Point to make about recording HDV onto tape as opposed to AVCHD is that the data rate for the tape-based HDV system is circa 100Mbits/ps as opposed to the highly compressed AVCHD which is capped at 18Mbits/ps – so despite seeming to be a backwards step in tech terms, it's a big step up in quality terms.

Video capture using good quality Solid State cameras like the Panasonic P2HD is a huge step up in both kit and running costs. But there is also the matter of convenience – if your camera's digital storage fills up when you're on the road, you're stuffed, but tapes are simple to replace and easy to find.

However, "transitioning" is not a real word, and you should pay some kind of penance for using it in an otherwise splendid article.