2. Also, can I also burn SD dvds for those who don't have HD tvs and players, from the same project I render in Vegas and prep in DVD Architect for the HD version?
Ok, I answered my own question number 2., by recompressing the video combined with using the fit to disc option. Didn't realize it was so obvious once you find it.
The Pioneer BDR-203 (now the BDR-205) is an excellent unit. Burned plenty of Blu-rays and SD DVDs too using DVD Architect.. Has always been reliable and comes in black if you want. I got mine from Videoguys a year or so ago in an external USB enclosure.