I'm in the final stages of editing a documentary that was shot on miniDV with an XL-1 and edited on FinalCut Pro

My producer has money set aside for an on-line edit. However, from what I understand there isn't a reason to do an on-line edit when the original source is DV. Since I'm working with the footage in it's natural state the on-line process can't add any more quality and there is no way to make it less compressed than it already is.

Also, the project is spread out over more than 40 tapes and there are several other sources as well. I am worried that it won't be put back together exactly as it is now.

I suggested having someone do frame by frame color correction instead. This would make sure all the levels are correct and make sure everything matches from shot to shot.

I'm interested to hear what the experts on this board think

Well, I don't know if I qualify as an "expert" but, for what it's worth, I totally agree with your assement and recommendation (though frame-by-frame color correction may be a bit overkill. ;) ).

Good luck!

As long as you haven't done any dissolves, effects, or other transitions, you are working with unadulterated DV. Any of those things and your footage has been altered and recompressed, and that can result in artifacts.

Eric,
If your project has just cuts and dissolves, I'd finish the edit (without color correction or final audio mix) in your FCP.
Use the "on-line" money to output to Digibeta and let a pro colorist do the CC...likewise with the audio mix.
Good colorists and mixers are worth their weight in gold!
Just my .02
Ken