Bitrate confusion: HD vs. DV archival

[taigi]

A GPT model suggested 15 Mbps for archiving HD footage and 25 Mbps for DV using x264. This seems backwards. Shouldn't HD require a higher bitrate?

Thanks.

[davexnet]

GPT? "HD footage" ? DV ?
what is this source? Something direct from the camera? Blu-ray?

Native DV is already 25mbps.

What do you mean by "archive" ?

[Cornucopia]

Don't listen to AI. It's only able to rehash what it's been taught, and certainly in this instance it wasn't taught correctly.

Always archive at the best possible quality you can, remembering that you can't really get better than the original/source.

If you can manage it, archive lossless.
If you can't manage that, archive only slightly lossy using a DI format (prores, dnxhr, cineform, hqx...)
If you cant manage that, archive using a medium lossy, Intraframe codec (AVC Intra, MPEG2 Iframe/Imx, DV).
If none of those are comfortable for you (in which case, you must be very constrained for space), then archive at good QP/CRF AVC, HEVC interframe).
Again, if your source is already lower in bitrate than these archive formats, just archive your source.

Notice I didn't put numbers to them. Because you have to balance quality vs runtimes vs capacity, being mindful of whether you want to easily retain editability.


Scott

[taigi]

Yes, I think your suggestion "Don't listen to AI" is relatable, especially for AI that we have in late 2024.