Frank,
Rent before you. I second the HVX-200.
Don’t cheat your client with a low end HD camera for a so called high end project. If you are doing professional projects, don’t shoot with Consumer cameras.
If you want to go the cheap way, shoot with your DVX-100 and upres your project with Compressor. It’s very time compsuming and the quality is not as good, but from the sounds of it, you’ll save a lot of money.
FYI, PBS will reject your HDV projects for broadcast.
Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Director-At-Large
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group