Raw Converter from ProRes RAW into CinemaDNG – Now Available for Windows

Software News

by Jakub HanFebruary 7^th, 2023

Finally, Raw Converter is now not only available for macOS but also for Windows 10. The app can convert ProRes RAW files from any supported camera into CinemaDNG for native import into DaVinci Resolve. It provides batch conversion including audio and timecode and the output compression method can be selected between an uncompressed 16-bit format and various lossy compression levels.

Thanks to Atomos and their compact video recorders, and camera manufacturers enabling raw video output even for affordable mirrorless cameras, filmmakers can nowadays use Apple’s 12-bit compressed raw video codec – ProRes RAW – relatively easily. That is if they do not use Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve for the post-production. Unfortunately, the popular NLE still does not natively support ProRes RAW.

Though all hope is not lost, as there is an app that can convert ProRes RAW footage into CinemaDNG, which can then be imported into DaVinci Resolve while retaining the features of raw footage: Raw Converter. I first wrote about the Raw Converter app in December 2021 shortly after it was first launched, though it Initially only came out on macOS (12 or higher). No after many requests, the app creators recently added a Windows version.

Raw Converter for Windows

As I said before, bringing the Raw Converter to the Windows platform was one of the most frequent requests since the macOS version came out in 2021. The Windows app, of course, works in the same way as the macOS version. It provides batch conversion of raw video files from ProRes RAW format into a CinemaDNG reel including audio and timecode. The output compression method can be selected between an uncompressed 16-bit format and a lossy compression of various compression levels.

When it comes to the file size, the resulting cDNG files can even be smaller than the source ProRes RAW file depending on the compression. Here is an example of cDNG exports from a 4.96GB original ProRes RAW file:

• cDNG Lossless – 12.54GB
• cDNG 3:1 – 6.0 GB
• cDNG 5:1 – 2.43 GB
• cDNG 7:1 – 1.53 GB
• cDNG uncompressed – 24.18 GB

Raw Converter for Windows uses the x64 architecture and it is compatible with Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher.

List of supported cameras growing continuously

Initially, the app only supported ProRes RAW files recorded by the Atomos Ninja V from a few Sony and Nikon mirrorless cameras. Over time, the app developers added support for many more camera models. Unfortunately, every camera requires individual calibration, so each new model needs to be added manually based on sample footage.

Right now, the following cameras are supported:

• Sony ILCE-7SM3 (Sony a7S III)
• Sony ILME-FX3 (Sony FX3)
• Sony ILME-FX6 (Sony FX6)
• Sony ILCE-1 (Sony a1)
• Sony ILME-FX30 (Sony FX30)
• Nikon Z6
• Nikon Z6 II
• Nikon Z7
• Nikon Z7 II
• Nikon Z9
• ZCAM E2
• ZCAM E2-F6
• ZCAM E2-M4
• ZCAM E2-S6
• ZCAM E2-S6G
• FUJIFILM GFX100
• FUJIFILM GFX100s
• FUJIFILM X-H2S
• SIGMA fp
• SIGMA fp L
• Canon EOS R5
• Canon EOS R5C
• DJI X7
• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
• Olympus OM-1
• Panasonic GH6

It is good to finally see Panasonic on the list as well. It seems, however, that adding support for any older Panasonic LUMIX camera (as requested many times) will not be possible due to technical reasons.

Pricing and availability

The Raw Converter for Windows is now available to download from the Microsoft store. The pricing remained the same as with the macOS version which is still available at the Apple app store. The app can convert 300 frames of footage (including audio) free of charge to test the capability. For full-length conversion, an in-app purchase is available. The license currently costs around $75 per camera.

It is unfortunate that in 2023, DaVinci Resolve users still have to go through this workaround instead of importing ProRes RAW natively into the NLE. But well, at least there is a solution. We can only hope that this will be possible natively soon.

Do you have to work with ProRes RAW footage in DaVinci Resolve? Did you try the Raw Converter to get cDNG files before? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.