In run and gun situations- I have shot in full auto mode at +9db and footage still looks great.

Yeah right (-:, you can't shoot that camera with 9db.

The A1 has given me consistently stunning picture quality (thanks to the custom presets library here). I'm still delighted with it. My only regret is buying it about a month before the rebate kicked in, but then again, that's a month I had to practice with it before I needed it. Who can put a value on that? Oh, yeah: $350--the cost of the rebate I missed out on, LOL.

Seriously, buy the A1. There's no better deal in its price range.

I'm thinking about picking up the Canon HV20 as a B-roll/VCR.

You could have done worse and bought it last year for $4K, as I did. But I'm happy--I needed it then and knew the price would drop some after a few months, since that always happens. You buy whatcha need whenya need it.

A1 in hands
 

Well I did it. I got an A1 and its awesome. Great design, very solid construction and (after a few worried moments at the amount of grain in the pic remembered the auto gain is by default on, so once switched off) an amazing HD picture. Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words and thanks to this forum for all the great info. I think this is gonna be a fun camera.

sorry- I meant 12db...(which is even more insane)