Cineform Vs Canopus HQ
 

What's the better codec cineform or canopus HQ and why.

I’m using AVCHD and doing intermediates, one codec is 8 bit the other is 10 bit. Both are 4:2:2, but am I’m going to notice any difference in the bit rate when going from 4:2:0 AVCHD files.

It is my belief, from reading posts here, that they are roughly equivalent. File sizes are bigger for Canopus even though Cineform has two more bits (option?).

Either one will retain all the quality of AVC and take less computing power to edit.

I believe there is a technical difference between the way the two are designed, with Canopus HQ using DCT and Cineform the more modern 'Wavelet' for image coding. (More info on the differences here:A Comparative Study of DCT- and Wavelet-Based Image Coding - Microsoft Research if it's of any interest)

I trialled both, before deciding on Canopus HQ. It certainly seemed to give better results when dealing with interlaced AVCHD footage.

Probably not going to notice a great difference between the two, where your original is 4.2.0 like AVCHD.

As Andy comments, either will make dealing with AVCHD a lot easier!!