A 10-minute ProRes 422 HQ file is roughly 45GB. A 10-minute ProRes 4444 file is closer to 80GB.
These are not large files in an unusual sense. These are normal ProRes file sizes. The problem is that most file transfer tools are not built for them.
When should you actually send ProRes?
Send ProRes when the client needs to do further editing, color grade, or use the footage in another production. This means:
- Post houses doing color grading or finishing
- Editors at agencies incorporating your footage into a larger cut
- Broadcast deliverables requiring specific format specifications
- Archiving a master for future use
Do not send ProRes to a marketing manager reviewing a final cut. They cannot open it without professional software, and it serves no purpose. Send H.264 for review and approval. Send ProRes only when the post workflow requires it.
Why standard tools fail for ProRes
WeTransfer free: 3GB limit. A 1-minute ProRes 4444 clip exceeds this.
Google Drive: Technically has no upload limit, but downloads of large files show a virus-scan warning that confuses clients. Also requires a Google account to download reliably.
Dropbox: Requires a Dropbox account for the recipient in some configurations. Post houses may have one, but verify before sending.
Email: Completely out of the question. 25MB limit.
Smash: Free tier is slow and queued. Large ProRes files may take hours on the free tier.
How to send a ProRes file
Use a delivery tool with a large file limit
You need a tool that supports at least 50GB per transfer, ideally 200GB to cover ProRes 4444 on longer edits. The tool must support multipart upload: this breaks the file into chunks and uploads them in parallel, which is faster and can resume if your connection drops.
Uploading a 45GB file on a standard home connection (100Mbps upload) takes roughly 1 hour. On a fast office connection (500Mbps upload), around 12 minutes. Plan accordingly.
Verify the upload completed before sharing the link
After a large upload, check that the file size shown on the delivery page matches what you uploaded. A 45.2GB upload should show 45.2GB on the download page. If it shows a different size, the upload may have been interrupted.
Password-protect the file
ProRes masters are high-value material. Lock them with a password and send the password in a separate message from the link.
Set a longer expiry
Post houses and editors may need to access the file over several weeks as they work through the project. Set the link expiry to 30 days. Do not use 7-day default expiry for ProRes deliveries.
Include file information in your message
When sharing the link, include the file specs in your message:
- Codec: ProRes 422 HQ or ProRes 4444
- Resolution: 4K, 6K, etc.
- Frame rate: 24fps, 25fps, etc.
- Color space: Rec.709, LOG, S-Log3, etc.
- Audio: channels, sample rate
Post houses need this to set up their ingest correctly. Including it with the delivery link saves a follow-up email.
What to do if your ProRes file is above 200GB
Very long ProRes 4444 projects can exceed 200GB. Options:
Split by reel or sequence. If you have multiple scenes or sequences, deliver them as separate uploads rather than one combined file.
Use ProRes 422 instead of 4444. If the client does not need the extra color information in 4444, ProRes 422 HQ is roughly half the file size with minimal quality difference for most workflows.
Use MASV. MASV is built for broadcast and enterprise-grade large file delivery. It is more expensive but handles files up to 15TB.
ProRes vs H.264: which to send?
| Scenario | Send |
|---|---|
| Client reviews the final cut | H.264 |
| Client approves and is done | H.264 |
| Post house doing color grade | ProRes 422 HQ or 4444 |
| Broadcast delivery | ProRes or DNxHD per spec |
| Agency incorporating footage into another edit | ProRes 422 HQ |
| Archiving a master for future use | ProRes 4444 |
When in doubt: ask before sending. A 45GB upload over a slow connection that the client cannot open is a problem for both of you.
Related guides
- How to send large video files to clients — the full guide covering all methods and file types
- How to deliver 4K video to clients — codec decisions, expiry settings, and the pre-send checklist
- How to send large video files from iPhone — delivering ProRes from iPhone 15 Pro and later
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a ProRes file without re-encoding?
Yes. Upload the original ProRes file to a delivery tool that supports large files. The client downloads the exact file you uploaded. No re-encoding happens.
How long does it take to upload a 40GB ProRes file?
On a 100Mbps upload connection, roughly 53 minutes. On a 500Mbps connection, around 11 minutes. Upload speed depends on your internet connection. ProRes files are large and require patience on slower connections.
What if my client cannot open a ProRes file?
ProRes is an Apple codec. On Mac, it opens in QuickTime Player natively. On Windows, clients need to install the Apple ProRes codec or use VLC media player. If your client is on Windows and does not have a professional editing setup, send H.264 instead.
Is ProRes 422 or ProRes 4444 better for delivery?
ProRes 4444 includes alpha channel data and higher color fidelity. Use it only if the client needs to composite the footage. For everything else, ProRes 422 HQ delivers excellent quality at roughly half the file size.
Why is my ProRes file so much larger than expected?
ProRes prioritizes quality over compression. A 10-minute 4K ProRes 422 HQ file is approximately 45GB. A 10-minute 4K H.264 at high bitrate is approximately 4GB. This is expected. ProRes is an editing codec, not a delivery codec.
