Firstly:

1. If I have a tape that has two different frame rates on it (50i and 25f - both PAL) how can I capture using appropriate settings into FCP? I've been playing around with my Canon XH A1 and wanted to see the different frame rates and some different presets. Will FCP recognise the different rate and do something clever? Will I have to do something manually?

and unrelated:

2. If a friend wants me to do a little video for them and deliver the final piece in Quicktime 640 x 480 for her website, what should I shoot in and what set up should i have for FCP and capturing? I realise this may be a very basic question and although I have made QT movies for youtube before, editing is really just a hobby and I really wanted to do a good job for my mate.

:)

Cheers!

SO... um... yeap....

I have sorted question 1. And I am assuming that the the output format (other than the fact that I should shoot progressive for the internet) is something I deal with in post and doesn't affect the shoot?

Yes chose the output format after you have done the edit. One other handy hint is to produce a master file that you can then down-convert to whatever file you want.

Personally I shoot and edit in HDV 1080i 50i and then produce a pro res master at 1080i 25p which I can then use to down convert in quicktime pro or mpegstreamclip to apple tv or i-pod sized files.

I seem to have shot in 25f HDV and now looking at my options for producing output for a website as a quicktime movie at 640 x 480 seem to be limited to a squished up/stretched look.

Is there another option?

Can I add bars above and below (letterbox) to counteract this?

Thanks in advance for you help!