I'm curious about your choice of camera. I'm not knocking the XL2, just curious about why you chose to ignore HDV?
Also, I think you would be wise, in your situation, to attend the videoforum next week at Earl's court. Check out
www.videoforum.co.uk and register yourselves. I guarantee you will be able to answer ALL of your questions there and learn a great deal from the freebie seminars as well.
The similarity in url to this site is a curious happenstance. The two are not directly related.
Other than that, I've bought from creative video and they've been fine. As were H.Prestons.