This is ridiculous.

There are standard def cameras that cost a fortune, too.
But that level of hardware and glass is not needed for these shows.

They could shoot TAR & Survivor just fine on $20,000 HD camera's,
and use $5,000 HD cams cameras for the times when real light weight
and small size are needed. The small cams would be just fine in the
cars, other transports, running through streets and in activities.
Save the big cams for the set shots of the locales and finish lines.

AT THE VERY LEAST, they should begin shooting TAR in 16"9 widescreen,
even if still in standard def. They can letterbox on 4:3 tv's.

BUT THE BEST REASON to shoot HiDef is that it would be an attractive
feature for people to watch the show who have not been watching before.
Once people buy HDTV's they start looking for HD programming, because
everything else sux in comparison. (Right now I have the PBS series
"Carrier" on a 19" HDTV next to me. I'd rather watch it on that set than
on the big 36" standard def tv in the living room). And next fall as the
remaining time for obsolete tv's is winding down more and more people
will be buying HDTV's. TAR could be out in front of the other reality
shows when those people start searching for programming worthy of their
purchase.