I have a budget of £500 to buy a new camcorder to replace my old panasonic MiniDV, but I am confused as to what type to go for.

From my brief search, it appears that for best quality, MiniDV is still the best, as DVD or HDD compress the files, where as MiniDV does not (Though when burning to DVD the data is compressed).

Can anyone advise if I would be better of with which type and the pros & cons?

[senu]

This is such an often repeated query I might make an FAQ of it

Redsox_Mark has not long ago done a very comprehensive Pro/con post of the formats which he might be able to find

I suggest you get a cup of your favourite brew and have a look at the threads below before someone come along unless you then have a specific query

The first would be: What about your current MiniDV did you not like? How much editing will you be doing?
Although MiniDV footage becomes Mpeg for DVD It is much higher quality before that and by choosing your software and encoding properly you get more control over how it turns out
Also you do pay more for the "newer " HDD" technology so pound for pound The MiniDV is Still better VFM as long as you are not comparing a very good HDD model with a mediocre miniDV one;
MiniDV tape vs HDD is not VHS vs DVD although it seems the manufacturers are making less tape models for SD this is probably driven by demand and not a indictment of tape. For high Def HDV (tape) and HDD models are still being released side by side although Panasonic seems to be embracing Flash media over tape
Tape still remains the Semi Pro / Pro choice , ...for now
Im not so much as asking you to get tape but to remind you that it isnt dead yet .. If you did want to go for HDD get a model whose IQ would not be disappointing.. DVD camcorders are( I think ) really just about convenience .. just pop it into the player after recording ....

Mini DV, DVD or HDD camcorder?
MiniDV or DVD
Need help picking out a new camcorder
Needing advice on buying a camcorder
what is the best format for picture quality?

[rickyt]

Here's a snippet of information I found a while back and thought it was interesting ,although it only covers Tape & DVD .

The FACTS:
MiniDV
* Records on MiniDV tapes
* Max 60 minutes recording time ;longer on a LP [long play ] setting ,typically 80-100 minutes
* 25 Mbps maximum recording rate [effects how much image quality can be recorded per second]
* Every recorded image is a "real" one ; you can select and print each frame
* Tape contents can be transferred to DVD ,but only at the speed of playback
* Creating DVD menus requires computer software
* Searching is not as easy [fast forwarding & rewinding the tape]

DVD
* Records on 8cm DVD's
* Max of 30 minutes recording time [1.4GB] [although double sided DVD's have now been introduced]
* 9 Mbps maximum recording rate [a fraction of the information that is recorded with MiniDV
* MPEG2 encoding ,meaning that only every 15th image is a real one
* DVD's can be taken out of the camcorder and played back immediately
* Camcorder creates DVD menus [easier to use]
* Searching for specific clips is much faster & easier.

[redsox_mark]

Here is the post I did which Senu was referring to
What camcorder media??