Apple Pro Res/Apple Intermediate Codecs
 

I use Final Cut Express and therefore do not have access to the Apple Pro Res codecs when converting the raw footage for editing. As such, I have always been using Apple Intermediate Codec but is there any discernable difference between the two? If so, is there any way of getting the Apple Pro Res codecs without buing Final Cut Pro?

The ProRes encoder only comes with Final Cut Studio. If your video is headed for SD, DVD, or personal digital devices, you won't see a significant difference between ProRes and AIC. You're more likely to notice the gamma shift when exporting to H.264. AIC is 4:2:0 8-bit, ProRes is 4:2:2 10-bit, so for fancy schmancy special f/x, gradients, or color correcting you might notice more artifacts in AIC.

Thanks Michael, thanks very useful

Just thought I'd add, ProRes LT and AIC take up almost the same amount of hard disk space. For 1920x1080 60i/30P ProRes LT is approx. 46GB/hr, AIC is 49GB/hr, so if you're doing very simple titling & special f/x, AIC is very good option to ProRes LT.