HDV 1440 x 1080 on timeline to dvd compliant MPEG-2?

Gents, I need your help, suggestions and advice once more.
About 2 months ago, I belatedly and finally entered the HDV world by purchasing a Canon XH-A1s which all in all I’m very pleased with. Due to time constraints, limited processing resources and the complexity of the project involved, it was only earlier this month that I submitted an HDV program to be aired on local access cable.
Well, it turns out that I was under the false impression that their fairly new server that feeds their broadcast system could handle MPEG-2 files with HDV content! Instead, it’s very picky & not the case. Their head tech guru wrote me an e-mail stating that all they got was a black screen (which is embarrassing to all concerned) and that from now on I either submit a NTSC dvd spec 720 by 480 file or my program is off the air.
My Premier Pro project (only v3.2) concerned (currently on the timeline) is 1440 by 1080 shot in 60i with an FPS of 29.97. So now I’m required to downgrade it to SD & do my best to ensure that quality doesn’t take a tremendous hit. The mission is to take this project direct from the timeline (it’s finalized + fully edited) and make an MPEG-2 dvd spec file. Bottom-line, how is this best achieved & by what process/methodology or workflow?
My twin goals are to:
a)      Preserve the aspect ratio since I take very tight shots, so a crop and resize probably would do more harm than good. What kind of an option is SD 16:9 over 4:3? What are the pros & cons of each? I don’t want to unintentionally crop off part of a body part for example.
b)      To the extent possible, maintain image/footage quality so that it remains watchable. I’m looking for a workflow that will retain quality within reason.
What approach and solution would you take if you were in my shoes?
Am sure others have traveled this route before and would appreciate all input and pointers to mull over and try to apply them not only to this project, but those in the future as well.
Thanks so much.

Tutorial HD to SD w/CS4
http://bellunevideo.com/tutorials/CS4_HD2SD/CS4_HD2SD.html

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