Next week I have to start editing a music video, and it looks like I'll be doing it at home on my MBP.  The video is going to be shot with a Canon 5D and a HV40 in 1080p30.  I already have a Compressor setting to change all of the 5D footage into DNxHD Quicktimes.  I haven't tested the capturing 1080p30 from the HV40 straight into Avid, but if it doesn't work for some reason I can capture with FCP and run the files through Compressor to make them DNxHD.

Ok, here's the question, does it make any sense to cut offline at 3:1, or should I just set the Video Quality button to Best Performance?   My storage is a eSATA GRAID, and the MBP is less than a year old.  What I'm really looking for is that snappy Avid response time, and an easy way to bring the cut to Online quality when I'm finished (it's a brutal schedule, so I imagine when I'm done I'll want to be DONE, if you know what I mean). 

If I do want to cut offline at 3:1 is it better to make all my Quicktimes at 3:1 and then Batch Import the DNxHD when I finish the cut?  Or, do I bring it all into the Avid, Transcode to 3:1, Cut, and then Reconnect (If so, specfic steps would be appreciated)? 

Also, since my source is HDV and H.264, does 220x make any sense at all, or should I go with 145?  I will be sending it to Color Grading.

Thanks for your responses,

Sam

If you have the drive space, i would take it all in at DNxHD 145 resolution. It is a great Hi resolution and doesn't take up much space.

If you have the space for converting everything to DNX 145, then just cut everything at that res. If your drives are fast enough, the MBP should still handle it admirably.