First time editing a project with HD, and then burning it to Blu-ray

Question

Hey there everyone.
*Newbie to HD editing alert.
I have two problems regarding HD editing/export.
I've been scouring the forums for several days, and I can't find a specific answer to what I need/want to know. Some things are understandable to a degree, and then there are things that seem way over my head.
(One thing, I've read about third-party programs like Cineform, and such, and was told that those programs aren't really necessary. So, if there's some way to stay away from them, I'd like your suggestions on that. However, if in the end, that's the way I need to go for this to work, then I guess I will have to go that route).
This is my first attempt at capturing and editing in HDV, so please excuse my ignorance if I refer to something in the wrong context.
My main goal:
To edit an HD wedding, shot with Sony FX-1 HD camera, and burn it to a Blu-ray disk.
Here is the computer system that I'm working with:
Dell Precision M6300; Intel Core 2 Duo T7700; 2.40 GHz 800Mhz; 4MB L2 Cache; Dual Core
Operating System: Windows XP PRO SP3;
- 4.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM Dell Precision M4300
- NVIDIA QUADRO FX1600M 512MB TurboCache (256 dedicated) Dell Precision M6300
- Hard Drive: 200GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive 9.5MM, 7200RPM, Dell Mobile Precision MX300 Factory Install
- 8X DVD+/-RW, Data Only, Dell Precision M6300
- NTFS file system
I have been editing with Premiere Pro CS3 for the past year now.
I used a Sony FX-1 when capturing my footage.
I believe that I captured all the footage in HDV ok. (I made a new project and used the Load Preset of "HDV 1080i30(60i)"; and then captured all the footage thru CS3)
My clip properties (when highlighted in the Project Panel) say that the clip is: an mpeg; and 1440x1080 (1.333).
1. My first problem: I captured 4 clips (Clips 1-3 are 1 hour each; and Clip 4 is 16 mins long). When I place Clip 1 into the timeline . . . the only way I can describe how the audio plays in this clip is . . . the audio looks like it's looping the same 5 to 6 minutes of audio throughout the whole 1 hour clip. (ie: the video is one, long, flowing 1 hour of continuous video; but the audio connected to this same clip, seems to be playing the first 5 mins of the clip, and then repeats it at the 6th minute). You can 'visually' see this problem when you view the audio waveform in the timeline.
The other three clips have no problem with audio at all.
2. My second question is a bit more lengthy:
I wanted to run a test of burning a Blu-Ray of this project's raw footage, to see how the workflow would go after I've edited the wedding.
When I go to Export my timeline to Encore, on the Encoding Settings area, it seems to only let me use the Preset of NTSC Widescreen, with a 720x480 video. I don't see anywhere where it mentions that this project will be HD (which I thought would keep my 1440x1080 dimensions on export).
The Format and Range areas are greyed out; and I can only choose a few things off the Preset dropdown.
Am I missing a step? Or is this what will be exported, but once in Encore, it will be able to burn correctly on Blu-ray?
Again, please excuse my naivety in understanding and/or mis-speaking my problem.
Also on the Export Settings window, on the Output tab - should I check off 'Deinterlace' also? I've read and read about Interlace and Deinterlace, and I am confused as to "what to use when".
So my specific questions are:
1. Regarding the 'repetetive audio loop' on one of my clips - what could the problem be there?
Will it export OK? Or should I just recapture that one clip again?
2A. Do I Export to Encore directly, when I'm done with my timeline and want to go to burn the Blu-ray disk? Or do I need to make my timeline into 'one fluid file'?
2B. If I'm supposed to make a file of the timeline:
Am I supposed to be Exporting to Movie instead?
(When I tried that, my settings under 'Video' showed up as a greyed out area for Frame Size, locked at 720x480 wi

Answer 1

Continuation:
2B. If I'm supposed to make a file of the timeline:
Am I supposed to be Exporting to Movie instead?
(When I tried that, my settings under 'Video' showed up as a greyed out area for Frame Size, locked at 720x480 with a ratio at 4.3. I changed the Pixel Aspect Ratio to "D1/DV NTSC Widescreen 16:9 (1.2)" and the ratio that shows beside the greyed out Frame Rate area does change to 16:9. But the size is still locked at 720x480.
Shouldn't I be seeing 1440x1080 SOMEwhere along the export line? Or at least some sort of ratio that would pertain to HD?
2C. Am I supposed to be Exporting to Adobe Media Encoder?
And if so, should I be choosing:
H.264;
HDTV 1080p 29.97 High Quality;
Output tab having 'Deinterlace' checked;
using VBR, 2 Pass;
leaving Target Bitrate default of 32;
and Maximum Bitrate default of 40?;
and should I be setting the 'Key Frame Distance' at 30 also?
2D. When exporting, should I always Deinterlace footage?
(I've read so much about Deinterlace and Interlace that I'm lost about the 'when to use either' aspect)
3. If I absolutely have to use a third-party program like Cineform, at what point do you use that program? Is this used at the time that you capture the footage, and then import those files into PPCS3? Or is this a program that you use to Export your project when you're done with your editing?
(I read all the information that Dan Isaacs posted about the "Premiere Pro HDV workflow Guide", but that was entirely too confusing to me right now, as a newbie to HDV, etc. I was going to attempt that way, but I ended up doing this post first).
In my meandering throughout the CS3 forum regarding SD, HD, HDV, etc etc, I have picked up alot of information regarding certain problems and situations. I may have all the info in my head, and I'm just applying it wrong; or, I'm missing something in the mix? I'm not sure what it is, but I seem to be having quite a problem doing what seems to be something that should be 'easy'.
I find this forum extremely helpful and understanding, so I'm looking to you all for help. I would appreciate any and all comments and suggestions!
Thanks so much!