[Lillian Fidler] "Will this be the highest quality HDV?"
No. Apple Intermediate is lossy, and DVCPRO HD, while a good format to originate on, when transcoded to, you lose lines of resolution as it isn't full raster 1920x1080, but 1280x1080.
[Lillian Fidler] " Will there be any generation loss?"
Yes.
[Lillian Fidler] "Would it be preferable to upgrade to a higher version of FCP?"
FCP 6 and 7 to work with that format. FCP 7 better. But FINDING a copy of that? eBay only...or Craigslist. As for FCX...use that if you want. it's very different than FCP of the past.
[Lillian Fidler] "Although I've heard that some people think the older version is better?"
Count me among those who find FCP 7 better. But if you are VERY new to FCP...well, download the trial of FCP X and see if you like it. Only...it will require the Lion OS, and an Intel Mac...a newer computer. If you are running an older copy of FCP, I suspect you are on an older machine.
Shane
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