Compress from FCP or file?

Question

I am creating over 80 video files of songs for DVD's. To speed the production flow, I'd like to finish a batch of edits and then batch convert in Compressor.
1. Will I have better quality DVD videos if I convert each file directly from FCP when I finish the edit, than if I create a finished QT video, then batch convert?
2. If I were to create finished edited video files for batch conversion, what's the best file format to use when creating finished video files from FCP for DVD output?
TIA
DP800 G4/PB 15"/Intel iMac Dual Core 20"   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

Answer 1

1. Will I have better quality DVD videos if I convert
each file directly from FCP when I finish the edit,
than if I create a finished QT video, then batch
convert?
Either should give you a comparable output. The advantage of "Send to Compressor" is that FCP stays open and Real Time effects will not have to be rendered, which speeds up the entire workflow.
If, OTOH, you create reference files, FCP needs to render out the RT effects.
Some FCP installs are very stable and can do the "Send to Compressor" workflow very reliably. Others, not so much. The only way to know is to try.
2. If I were to create finished edited video files
for batch conversion, what's the best file format to
use when creating finished video files from FCP for
DVD output?
Use the settings of your sequence. Don't have FCP recompress to some other setting, which could result in taking a quality hit. I prefer batching out sequences as reference movies. Others prefer self-contained movies. Then take those into Compressor and create MPEG-2s and AC-3 audio files.
HTH
- pi
Dual 2.5   Mac OS X (10.4.6)