Thanks Michael. It all makes sense now, with the time constraint and all - and I think you've answered it yourself. Since time is of the essence I'd go with the less processor hungry codec. Only if there is a significant perceptual difference wed yourself to the slower pipeline. Just my opinion.

Si

You'll be fine in DV50...but have you tried DVCProHD? Just how intense is the FX work going to be? Try some render tests of things you typically do or will do for your film and see what the difference is.

I am a stickler for finishing in the HD realm if at all possible. That said, if time will be effected that much by rendering go with DV50 if that's the quickest to work with.