Going to Hd that is the question.
 

I am currently looking at upgrading to HD. As of now I have not had one customer ask for hd video but I am wanting to move that way. One of the cameras I'm looking at is the HVX200a and one of the reasons being that it has the capability to shoot in sd so I could actually use it with my other cameras. For those of you that are shooting hd do you ever have to convert your footage to sd? if so, how long does it take? Being in my position would you spend the 5k for the hvx200a or settle for something else that only shoots hd? Have considered going with just a hd cam like the sony hdr-fx1000. I really like the specs and the price is considerably lower. Also the Pan AGHMC150 which uses sdhc cards(more affordable) but only shoots in hd. There again the price about the same as the sony. Give me your thoughts?

As far as I know, any HDV camera can also shoot DV. Shooting HDV and downsizing to SD can give you a better image though.

Maybe I didn't word that very well. The HDR-FX1000 isn't an HD only camera. It can also shoot SD (DV), as can any other HDV camera (that I am aware of).

The avchd cameras need real serious computer power to edit, due to the very complex encoding, something to consider if you are making a change. We shoot Canon XHA1's, which can record either HDV or SD or can downsample hdv to sd from the camera if needed. The only avchd cameras I am familiar with shoot 16:9 format only. / Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

didn't realize that the HDR-FX1000 also shot in sd.

If you need another camera, and don't have any customers at all wanting HD (or widescreen SD), I'd suggest getting another SD camera, and wait until you actually need an HD camera to purchase one. Prices are always falling, while newer and better products are being introduced as well. Right now, you can pick up good quality used SD cameras dirt cheap. If you can find one, arguably some of the best bargains in used 3-1/3" chip cameras are JVC-GY-DV300Us. I've seen those sell for insanely low prices, and the quality of the output from the camera is quite comparable to other, more popular (and more expensive), 3-1/3" chip cameras.