1) If you’ve not had problems, I’d leave it as HQ. As for 2), my workflow is to export a self-contained QT (current settings) and use that file (it’s HD) in Compressor to make the SD mv2 and ac3 audio files. I usually use the 90 minute best quality preset. Sometimes I turn on Frame Controls (in Compressor’s Inspector) and set the quality settings to Best. This increases the encode time, but often improves the visual quality. Try testing a short portion of the program where the encoder will be stressed (fast motion, long dissolves, etc.) both ways to see if it’s worth the extra time.
John
MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.5 QT7.5.5 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 2 (FCP 6.0.5, Comp 3.0.5, DVDSP 4.2.1, Color 1.0.3)
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN