I'm new to Final Cut Studio and need help setting up a working capture template and Audio Video settings. Also project settings.
Basically everything to get going.
I have a Sony Z1 with everything shot in Pal HDV 1440 x 1080i.
Final end product will be to DVD MPEG-2
I want to capture to the highest resoultion so should I use Prores? If so, this is where I need help getting set up.
Seems to be many ways to do things and now I'm lost.

Regards

I have a Sony Z1 with everything shot in Pal HDV 1440 x 1080i.
[…]
I want to capture to the highest resoultion so should I use Prores?

D'oh… I just typed a long message and then clicked "Preview Post" and lost everything... cookie/login issue…

The long and short of it is this: no codec will add quality. What you want is maintain quality and make your workflow as easy as possible.

I suggest you go to the Apple Discussion board for FCP and search for "HDV ProRes" and read the many informative threads. In fact, here's the link (http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?objID=f939&search=Go&q=HDV+ProRes). Regular poster 'Studio X' puts it simply: Capture HDV, set the sequence renderer to ProRes.

Another post I would like to quote is from Zak Ray:

ProRes does not make your HDV footage look any better than it if it was just HDV. The only advantages lie in ease of editing (Google "I-frames") and increased quality while color grading / adding graphics/ compositing. If you don't need these advantages, you don't need ProRes.

Thanks Mike,
I was wondering can I capture through Firewire from camera straight to Prores as I dont seem to have this in my capture settings.
I have the sequence render settings as Prores though.

Something is up with the site today as i have posted also and nothing comes up.

Simon

I was wondering can I capture through Firewire from camera straight to Prores

Well, according to this (http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24757?viewlocale=en_US) and this (http://library.creativecow.net/articles/poisson_chris/hdv-prores.php) it is possible. Whether you can, I don't know; you didn't answer my question about technical specs. ;-)

Thanks Mike,
I cant see your question about technical specs?
I use a MBP 17" 2.5 Ghz and looking at the Apple link you suppled the MBP cant do it.

Regards

I cant see your question about technical specs?
D'oh, my bad… that was in the original message that didn't make it out. Sorry!

I use a MBP 17" 2.5 Ghz and looking at the Apple link you suppled the MBP cant do it.
That's a shame, but you can always capture native then batch export to ProRes and work with that media. Or just work native, but make the render sequence settings ProRes.

I don't work with HDV, so I'm not exactly the best person to give you advice, but saw no one else was chiming in… hope I am more help than harm.