up your workflow without sacrificing the quality of your final output.
Let’s illustrate this with an example. You’ve shot a video in 4K for best quality, but your computer stutters when you try to edit this beast of a file. The solution? Convert this file into a light-weight proxy file. Edit using this proxy, enjoying smooth and fast playback. When ready to export, switch back to your full-quality 4K file for the final product.
Proxies: Concerns and Solutions
The main concerns most editors have about using proxies involve extra time needed for creating proxies, potential for errors when switching between proxies and full-res versions, and increased storage space requirements.
Concerning the timeframe, yes, it does take time to create proxies. However, that operational cost pales in comparison to the time saved during editing. Crucially, many modern video editing software solutions—like Adobe Premiere Pro—allow for automated proxy creation during ingestion, which can offload some of that time cost.
The potential for errors during switching is mitigated by staying organized and properly labeling your proxies and full-res files. This step is crucial and can save you from potential headaches in the future.
Increased storage space demands can be a concern, but considering the smaller size of proxy files, it’s usually a minor increase.
Why Use Proxies?
According to a report by Technavio, the global post-production market is projected to grow by USD 10.07 billion during 2021-2025. Combined with more people delving into video editing due to advances in technology, and the increased demand for businesses to outsource video editing—proxies are becoming crucial to an efficient and scalable video editing workflow.
Here’s why:
Efficiency: Proxies are smaller in size and require less computing power to handle. You can work faster, and your computer can breathe easier.
Accessibility: Thanks to proxies, you don’t need a state-of-the-art workstation to edit high-resolution footage. This makes video editing more accessible.
Flexibility: With cloud storage and proxies, editors can work remotely and collaboratively. Proxies can be uploaded and downloaded faster owing to their size, and this is a game-changer for outsourcing video editing tasks.
Creating & Working with Proxies: A Basic Guide
Creating and working with proxies in video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro is a straightforward process.
When importing your media, you choose to “Create Proxies”. You then select your desired resolution and format. The Media Encoder will then create your proxies in the background while you begin editing.
When ready to edit, switch your viewer to ‘proxy mode’. Edit with ease, using the light-weight files. When ready to export, toggle off the ‘proxy mode’, switching back to the full-resolution files for a quality, final output.
Wrapping Up
In modern video editing workflows, proxies are a potent tool. They can drastically improve accessibility, enhance efficiency, and even enable remote collaborative work within teams. For those who outsource video editing tasks, proxies can facilitate a highly productive process, ensuring quality isn’t compromised while enhancing the speed and efficiency of edits.
While there’s a learning curve associated with using proxies and keeping things organized, the benefits far outweigh the initial effort. They help make your clients happy with swift delivery, your team less stressed with smoother workflows, and let’s not forget—they make your computer happier too
The world of video editing is ever-evolving and adopting the use of proxies is just one powerful trend that can help put you ahead of the game.
