So I need a camcorder.

Things I am looking for:

Smallish (not a pro model that I have to lug around on my shoulder). Easy to use.
I do not really plan to edit the files that much. I want to be able to just pop out the DVD (leaning dvd) and put it in a player (I have a HD-DVD and Blueray player LG BH200 )

Do I need AVCHD, are they any good yet? I am totally new to the whole camcorder arena and don't even have one yet. This is my first and I want my 9 yr old neice to be able to shoot my wedding with it just walking around. So I need a decent amount of shooting time on this thing.

I am ok with spending up to $1200 or so. IF there is something that is OUTSTANDING and it costs a little more I am probably ok with that too.

Any thoughts? Anything I missed? Like I said I don't know much about them and all the formats are pretty confusing.

Thanks people

Ryan

You'll have to do some reading of the other posts to get all the details and opinions, as all the things you've asked have been answered a few times -- it just takes time to find it all.

To start you in the right direction, you'll almost certainly be looking at either Sony SR11 or Canon HF10 in your price range. This post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13787418#post13787418) quickly summarizes the advantages of each of those cameras in a fairly objective manner, so it'll be up to you on which features you prefer. You couldn't go wrong with either model for what you're looking for.

If you player has an SDHC card slot, I suggest looking at card-based cameras, not at DVD-based ones.

I have commented on this before. My Panasonic HDC-SD5 (AVCHD) records to SD cards, and the camera came bundled with a DVD burner (full-size discs) which connects to the camera or a computer.

Without owning a computer you can do some cuts-only editing and burn a high def DVD which can play through the camera's HDMI or component out, or pop it into your BR player. The included software adds some more flexibility. By sticking with the included software, you can do some simple editing, and create a disc that can be played on a BR player (with simple menus even) or by using the bundled player through the camera. You can copy your edited stuff back to a camera card and play through the camera if you wish.

This makes for very simple editing, and provides a way of playing back in HD. If you venture outside the included software you open a whole new can of worms.

I'm sure Sony makes a similar package, but I have the Pany and I know about it. And I don't have to buy the more expensive memory sticks. I think this package is ideal for the home videomaker wanting simple edits just to clean up things a bit.

Good luck!
Dave

EDIT: One more thought: After spending big bucks to repair an HDV camcorder just to recover existing tapes, I have become a BIG fan of flash cards. They don't rely on the camera's health to recover existing video - and NO moving parts. I wouldn't even consider a hard drive camcorder, there's just too much at risk - oh - and don't use it above 10,000 feet - there goes your hard drive.

I'm sure Sony makes a similar package...

If the goal is not dealing with a computer, Sony's got the VRD-MC5 (sold separately), which let's you take many kinds of video/photo capture devices (DV, flash media, SVid and USB for Sony non-tape based camcorders) and burn to a normal DVR+/-R in SD Video-DVD format or AVCHD format (can play in many bluray players).

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665185948

It's available in many stores around $180.