Intermediate codec
Capture codecs squeeze footage for storage, and delivery codecs squeeze it for streaming. Between those two stages sits the edit, where the priority is fast decode and stable quality across many generations. An intermediate codec, also called a mezzanine codec, fills that gap. ProRes and DNxHR are the two dominant families: each frame is stored on its own, so the CPU reads any point in the timeline without rebuilding from neighbours.
This matters because an edit master is re-encoded several times during colour, sound, and effects passes. A long-GOP capture codec would degrade with each round, while an intermediate codec holds its quality. Editors transcode camera files to ProRes 422 or DNxHR HQX, finish the project on that master, then export a compressed delivery file at the very end.
Examples
- •ProRes 422 HQ as the edit master for a broadcast documentary
- •DNxHR HQX as the conform codec inside Avid Media Composer
- •A mixed-camera shoot unified to a single intermediate codec before the edit
In Sanbila
Sanbila stores your original camera files in the cloud and streams them at full quality for finishing, so you can conform straight onto the originals or onto an intermediate codec without keeping terabytes on your local SSD.
Frequently asked questions
How is Sanbila different from the proxy generator built into my NLE?+
Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro and Avid all generate proxies locally, but they keep the original full-resolution files on the same SSD — so the disk fills up twice. Sanbila stores the originals in the cloud (Cloudflare R2) and keeps only the lightweight proxies on your machine. At export, Smart Relink streams the originals back via a local WebDAV mount, so you finish at full quality without ever downloading the source files.
Does Sanbila work offline?+
Yes for editing — once a proxy is cached on your SSD, you can cut, trim, color and arrange your timeline without an internet connection. You only need network access for the initial import (uploading originals to the cloud) and for the final export (streaming originals back via WebDAV).
How much cloud storage does the free plan include?+
The free plan includes 5 GB of cloud storage and one project, with no credit card required. Paid plans start at $49 per month for 2 TB and 50 projects, going up to 25 TB on the Enterprise plan with overage billing for teams that need more.
What upload speed do I need to use Sanbila?+
Any broadband connection works for the initial upload — Sanbila chunks files into 50 MB parts and uploads in parallel, so a typical 100 Mbps fiber line uploads 1 hour of 4K H.264 footage in about 6 minutes. After upload, day-to-day editing happens on local proxies, so your connection speed only matters again at export time when originals are streamed.
Which video formats does Sanbila support?+
Sanbila handles 22+ formats out of the box: MP4, MOV, MXF, R3D (RED RAW), BRAW (Blackmagic RAW), ARRI proxies, ProRes, DNxHR, DNxHD, H.264, H.265, plus WAV and AAC for audio. Both 4K and 8K sources are supported up to 200 GB per single file (URL imports have no size limit).
Related terms
Sources
- Apple ProRes white paper · Apple
- Avid DNxHR and DNxHD codec family · Avid