Really Really Lost!!!!!

[Shakemeister]

Ok, I'm new to the forum but I've been reading for a fair while.
You guys obviously know your stuff (senu, redsox mark, rhubarbe, angeleyes - all of you) and I need your help before my wife strangles me for spending FAR more time on this forum than talking to her!!
I don't see what the problem is
Ok straightforward problem and I know it's been asked before but everyone’s priorities are different.
I'm looking for a decent camcorder but one of the things that I struggle with is the plastic feel of all of the models I've looked at. I had a JVC GR-DX107 and although it was far from perfect it was compact and felt solid.
I've got between 300 & 500 quid and I would like a good all-round camcorder.
Doesn't have to be a current model and I would possibly consider second hand.
I think I'd prefer to stay with mini DV format but progress to HD if poss (I haven’t got any HD equipment......yet, but when I do I don't want to upgrade again) can I still play to an SD TV direct from the camcorder or do I have to do something else?

I know you can help (before my wife harms me )

[redsox_mark]

Originally Posted by Shakemeister

I think I'd prefer to stay with mini DV format but progress to HD if poss (I haven’t got any HD equipment......yet, but when I do I don't want to upgrade again) can I still play to an SD TV direct from the camcorder or do I have to do something else?

For this a HDV camcorder is perfect - you can either shoot in DV mode, or you can shoot in HDV mode and have the camcorder convert to DV (SD) on the fly and output to a SD TV.

The problem is the price; the cheapest new HDV cam (Sony HC5) goes for around £600 online.

In terms of "plastic feel" - that's kind of a subjective thing. I have an older Sony HC1 HDV cam, and it does feel more solid to me than the newer HC3/5/7.... maybe you could find a used HC1? (I'm not selling mine though!).

[rhubarbe]

Let's take it back to basics. What do you want to do with the video that you take?

I was looking at HDV onto MiniDV but concluded I didn't want to spend hours and hours editing footage.

I had also had a recent experience of replacing my "too big to carry around" SLR camera with the world's biggest Sony Digicam that, you've guessed, I never carried around with me.

So, determined not to make the same mistake again, I looked at everything that was available and plumped for a Panasonic SDR-S150, that weighs eight ounces and fits in my bumbag. So, I always have it with me. It records onto dirt cheap, indestructible SD cards, spare batteries cost about a fiver, and if you have a Panasonic DVD recorder you can download the mpeg-2 clips onto the HDD. I have mine on a NAS drive and play them with the HTPC. One advantage of their being little individual files is that the clips, when you run one after the other, give the appearance that you are playing an edited tape.

Plasticky feel? I think they all do to an extent. Mine's quite solid-feeling though.

Downside of SD card cameras, and HDD cams? Paranoia. I have a copy of all my clips on my laptop, my NAS, my PC at work, my backup server at work.... whereas, if I had gone HDV tape route I would have just a tape as backup.

I just sold my SDR-S150 on eBay, because I want to go to HD. Now, I have to make all the decisions again and it is only a little easier now.

For my sins I am going with the Sony HDR-CX6 AVCHD that uses memory Stick Duo, and suffer the endless backup copies.