I originally was going to get the XH-A1, but money is a little short, so I thoguht about going for the DVX-!00B. But I keep seeing reviews that mention that it isn't really true 16:9 and that it's a little screwy. Is this a problem? Should I get this camera?

I've done more research and I see that basically this camera shoots in a fake 16:9 and that for good quality you have to crop in post...which doesn't make it true widescreen. I'm basically trying to decide whether to make the leap to HD or get a good SD camera. I like everything about this camera except the fake 16:9, My other choice is the XH-A1 but it's more expensive and HD...which I think is more complicated. Any advice?

The DVX uses vertical stretching to do 16:9. It results in about 360 lines of vertical resolution in its 16:9 mode. If you're shooting 24p or 30p it delivers about as much vertical resolution as a "true 16:9" interlaced camera would. But if you're comparing it against a "true 16:9" progressive camera, like the XL2, then the XL2 would deliver higher vertical resolution. The XHA1's SD 24F likely provides more vertical resolution than the DVX's 16:9 as well.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you're looking for the absolute highest resolution 16:9 footage you can get, the DVX isn't the right tool for that job. If you're looking to make great-looking footage and you like everything else about the DVX, why be dissuaded by something that you're not even sure of the implications of? Rent some DVX movies that have had theatrical releases, like November or Murderball or Iraq In Fragments, and see what you think of the results.