I'm in the market for a camcorder

[Arkitech]

Im looking for a camcorder to capture family events, my kid playing, etc.. Anyone have suggestions on a good camera? The only 2 things I'd like to have is a camera that does DV and one that has a hard drive.

 

[FoBoT]

costco has a JVC Everio 30 GB hard drive camcorder
$549.99

Features:

2.2 Megapixel CCD for high-quality digital stills of up to UXGA (1632x1224) image size
7 Hours of High-Quality MPEG-2 Video Recording (Average 8.5Mbps, 720x480/60i in ULTRA mode) with Dolby Digital Audio (MOD file)
Up to 37 Hours of Recording with 30GB Internal Hard Disk Drive
10x Optical Zoom / 300x Digital Zoom
2.7" 16:9 Widescreen Clear LCD Monitor
Stick Control on LCD for easy operation
INDEX/DATA button on LCD for one-touch confirmation of remaining battery time, even when off, and hard disk free space
Auto Flash
Easy Direct DVD allows DVD creation via USB connection without a PC
USB2.0 High-Speed Transfer (up to 12x real time)
3-Dimension Noise Reduction
Megabrid Engine for separate video and photo processing
Icon Event Pre-registration for easy playlist viewing and DVD creation
Hybrid Digital Image Stabilization
Program AE with Special Effects
Power-Linked Operation
High-Value Software for Windows(R) / Macintosh (Data Management, Editing, and DVD Creation)
Data Battery
Multi-Language On-Screen Menu
User-Friendly GUI for Easy Operation and Setting
Thumbnail Picture for Easy & Quick Viewing
Easy Printing with PictBridge and DPOF Support
Weight 0.95lbs
Includes battery, lens cap, remote control and hand strap

 

[LegendKiller]

My wife and I are getting close to buying one also. I see there are three standards now.

1. MiniDV
2. HDD
3. MiniDVD

Which one produces better images, length of recording...etc. I like MiniDVD because it would seem to be a bit more fungable between people, I could burn one for my parents and they could pop it into their player. With HDD once you are done you are done, so that's a downside. MiniDV is unlimited, like MiniDVD, but isn't as fungable.

What brands are better?

I don't care about still pictures either, I have a nice camera for that.

We are looking to spend ~5-600

 

[imported_griffis]

Stay away from the straight to DVD cameras and stick with MiniDV. Also, 3CCD at least for any camcorder!! If you do not know what that means the sales rep will.

 

[Gibson486]

I have a brand new Canon Zr500. If you want to buy it, PM me.

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: griffis
Stay away from the straight to DVD cameras and stick with MiniDV. Also, 3CCD at least for any camcorder!! If you do not know what that means the sales rep will.

What's wrong with them?