Ken Stone has a useful tutorial for outputting quality standard definition video footage from Sony’s XDCAM EX1 using Final Cut Pro. As is noted, there are still many instances where SD footage is still desired (by clients, for example), but the EX1 is strictly an HD affair.

However, with this tutorial, it’s simply a matter of using what FCP gives you to export an SD sequence. Doing it in the proper order will make all the difference. Check it out.