Hi! I am doing a rough edit 60 GB MXF files (approx 2.5 hours of recording) to simply cut out certain parts that need to be permanently deleted from the original. I want to export them in the same quality as the original recording. If I export the file as Source - Apple ProRes 422 the file will be 156 GB which isn't manageable. Can anyone tell me the best way to export the files so that original quality of the recording is maintained but the files aren't so big? Thank you!

Hi - As I understand it, if you want to be able to continue to edit the file and maintain full quality then ProRes is the best option, but for a final export a more compressed format [something like H.264 or the like?] will produce smaller file sizes with good quality. I've attached a FCP course [More Info, above] -- the last couple of videos discuss exporting.. https://www.macprovideo.com/video/final-cut-pro-101-absolute-beginners-guide/24-24-final-exports?afid=E470KLQ7r9 and here's a link to another FCP course specifically on Finishing & Exporting.. https://www.macprovideo.com/course/coretraining-final-cut-pro-x-108-finishing-up-your-project?afid=E470KLQ7r9 Maybe there'll be something helpful in one of those. I'm an audio guy myself so I can't offer specific advice, but here's another link to an article that discusses quality considerations of exporting as H.264.. https://macprovideo.com/article/final-cut/final-cut-pro-x-better-h264-exports

There is always a balance between small file size and image quality, you will always sacrifice one or the other. H.264 is your best option, great visual quality, small file size. Stay away from ProRes, huge file sizes, not going to give you any extra benefit if you're concerned about file size.