What is the absolute best quality output from MPEG Streamclip?

I need to convert my .TOD files (JVC's version of Mpeg)
with MPEG Streamclip and want to do it with
the best quality high definition format I can.
I'm going to edit the clips in Final Cut Pro
and then take that movie into Adobe Premiere
to do color adjustments (Final Cut Pro is
lowering the quality of my clips whenever
I do color adjustment on them - if anyone
knows how to solve that, I'd love to hear -
then I could just finish in Final Cut Pro).

I would really appreciate advice on this.

Thanks so much,
Robert

I'd recommend transcoding your TOD files to ProRes.

Also, I suspect that FCP is not degrading the quality of the clips but is instead degrading the quality of the preview so that it can play back in realtime. This will not affect the quality of the final output. To get a better idea of what it's going to look like, either render your timeline or click on the RT menu in the top left of the timeline and set it to Unlimited RT and Playback Quality to High. Also set your Canvas zoom level to 100%.

My software:
Pro Maintenance Tools - Tools to keep Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro running smoothly and fix problems when they arise
Pro Media Tools - Edit QuickTime chapters and metadata, detect gamma shifts, edit markers, watch renders and more
More tools...

Thanks so much for the advice. Sorry it took so long to get back
to you. I've solved the resolution problem.