Camcorders?

[captexas]

Ok, I know there are are lot of technophiles out there so I'm asking for input. I want to buy a camcorder to start recording my 3 year old and our adventures and of course I'm lost with all the different formats they have these days. I'm not looking to spend a fortune here, maybe up to $500 max. I don't know which is better, the miniDV (tape), DVD, or hard drive models.

I have read that while the DVD models offer more ease of viewing via DVD player or computer, it only records for up to an hour which seems to be a pretty limiting factor. I assume the miniDV models can only be played back through the camcorder which would seem to wear it out faster? But from reading on Best Buy's site it seems some can connect via USB to a computer to transfer video to the computer or DVD burner. Is that correct? I'm nervous about a hard drive models as hard drives can get bumped and damaged easier than if recording on other media.

Besides format I also have to find out what brands are better than others.

Anyone have any input or experiences that would help me make up my mind? Thanks in advance!

[erick]

I have a minidv camcorder, Sony in fact. Its great, and inexpensive. Yes you can connect via a USB cable/or firewire to a computer and burn DVD's, but its not as simple as plug and play unless you have a Sony camcorder and a Sony VIAO, which come preprogrammed to interact w/ea other and it is VERY simple to burn DVD's. Unfortunately, I do not have a Sony computer so I have to make do with my pc. That said, I am running Windows XP Media edition, which simplifies some of the process, but it definately is not plug and play. Video quality is EXCELLENT! Now with the outcome of new video technology, Blue Ray, etc... I expect prices to drop dramatically on older versions such as minidv, and DVD camcorders. Hope this helps...

[captexas]

No one else around here has experiences with camcorders?

[captexas]

bump

[brewercm]

If I was buying I'd buy one of the new ones with the hard drives in them. No more tapes, mini DVDs etc. I bought the mini DVD camcorder and it does OK for stuff but I was hoping the price of the mini DVD-Rs would go down in price but they really haven't. My other option is use the DVD-Ram then move it to my computer and to a regular DVD or find a DVD player that accepts DVD-RAM. I only have one of those and it's upstairs in my bedroom.

Do a google on camcorder reviews and you should find a bunch also.

[captexas]

Yeah, I've searched some online for reviews, but it's gotten hard to tell the real reviews from the paid/advertisement reviews.

[sareef]

I also have a mini DV Sony and regret buying it. The problem I have is it's a pain to edit and burn the video to DVD (And time consuming). Your best bet is to buy the straight to DVD camcorder and if you want to edit and burn to another DVD you can. If not you already have your home movie in the correct format. I have actually been looking to buy a new one receintly to replace the mini DV.
Hope this helps your decision.
Will