the date for total HD conversion has gotten pushed back quite a bit since 2000. I think 2010 is the date at the moment. Stations all over the US are purchasing those fixed lens HDV cameras cause they don't want to have to deal with cameras that are too expnsive for them to afford to break or lose one. Hopefully once everything is converted to HD, the prices on HD gear will drop dramatically and they can use professional quality cameras and use the HDV cameras for the field.