Shot in HD, want to edit in SD, then reconform in HD

[Spaceford]

I know this workflow is going to sound absolutely appalling to most, and I don't even know if it's possible, but...

I've shot some stuff on my Canon 550D in 1080 24p. Trouble is, I just don't have a new or fast enough computer to handle the files.

I want to get on and start editing, and I could do this with my FCP 5 or Avid Xpress Pro if the files were SD. I'm old enough to remember editing tape in offline and then reconforming an EDL for online quality. Is the same sort of thing possible with files?

So my question... could I convert the h264 originals to something like Prores, then compress those files to SD, then do the edit and then replace the SD files in the timeline on another computer that can handle the HD stuff?

I know I'll be told to just bite the bullet and upgrade my system, but that aint going to happen too soon!

 

[Barry_Green]

Convert the files to DVCPRO-HD, and your Apple system should nearly certainly be able to handle them in HD.

 

[Spaceford]

Thanks for the tip,

What is the benefit here? Is it a much smaller file size? Will I lose quality in the end?

 

[Timbit]

I'm interested to know as well, as I'm looking at getting a 60D when they come out, but only have a P4 1.8GHz with 1.5 GB RAM, and can't buy both a camera and a new computer.