Which is the best way to render your final output. I am not too familiar with compressor and have been exporting to quicktime movie but am unhappy with final image. Will compressor look better?

If you Export>QuickTime Movie (not conversion), use current settings, self contained, it will export from your time line, no loss of quality.
It really makes a difference what you want to do with your exported movie though. Web, dvd, etc.

Which is the best way to render your final output. I am not too familiar with compressor and have been exporting to quicktime movie but am unhappy with final image. Will compressor look better?

When you say "unhappy with the image", what specifically are you not pleased with? As Ken pointed out the desired format will make a difference.

Compressor is a great tool to use, if you know what you want.

I have switched from ppro to fcp. My final destination is for DVD delivery to clients. I notice that the image isn't as sharp as when I used to export out to avi. from ppro. Was unsure if compressor gives better results.

I have switched from ppro to fcp. My final destination is for DVD delivery to clients. I notice that the image isn't as sharp as when I used to export out to avi. from ppro. Was unsure if compressor gives better results.

Still missing some information. You're referring to the .mov out of FCP or the resulting DVD?

I assume you're using DVD Studio Pro to encode, then? Or iDVD? Neither one will give you as much control over the end result as Compressor, and actually iDVD is what I call "quick n' dirty" encoding.

Bottom line, Macs are great video machines- just takes time to figure it out. Compressor is definitely your friend.