An edited sequence consists of clips that refer to corresponding media files on a hard disk. Whereas exporting a sequence to tape or DVD continues to reference those source files, exporting a movie, still, or audio file creates a new file. You may export files, for example, to grab a single frame from a clip to use as a still image, to mix all your soundtracks to a single audio file, or to render your sequence to a file that can be edited in another application or stored in an archive.

You can export a movie in any of the file types listed in the Export Movie Settings dialog box, including Microsoft DV AVI (Windows only) and QuickTime. You can export a movie in a high-definition format, Uncompressed Microsoft AVI. However, you cannot export a movie file specifically in HDV format.