Sorry for this Q. I think many people asked it .
Of course HDD better, but I don't have too much money. I'm shooting only family events and some vocation time.
I need advice what camcorder better to buy and easy to use. (transfer files to external hard drive playing on DVD or computer compact disk.)
I can spent $400 only.

Thank you

Of course HDD better, but I don't have too much money. I'm shooting only family events and some vocation time.
I need advice what camcorder better to buy and easy to use. (transfer files to external hard drive playing on DVD or computer compact disk.)
I can spent $400 only.

Thank you
Actually, MiniDV is better. Better picture quality and better editing capabilities. And tape is very good for archiving.

There's an excellent Panasonic at costco for under $300 right now. I own a Canon ZR200 (cost about $250 two years ago) and it is a very good SD (Standard Definition) camera. Canon's newer models are still pretty inexpensive.
I recommend Canon, but I've heard good things about Pannys.

I'm waiting for the right price offer to get the Canon HV20 (Hi Def) camera.


Good luck.

I'm a big fan of flash memory cards, but I'd still prefer DV tape over discs. If you don't have an HDTV yet, you soon will - and then you'll want an HD cam. Aiptek even has a little HD camcorder (GO HD) that records on flash memory. It has its limitations, but comes in well under $400. Check out your HD options. VERY nice HD cams can be had for $800. Check out computer requirements, though. HD editing is very demanding.

Once you get your HDTV, SD will be obsolete.

Dave

DV tapes are the best for the video, be it HD or SD.


For the HD:
HDD and miniDVD -based HD cams use AVCHD format which is at the moment inferior to HDV format that miniDV HD-based cams use.

As I see it, here are the advantages of memory cards.

Can be read by any card reader (should the camera bite the dust).
Even the best tape can have bad spots or get wrinkled.
No moving parts.
No chance of inadvertantly recording over something.
Very compact
File transfer to computer much faster than real time tape capture. (and less problematic)

I know, AVCHD tough to edit yet, but things are getting better, and card prices are dropping FAST!

Dave

Dave - I agree that memory cards are the future. Unfortunately, they're not there yet, especially if you want to record in HD. I began my search assuming I would get HDD. But after lots of reading, I went with the HV20. If you're planning to get a camera a couple years in the future, HDD (and possibly even memory cards) might be worth considering then. For the time being, miniDV is the best game in town.