Compressor and IDVD imports, etc.

Question

Hi Again, just the dumb newbie. But I've been READING the manual(s) and at least the help/manual on Compressor...because I did something that did not seem to work, went back and tried to fix it. A couple of things happened:
I imported a little 15 minute promo I made on Applied Magic Screenplay, via copy from a DVD. I jazzed up the intro and menu and burned an iDVD. Fine. Now I have to change a "tinny" audio portion, and decided to import it into FCP.
BAM went right in...but when I tried to look at it in the timeline, it said (undrendered file) SO...I started to render "all". It said it would take about an HOUR to do this.
SO I read the MANUAL. It says that I was (possibly, I haven't a clue) rendering uncompressed media, and that it KILLS disc space. So I READ THE HELP on compressor. WHich says it transcodes multiple format media files (of all types) for use in FCP. SO I cranked up compressor, added the same file and preset the encoding for MPEG-2DVD. ( Figureing MPEG 4 wold take longer). It took over an hour to transcode this.
SO re-opened FCP, and imported the file. It took several minutes to load it (saw the painted wheel forever), and then when I went to drop it into the timeline...>FCP unexpectedly QUIT.
I re-opened, and of course the file was not there (not saved in FCP)/ HOWEVER, when I went to look at that original iDVD thing I made...a ".mov" file, NOW I can see it and work with it in the timeline?
What did I do wrong here? Or better yet...how the **** did I fix that without rendering it as the program requested? THE MANUAL did say that FCP supports any file created on my computer, So I was shocked about having to render at all.
Any insight to this (for my learning purpose mostly) would be greatly appreciated!!! Cap'n? Input PLEAZZZ.
Thanks again
MW

Answer 1

Thanks for the encouraging words. With that...to continue.
SO...this morning, I strectched, woke up and opened the project and the "Saved all" files I supposedly saved...were not there. The original .mov was.
SO, the manuals (for compressor) do give detailed descriptions of what the different compression titles are used for. And as I was planning on making DVD's that play continuously in our theater, I thought that compress to MPEG2 was best.
SO, I agian went and imported the compressed file into FCP and BANG, quit. Just too much for it to handle? As I am importing this file, I don't understand the purpose of export settings (yet), or why FCP is shutting down when the manuals BRAG that FCP will fluidly with compressor files. I'm just baffled, that's all.
I guess it was "iMovie" that I made the movie in..."iDVD" that I authored the DVD in.
So was I correct in assuming that FCP wants me to render this imovie (.mov) as an uncompressed file? Regarding compressor, There are so many choices, granted, they are well explained in the manual, but I just don't know which one to use in compressor to make this silly 15minute promo DVD.
Again, your patience and knowledge/experience are all greatly appreciated!
Just a bit about me: I bought an Appl ied Mag ic screenplay about 4 years ago because i was starting a business and wanted a video done. After getting prices, I figured I could by cameras, booms, support equipment an expensive hooker AND a stand alone NLE for the price....and did just that (sans hooker).
SO i've been spoiled by a very easy system (applied Mag) but found as I do more with it, that it really is limited as to what I want it can do (like high quaility audio adjustment, better color correction, critical splices/sync, etc.). That's why I bought the G5 and am trying out AXDV and FCP4.5.
I really enjoy editing, feel that for someone who is self taught I've done some pretty fun stuff, and look forward to learning more! Again, you guys are great and I for one am thankful for your help.
MW