Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Elgato 4K X VS Atomos Ninja V 8 Bit vs 10 Bit video and why there is no difference on YouTube in SDR
Checkout my Elgato 4K X playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLleKChtNUwZTxzhTWi-JG_UGhEQcb00pC
So in this super long and boring video I explain and show why capturing 8 bit video and 10 bit video using the same codec will give the same results once delivered to an 8 bit output or 8 bit platform, such as YouTube for its SDR Standard Dynamic Range video streams.
To do this I simultaneously record the same 4K 60FPS 10 Bit output from my Xbox Series to my Elgato 4K X and my Atomos Ninja V. The Elgato 4K X is using a transport stream of 8 Bit video precession with a chroma subsampling 4:2:0, which is NV12. Thus meaning that no matter how that video transport stream is recorded and with what codec, the fundamental video properties will always be 8 Bit 4:2:0 The Atomos Ninja V on the other hand is recording 10 Bit 4:2:2
The Elgato 4K X's video transport stream is recorded into the same ProRes 422 HQ codec that the Ninja V uses. However, and as already mentioned, the Elgato video stream is still 8 bit 4:2:0, it's just padded into 10 Bit 4:2:2
The use of ProRes 422 HQ with the Elgato 4K X just ensures that we are using an intra-frame codec with very low compression. Basically matching the Ninja recoding.
Now once we go to 8 Bit and 4:2:0 for either the intermediate delivery codec or the final streaming platform. All 10 bit data is truncated to 8 bit and the chroma subsampling of 4:2:2 is further reduced to 4:2:0
This results in both the Elgato and Ninja recordings looking identical as far as their picture quality and chroma quality are concerned, once the final playback or streaming is in 8 Bit 4:2:0. Due to the process of truncation effectively turning the Ninja recoding into the same initial properties as the Elgato recording, 8 Bit 4:2:0
This video also shows why it's more important to use a good production codec that's using intra-frame frame encoding and a low compression rate, high bitrate. As this type of recoding will help to maintain more temporal and resolution information as the video signal passes through post production to it's final 8 bit and low bitrate destination.
Video chapters (if I can think of anything more descriptive I'll add it later):
00:00 Intro and technical explanation of the test and video
09:19 Chapter 2
23:29 Chapter 3
36:07 Chapter 4
45:43 Chapter 5
49:02 Chapter 6
Downloadable video examples:
I will add these soon, they are too large for my cloud storage at the moment.
AMAZON ASSOCIATE DISCLOSURE:
I am an Amazon Associate.
My Amazon links are Amazon affiliate links.
I earn money from qualifying purchases when you use my Amazon affiliate links.
OTHER EARNINGS AND COMMISSIONS:
I also earn money from other product links within my video description.
For the sake of clarity and for the avoidance of any confusion, assume that I earn money from commissions from any and all links that I have within my video description.
Amazon links to stuff used in this video:
The gear that I use, have used or reviewed that I would recommend.
Cameras: amzn.to/3PzC8mI
Microphones: amzn.to/3tD6FaM
Computers: amzn.to/3tuwHNr
Phones: amzn.to/3ttqjWN
iPads & Tablets: amzn.to/46t8wxG
You can also send me a coffee donation via PayPal if you found my video super helpful:
paypal.me/DavidHarry
My Amazon pages with videos and product links:
Amazon USA amazon.com/shop/davidharry
Amazon UK amazon.co.uk/shop/davidharry
If you would like to help my channel please use my global Amazon Affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission for anything you buy from Amazon when using these links. These commissions don't cost you any extra but really do help me to buy gear for my productions and to review:
Amazon USA: geni.us/Amazon-USA
Amazon UK: geni.us/Amazon-UK
Amazon Deutschland: geni.us/Amazon-Deutschland
Amazon France: geni.us/Amazon-France
Amazon España: geni.us/Amazon-Espana
Amazon Italia: geni.us/Amazon-Italia
Amazon Canada: geni.us/Amazon-Canada
Contact for product reviews: YouTube@DavidHarry.com
DavidHarry.com
I'm David Harry. Thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now.
Cheers,
Dave.
#DavidHarry#LiverpoolTV
Elgato 4K X VS Atomos Ninja V 8 Bit vs 10 Bit video and why there is no difference on YouTube in SDR
Checkout my Elgato 4K X playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLleKChtNUwZTxzhTWi-JG_UGhEQcb00pC
So in this super long and boring video I explain and show why capturing 8 bit video and 10 bit video using the same codec will give the same results once delivered to an 8 bit output or 8 bit platform, such as YouTube for its SDR Standard Dynamic Range video streams.
To do this I simultaneously record the same 4K 60FPS 10 Bit output from my Xbox Series to my Elgato 4K X and my Atomos Ninja V. The Elgato 4K X is using a transport stream of 8 Bit video precession with a chroma subsampling 4:2:0, which is NV12. Thus meaning that no matter how that video transport stream is recorded and with what codec, the fundamental video properties will always be 8 Bit 4:2:0 The Atomos Ninja V on the other hand is recording 10 Bit 4:2:2
The Elgato 4K X's video transport stream is recorded into the same ProRes 422 HQ codec that the Ninja V uses. However, and as already mentioned, the Elgato video stream is still 8 bit 4:2:0, it's just padded into 10 Bit 4:2:2
The use of ProRes 422 HQ with the Elgato 4K X just ensures that we are using an intra-frame codec with very low compression. Basically matching the Ninja recoding.
Now once we go to 8 Bit and 4:2:0 for either the intermediate delivery codec or the final streaming platform. All 10 bit data is truncated to 8 bit and the chroma subsampling of 4:2:2 is further reduced to 4:2:0
This results in both the Elgato and Ninja recordings looking identical as far as their picture quality and chroma quality are concerned, once the final playback or streaming is in 8 Bit 4:2:0. Due to the process of truncation effectively turning the Ninja recoding into the same initial properties as the Elgato recording, 8 Bit 4:2:0
This video also shows why it's more important to use a good production codec that's using intra-frame frame encoding and a low compression rate, high bitrate. As this type of recoding will help to maintain more temporal and resolution information as the video signal passes through post production to it's final 8 bit and low bitrate destination.
Video chapters (if I can think of anything more descriptive I'll add it later):
00:00 Intro and technical explanation of the test and video
09:19 Chapter 2
23:29 Chapter 3
36:07 Chapter 4
45:43 Chapter 5
49:02 Chapter 6
Downloadable video examples:
I will add these soon, they are too large for my cloud storage at the moment.
AMAZON ASSOCIATE DISCLOSURE:
I am an Amazon Associate.
My Amazon links are Amazon affiliate links.
I earn money from qualifying purchases when you use my Amazon affiliate links.
OTHER EARNINGS AND COMMISSIONS:
I also earn money from other product links within my video description.
For the sake of clarity and for the avoidance of any confusion, assume that I earn money from commissions from any and all links that I have within my video description.
Amazon links to stuff used in this video:
The gear that I use, have used or reviewed that I would recommend.
Cameras: amzn.to/3PzC8mI
Microphones: amzn.to/3tD6FaM
Computers: amzn.to/3tuwHNr
Phones: amzn.to/3ttqjWN
iPads & Tablets: amzn.to/46t8wxG
You can also send me a coffee donation via PayPal if you found my video super helpful:
paypal.me/DavidHarry
My Amazon pages with videos and product links:
Amazon USA amazon.com/shop/davidharry
Amazon UK amazon.co.uk/shop/davidharry
If you would like to help my channel please use my global Amazon Affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission for anything you buy from Amazon when using these links. These commissions don't cost you any extra but really do help me to buy gear for my productions and to review:
Amazon USA: geni.us/Amazon-USA
Amazon UK: geni.us/Amazon-UK
Amazon Deutschland: geni.us/Amazon-Deutschland
Amazon France: geni.us/Amazon-France
Amazon España: geni.us/Amazon-Espana
Amazon Italia: geni.us/Amazon-Italia
Amazon Canada: geni.us/Amazon-Canada
Contact for product reviews: YouTube@DavidHarry.com
DavidHarry.com
I'm David Harry. Thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now.
Cheers,
Dave.
#DavidHarry#LiverpoolTV
