Raw 1080i M2T to which HDV codec???

[Steve Nunez]

Hey guys, when using a Firestore HD it captures HDV footage as M2T files. I am using a Canon XH A1 so the native files are in 1080i format. All the M2T files have to be processed by MpegStreamclip and exported in any variety of HDV codecs (and even non-HDV formats) of which I normally export to 1080i60 HDV. My question is, would it be adviseable to export the M2T's as 1080i60 as I normally do or should I be considering the 720p format for it's lower bitrates and less load demands on computer processing which means quicker edits/corrections etc in an NLE? Canon has also stated that although the 3CCD chips on the A1 are interlaced~ when a user selects either the 24F or 30F modes the camera does internal processing somehow achieveing progressive frames just like a native progressive camera- of which I shoot 30F.

I'm building a library of stock footage for my personal projects and need to create a workflow for editing and storing these clips and cant help but feel the 720p solution is a good one......any reasons why my footage should NOT be saved as such? I really hate the interlacing of normal 1080i and although it's not present with footage shot in the 30F mode, FCP doesn't have a sequence preset that matches 30F (they do have 24F.)
It appears the next big thing for HD TV sets is 1080P- would it be better to save my footage as 1080i for better viewing on future 1080P sets or will the 720P setting look near identical in quality/resolution?

Thanks guys.