As far as I know you will need all the colors for broadcast video. If you reduce to 1000s as you suggest it might look correct on computer but will fall apart and band, flash and ? when viewed on ntsc monitor. Your editor should have no problem EDITING because of colors (except speed). The way you say frame skipping makes me think that final cut "prints to video" (or plays completed vid to monitor and video out port). If this is so I hate to say it but you're attempting too much with your graphics/editing combo. The Bryce movie by Susan Kitchens (first movie ever created on desktop) used massive video rated hard disk arrays, top of the line Targe boards and MEM MEM MEM. If youre using something like a ATI Rage pro and single (un dedicated) hard drive you are just plain reaching too high. Besides when going to broadcast video your editing/previewing should have all been done on a NTSC/PAL monitor. Details that are obvious on computer screen have a way of fading out, colors that looked great ( a great red/orange sunset for example) turn to mud, or strobe etc. I admire your fortitude and bravery but I would produce final movie on cd. That way all your work won't go for naught. (besides being duplicatable en masse without quality loss). Render On ...