Final Cut Pro Certification Practice Test

Which file format is best suited for high-quality video export while maintaining file size?

1. ProRes

2. MP4

3. Avid DNxHD

4. AVI

The correct answer is: ProRes

ProRes is a high-quality video format developed by Apple, widely used in professional video production and post-production workflows. It strikes an optimal balance between maintaining sufficient quality for editing and achieving reasonable file sizes, making it well-suited for high-quality exports. The ProRes codec preserves the visual quality during extensive editing and effects applications, which is essential in professional environments where maintaining the integrity of the footage is crucial. Additionally, it offers various compression levels that allow creators to choose the appropriate quality-to-file size ratio based on their specific needs. In contrast, while MP4 is a widely used format that often offers smaller file sizes, it can compress video to a level where quality is sacrificed, especially for editing purposes. Avid DNxHD is also a high-quality format like ProRes but tends to have larger file sizes compared to ProRes, making it less ideal in scenarios where file size is a concern. AVI, on the other hand, is an older format that generally results in very large files without necessarily providing superior quality, and it is not as widely used in modern workflows. Thus, ProRes remains the best option for high-quality video exports with manageable file sizes.