… for Codecs & Media

Tip #675: Which Codecs Support Alpha Channels

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Not all codecs support transparency. When you need it, use one of these.

To include transparency in video, you need to create it in software which supports alpha (transparency) channels. These include Final Cut, Motion, Premiere, After Effects, Avid and many other professional editing packages.

Then, you need to choose a codec which also supports alpha channels. Not all of them do.

Rocketstock has compiled a list, though not all of these are video codecs:

• Apple Animation
• Apple ProRes 4444
• Avid DNxHD
• Avid DNxHR
• Avid Meridien
• Cineon
• DPX
• GoPro Cineform
• Maya IFF
• OpenEXR Sequence With Alpha
• PNG Sequence With Alpha
• Targa
• TIFF