What order: edit than convert, or convert than edit?

[CMP1223]

I have some captured DV video that I want to edit in Vegas Video 3 and output to VCD(Mpeg-1 @ 352x480 NTSC). I was wondering if I should convert the DV to Mpeg then edit, or edit then convert. Whould I loose quality if convert first? I ask this b/c I have a slow computer (P3 750mgz) and it seems DV would take longer to render than Mpeg becuase of the more MB/min. Is this true? Will VV3 edit Mpeg-1?

Thanks

Chris

[EricB]

Definitely edit then convert/encode. Whenever you compress, you lose information. DV is very lightly compressed. Use all that good information, edit it, then convert to your final output.

[holistic]

EDIT then ENCODE

Vegas Video should offer a "save project" feature or some thing similar.

So do your editing (don't worry this WILL NOT affect the original) the save the project (save several - eg: edit1 , edit2 ,edit final)

Once done editing simply export /save your finished movie to your desired format. Mpeg1 for VCD.
note: VCD will be 352*240 not the 480 you are doing