Hello. I am new to filmmaking and digital camcorders, but I want to buy a camcorder and willing to a max of $3000 or so for semi-professional moviemaking. I have a bunch of general newbie type of questions that I can hope someone can answer for me. I am illiterate when it comes to new camcorders, but I really want to make an awesome movie and make it seem highly professional. My last camera was from 1996, an average regular Sony camcorder that had High8 format, but it broke down. Here are my questions:

1. Everyone tells me to go with MiniDV format being the best for filmmaking. What is MiniDV like compared to the Digital8 of Sony's or any other format?

2. Is the VX2100 out yet in stores yet? Or can you only get the VX2000?

3. What is the best program to use for editing movies on the PC? Some people say Adobe Premiere, but I'm not sure.

4. I am thinking my movie will be somewhere around 1hr to 1hr30 mins. Do you think 50GB is enough for a high-quality 1hr30min or maybe more so for storage on the comp?

5. I've also heard someone telling me to get camcorders that have the FireWire IEEE 1394 and XLR ports. But, doesn't all the camcorders come with them? I know the IEEE 1394 is used for data transfering via the camcorder to the computer, but is XLR used for audio microphones? A friend of mine told me to get a XLR shotgun type of microphone because the internal microphones can pickup and record the humming of the camcorder itself. How does one of these microphones work? Do they just plug into the camcorder itself, and move along with the camcorder when you shoot?

6. I have done some research and found what I wanted and narrowed it down to three cameras. I am only using Sony and Canon because they seem like the best brands to me. The three cameras include the Canon GL2, Sony DCR-VX2000/2100, & Sony DCR-TRV950. I will probably get either GL2 or the DCR-VX2000 because they seem to be more higher-end and better features (I think) than the DCR-TRV950. My question is, which one is better for a high quality movie making? Probably in terms of the image and overall quality, features, performance in lowlights, etc, and newbie-user friendly perhaps. I don't care much for still-image or anything non-film based.

7. If I want to make my movie in widescreen, is it best to use the widescreen option available by the camcorders? Or film everything in regular ratio, then edit it with widescreen option on the computer? (Would it be best to use the widescreen option thats already on the camcorder so you can maintain the aspect ratio and don't have to crop the top and bottom part off? Or does an editing program like Adobe Premiere can also morph the ratios so you don't lose any of the filming)

8. Last question, are there UV guards for these higher-end cameras? Like my old Sony one, you could buy a small UV guard filter lense so to protect the camera lense itself so it doesn't damage it or something. I am just wondering if there are these "important" accessories that I should definately get to ensure the protection of the camcorder.

I just don't know what to get and if you can all help me by sharing your comparisons/experiences. (Sorry for the length of my questions).