Thanks for clearing that up David :)

Is there a way to technically look at a file and see if it's 10-bit or 8-bit, as well as the color-sampling?

I don't see this via MediaInfo.

Our files are always 10-bit. It is up to the app and setups to decode using a deep pixel format. In FCP that is 'v210' (10-bit YUV 4:2:2) or 'r4fl' (32-bit float YUVA 4:4:4:4)

Thanks... what I mean is, do you know of a generic way to determine the bit-depth and color-sampling of a video? Let's assume it's some obscure codec that doesn't have the CTO available to provide such info :)

I.e. I can't see the information via mediainfo.

That is tough. Compression obfuscates the internal precision from the the rest of the system, so anything reported in the header would be more marketing info that technical. We even under report our capabilities in the header to unsure the widest compatibility (in MOVs we say we're 24-bit no matter what is in it so we get better performance in FCP.) Codec can only really be tested through its color-correctability, there we basically have no competition, as even if the application is only 8-bit, FirstLight enables deep correction.

Here's what I would do....

I'd download the trial version of Neo HD for Mac. The ReMaster app included in NeoHD will rewrap the CineForm AVI files to MOV. It will work with full functionality for 15 days. This will also give you a chance to play with First Light, which as you can read about on various threads here, is a valuable non-destructive color correction tool.

In the worst case when the trial expires you'll still have 10-bit CineForm MOV files. But you might also become a convert to the workflow value that First Light offers through an upgrade to NeoHD.

Thank you all!