Advice on purchasing an HD camcorder.

[MrTazPants]

Ok this one is fairly simple.......NOT!!!

I'm interested in buying an HD camcorder but am unsure of the best recording medium to go for and which manufacturer.

I need to take it abroad and have the ability to record for at least 5 full hours and possibly quite a bit more. I've heard mixed reviews about the HDD version of the camcorders due to compression issues and "jaggies" when panning across scenes etc. I'm also worried about the robustness of tape and head but this is me just being over cautious. The ability to record in a variety of lighting situations is a must as i'd like to use it indoors and at night with the possibility of poor avaliable light. I've of course also got the problem upon return of editing the footage and getting it onto some playback medium. I'm not sure I want to go down the Blu-Ray or HD DVD route as there is no clear winner as yet and the kit if still way over-priced.

I can budget up to the £900 mark for the camcorder. I don't know if that will help or cloud the issue.

I've no doubt I will have to modify this post when or indeed if all you kind hearted souls out there add to it.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

[rhubarbe]

I think that the jaggies you refer to are motion trails caused by moving objects that don't suit the AVCHD codec. Proper jaggies (on a TV screen during playback, are caused by poor deinterlacing).

HDV tape certainly gives a better image quality than the AVCHD cams (whether these be card cams or HDD cams), but the downside is that you have to upload to a PC in real time. OTOH, you will have a permanent tape archive.

HDD and card cams are very convenient but it's very complicated picture and if you'd like to present a wish-list then guys on here will be able to help much more.

[MrTazPants]

I've managed to purchase one of those elusive beasts the Canon HV20, many thanks for ur help.

[rhubarbe]

Do let us know how you get on with it. I have an HV10 so I am always keen to hear about people's exploits with an HV20.