The Rise of Video Recorders
A trend in the last decade was adoption of file-based workflows. Tape recording is now seldom used.
Many cameras have now HDMI, HD-SDI (or 3G/6G-SDI) and 4K-SDI (12G/6G) allowing output to be recorded externally.
External recorders extend the possibilities of video cameras in terms of format, quality, bitrate, audio capture and workflow.
Internal camera recording can also happen in parallel without external output in some cameras.

Solid state drives (SSD) and high-speed connectivity through HD-SDI and Thunderbolt enable live recording of RAW and uncompressed feeds from 2K and 4K cameras.
ProRes and DNxHD formats, previously only used in post-production, are now productions formats. External Recorders are also important for Cinema, 4K and RAW workflows.
Most common failure modes seen in video recorders are loss of power during file transfer or recording, drive ejected when device not ready, loss of HD-SDI or HDMI signal, and software malfunction.
Production Formats
Format | Most Common Recorders | Treasured Support |
---|---|---|
ProRes | AJA Ki Pro family BlackMagic Design Atomos Ninja, Samurai, Ronin, Shogun Cinedeck EX MX RX Sound Devices PIX series |
Yes, including 4K since version 3 Plans: Production HQ, Event HQ |
DNxHD | Aja Ki Pro Mini BlackMagic Design Atomos Ninja 2, Samurai, Ronin, Shogun Cinedeck EX MX RX Sound Devices PIX series Convergent Design Odyssey7 |
Yes Plans: Production HQ, Event HQ |
H.264 | BlackMagic Design H.264 Pro Recorder BlackMagic ATEM Television Studio Cinedeck EX MX RX |
Yes Plans: Production HQ, Event HQ |
MPEG-2 422 XDCAM HD Canon XF IMX |
Convergent Design NanoFlash Convergent Design Odyssey7 BlackMagic UltraStudio |
Yes Plans: Production HQ, Event HQ |

4K and Cinema Formats, RAW Worflows
Format | Recorders | Treasured Support |
---|---|---|
ProRes 4K | AJA Ki Pro Quad BlackMagic Design Atomos Shogun |
Yes, since version 3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
Sony RAW | Sony AXSR5 recorder |
Yes, since version 3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
CineForm RAW | Cinedeck EX MX RX | Yes, since version 3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
ARRIRAW | Convergent Design Odyssey7Q Convergent Design Gemini 444 Codex Onboard PLUS ARRI XR |
Yes, since version 3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
Canon RAW | Convergent Design Odyssey7Q Convergent Design Gemini 444 Codex Onboard PLUS AstroDesign HR series |
Yes, since version 3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
Sony XAVC AVC-Intra |
BlackMagic UltraStudio |
Yes, since version 3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
DNxHR | Atomos Shogun |
Yes, since version 3.3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
Uncompressed 8bit, 10bit YUV, RGB |
BlackMagic Design Cinedeck EX MX RX Convergent Design Odyssey7 Convergent Design Gemini 444 Codex Onboard ARRI XR |
Yes, since version 3.3 Plan: 4K and Cinema |
Updated Oct 2015. 4K and Cinema industry are moving very fast, and this information may be inaccurate in the next months.