First off, I use a Sony HC1 to record in HDV mode and I edit on a G5 PM using Final Cut Pro 5.

My problem here is that no matter what I've tried (and I've tried a LOT of things), I cannot get my footage to have a "fluid" look about it. It always has a sort of motion blur or just slowness to the picture. I don't know how to best describe it, but its perceivable.

Funny thing is that if I take the same footage, let the camera downconvert to 480i, the stuff looks great, but I want to have my HD footage, otherwise I'd just got a SD camera!

Is there any recommendations on how to process the footage so that it comes out on DVD looking right? I'm so frustrated with this and I'm way behind on getting my DVDs out because of it that I'm fixing to just let the camera downconvert so I can get it done. :(

I've tried edting in both the native HDV 1080i60 codec and also the Apple Intermediate 1080i60 codec and I've had the same problems from both.

Do I just need some sort of hardware downcoverter to take my HD footage and properly squish it down?

thanks for letting me vent,
mike

I'm no Mac exspurt but here are a few thoughts.

Basic trouble shooting:

Can you play 1080 H.264 Movies on your computer smoothly? King Kong trailer on apple.com would be a good test. Becasue what you describe is like when I try and play 1080 on my old computer.

No insult intended, but you do know the FCP5 will gives you options that will no work (yet) like HD-DVD?
Well that's what the local real pros tell me.