What does it do exactly? Does it re-record over your footage with SD? Or does it just export to computer SD from the HD footage?

My situation. I filmed in HD and want to extract a few clips for testing. I do not have the ability to edit HD yet. I can only edit SD. Is this how I would go about it? I don't want to destroy my HD footage so I can use it later as HD.

Downconvert simply transmits an SD signal through the FireWire from the HD source. No harm done to your original footage.

Where in the manual is how to use this? Is it as simple as turning the function on?

Yes, basically. It will depend of the camera of course but it should be that simple.

Philippe

In VCR Mode go to Menu - Signal Setup- HD DOWN-CONW. To change only without Firewire Cable. If set on ON - you can capture all as SD.

"To change only without Firewire Cable"

I was a little confused by that line. You can only change it before plugging in the firewire?

That's right. You need to disconnect the FireWire cable before making this and other menu changes.

That's right. You need to disconnect the FireWire cable before making this and other menu changes.

How does the overall quality of such downconverted HD compare to material captured from a quality SD source to begin with?

Uh... ok, that's a weird question, isn't it. It's just that I don't recall seeing any comparative reviews of downconverted HD from the various HD cams.

I'm currently editing a job in Vegas 8 pro which I recorded in HD on an A1. It was downconverted in-camera as described. The quality is better than I can get from my Sony TRV 900. Now, that's saying something!

NER

How does the overall quality of such downconverted HD compare to material captured from a quality SD source to begin with?

Uh... ok, that's a weird question, isn't it. It's just that I don't recall seeing any comparative reviews of downconverted HD from the various HD cams.
I'd say that XH-A1 footage down-converted in camera is almost, but not quite, as good as native DV shot on my old XM1. However, part of the loss of resolution that I've seen is because I've watched it played back letter-boxed on a (pretty good) 4:3 telly, so it's been squashed further to fit the screen. I expect that if you play it back on a true 16:9 SD screen you will find it very hard to spot the difference from an XM1, XL2, PD170 etc. There have been other comments around here that programmes edited in HDV then down-converted in software can look better than DV-sourced material. Of course, it depends on the quality of your software, too. I have just got a new PC capable of editing native HDV (using Avid Liquid) so I intend to try a few experiments.

...I expect that if you play it back on a true 16:9 SD screen you will find it very hard to spot the difference from an XM1, XL2, PD170 etc.

Ok, great. Yet another factor pushing me closer to jumping on the HD bandwagon. Thanks, Mark (and Neal).