FCP 5.1 Quality degradation on EXPORT!!

Hi all,
I'm using a Mac Pro 2.66Ghz w/ a 20" Cinema Display. I'm usually working with a Sony PD-170P & Panasonic NV-GS300. Either shooting 16:9 DVCAM or 16:9 DV footage.
When I capture inot FCP, I use the Standard PAL 48khz Anamorphic setting.
Question one can I capture my footage at say DVCPRO 50 PAL or something at a higher rate over standard firewire connection? To improve quality?
I've tried but during capture it seems to have an error.
Secondly and most importantly when I export using Quicktime or Quicktime conversion my final output is extremely bad quality. The picture seems washed out and when viewed an full resolution it seems very pixelated.
I've printed and previewed to tape and the quality is the same. It's only with exporting. I've read that compressor should be used? But I'm not to sure as to what settings.
I made the move from adobe premiere pro 2 to fcp for the obvious reasons. My last project was finished off in after effects 7 pro on a pc and exported as an uncompressed file. The quality of that mind you on my mac is brilliant.
How do I make the picutre and graphics in my fcp exports using standard 16:9 DV better. To be honest it was so much more easier in the primitive Premiere Pro 2.0.
Let me know ASAP,
Kindest Regards,
Joash

can I capture my footage at say DVCPRO 50 PAL or something at a higher rate over standard firewire connection? To improve quality?<<</div>
No. A Firewire transfer is merely a data transfer; 1s and 0s from one storage medium to another. Quality won't be any better than the original.
when I export using Quicktime or Quicktime conversion my final output is extremely bad quality<<</div>
I'd tried to answer your second question but cannot since you didn't state what your export settings were nor the codec chosen. Keep in mind that by default, QT file don't have their quality flag set. You can manually set the quality to high, or use a drop-n-drag program such as HiQual to do it for you. Also keep in mind that anytime you export to a lower format you're going to lose some quality due to compression.
-DH

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