[James Beattie]

In 2.8.x There was a weird problem when you rendered a dissolve at the end of the sequence. Sometimes the effect would corrupt. But that has been repaired in 3.0

[James Beattie]

I have had this issue in the past. I have 2 suggestions for you.

First, delete the preferences. My favorite tool to manage preferences is:
https://www.digitalrebellion.com/blog/posts/preference_manager_2.0.1_released.html

The next option may simply be to reinstall compressor. It is actually pretty easy, and this link will help.

https://www.digitalrebellion.com/blog/posts/how_to_reinstall_compressor_and_qmaster.html

[James Beattie]

First things first, you need to start doing tests to learn the workflow.

Go to RedRelay.net Get some Red footage for free.

Then go to:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/12556567/Using-RED-Media-with-Final-Cut-Pro-Studio-2

Important questions to ask are whether they are shooting 2k or 4k. You will also need to go to Red’s website to get the utilities.

[James Beattie]

I install on both Mac and PC. I like the Mac for 2 reasons. It is a great computer at an amazing price. Buying the PC version of what a Mac is costs more. And finally the 64bit problem.

Vista 64 bit is a bit of a bumpy ride. Windows XP 64 is even more annoying. 10.5 is 64 bit with little or no issues. The reason this is so important is because of memory access. You can use over 4GB. More than 4GB in Windows XP or 32 bit Vista, and it cannot be accessed.

[James Beattie]

The biggest issue is that leopard changed the way it worked with firewire. Makes all sorts of things that should work, not work.

10.5 is a big jump, even though it seems fairly superficial. Mac changed the underlying way they saved files.

You can upgrade to the new 3.5 from the Avid website directly. It cost a few hundred bucks, but 3.5 if quite a step up.

[James Beattie]

Yes, the DV 25 file would work. But I agree, Automatic Duck will make you life better. Worth the money. Think of how long it will take to export and realize the value.

[James Beattie]

I have had issues with firewire devices sometimes connecting properly. I would try this:

https://tinyurl.com/d63f7r

[James Beattie]

You can make the setting permanent for each project you create. Click on the settings Tab in the project window, and modify your Media Creation settings. Then in the upper left monitor choose Special->Site settings. This opens a floating window. Drag the Media Creation line to the Site settings window, and you will see it populate. Now, you have created a Site setting that will be observed whenever you create a new project. Old projects still need to be manipulated.

–James