Workflow with final cut and processing power, conversion

[JoeC]

Got my 7d yesterday- My 2.2 ghz macbok pro was choking on the native video files. When I exported to prores HQ through final cut, it played without dropping frames. It took a long time to convert though.

I exported using the quicktime conversion option.

My questions are -
What, if any, quality loss is there in converting to prores - or should I stay in the native h264 for editing?

What is the minimum computer horsepower required to edit and play the native h264 files?

Is 1920x1080 prores 422 HQ the best codec to convert to? How about the non HQ version?

Is quicktime converion through finalcut the most efficient method or is there other software people are using just for conversion?

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 

[Michael Olsen]

I believe Philip Bloom recommends converting to ProRes LT in MPEG Streamclip.

Not entirely sure what that does to your footage, but everything he has posted up has looked rather nice, in my opinion.

 

[Tim Joy]

Also consider compressor to do large batches with a preset droplet. Does it do a better job than others? That's what I'd like to know. I don't think you're losing any quality going to a better/ less compressed codec like Prores.