So I did a bit of research - well read some links from a CodeProject news email that just came in.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/13404...eme-with-wheels

It says the orbiter has a 6Mbps X band link back to here. That's pretty impressive speed for 250M miles. Doesn't say what rate from Curiosity (MSL) to the orbiter (MRO) though via UHF but can also talk directly to home.

The black and white images are simply because these are the guidance cameras. They call them "HazCams" according to the above.

How do I get a job like this?

Oh and I agree the descent video is nothing really to see. Concept is cool but nothing to see here.