Fastest workflow EX1 to SD for FTP

[noalert]

I've searched a lot on various forums but I still can't find the perfect workflow. I'm recording on an Sony EX1 at 1080/50i. At the and, I need to upload a SD file to an FTP server. Because I work and edit in the field (using wifi or even 3G for upload), the output file can't be to big (now I use H.264 MP4). I'm using a Macbook Pro and I have Avid, FCP and Premiere. I prefer to edit with Avid, but I can switch if that would save me a lot of time.

My current workflow: Link to AMA in Avid MC --> EDIT --> video mixdown --> export same as source (creates MOV)--> convert to MP4 H.264 PAL DV 16:9 with Adobe Media Encoder.

For simple edits the encoding/converting process takes longer then the editing itself. I have to process every file 3 times: video mixdown, export, convert to H.264. For example, processing a 3 minute clip takes about 10-15 minutes.

Are there any easier/faster solutions?

[alisterchapman]

Use a different NLE!

Premiere or FCP would be able to encode directly from the timeline to H264 and I think you'll find them much faster.