Is working in HDV that difficult? I've got a Dual 2.3 G5 PCI-e machine. Can I just work in HDV throughout with no problems? Or would I be better of converting with a Kona or Decklink at capture?

How much generational loss would there be if I converted the HDV to DVCPRO HD with a Kona or decklink card? Is it a serious amount?

Is adding a capture card a good idea? Will it make a dramatic performance difference when editing, playing back etc?

Kona or Decklink? There is a $600 difference, yet they seem to do the same things? Any preference?

Moved from Canon XH to NLE - Mac.

Your asking a bunch of questions that unfortunately don't have quick, easy answers.

I'll address one, which is all I have time for tonight:

HDV is a Long-GOP (group of pictures) codec, which does take significant CPU and RAM power to edit. There are detailed explanations of what Long-GOP means and it's implications on edit time and computer resources but it's one of the main reasons why Convergent Design created their converter box to convert HDV into an "i-frame" codec.

DVCPRO on the other hand is an "i-frame" type of codec and requires much less horsepower and takes far less time to render any filter or sequence change than HDV.

The short version to the answer you seek is: If you have the ability to cross-convert your original footage either via a KONA card, Convergent box or other, you should.

Yep, HDV is a resource hog. I use the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) for this reason. Final renders from HDV footage can take an age. AIC or DVCPro HD is a lot faster when rendering and they also allow many more real time effects to be previewed.

Drew