Re: Video in viewer is soft when playing, fine when still....?

You can change this behavior in the preferences: Playback quality.

If set to higher performance FCP reduces something (I guess Resolution, but not sure how it works) This way you get more real time performance.

If set to Higher Quality is is best quality ( no visual softening, and no difference between play and pause) but you loose a bit of real time performance.

Try the higher quality and if it works for you than you will not see any difference between play and pause.

Hoope that helps
Carsten