hi,
good Hi def start at 2400$,like sony,unless you are looking for a second hand.
if so why don t you check
http://www.videomaker.com/
http://www.videomaker.com/article/13282/

sf

simplo

Thanks for the reply. The HDR-HC7 looks interesting and is well within my budget. I was wondering (and please forgive me if I am asking a stupid question) the sensor on it. Would I be better if I could get a camera with three 1/5-inch CCDs?

From what I have seen at the moment there are two contenders for what I am after. The first is the Sony. The second is the new JVC ( http://www.jvchdeverio.co.uk/).

Both have the same resolution so there are only two main things to consider.

The Sony records on to Mini-DV tapes where as the JVC uses a hard disk (60GB with 5 hours of recording in full resolution).

The JVC has a FUJINON Professional Optical Zoom Lens as well as three 1/5" CCDs. The Sony only has one chip and I would assume a 'bog standard' (all be it very good) lens.

I really don't know what I should be focusing on. Quality is important to me. I would like a camera that is able to handle the wide range of work that I do (from amature films I would like to take further to professional web-based videos).

What are people's thoughts?

Visit me ? http://www.mellorweb.co.uk

then check out sony HDR-UX7. I think its the best so far

Both have draw backs:

JVC - I've had some problems with the HDD. I dislike having to
stop shooting and use the camera to download footage to the
computer. and the compression can be sketchy.

Sony - I don't like the CMOS sensor. In post production the color
separation doesn't seem as "crisp" as 3 CCD's. And the HDV
compression to miniDV tape causes problems with color correction
in post.

Both cameras are fine starter HDV cameras. If you don't do a lot
of post production work then either one is going to just fine -
in fact for web-based videos both are overkill. My personal
choice was the JVC. That's the one I bought after testing several
cameras in that price range. As always, getting a good image has
much more to do with how the camera is used than what camera is used.

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

If you don't have a few thousand to spend, I would seriously consider going with a good quality SD camera. I guess it depends on the scope of your production and your intended output. Consider that most TV shows and film festivals still air and screen in SD. Plus, if you're going to make a movie for the web, you'll never be able to tell what it was shot on. The most important thing is the story. After that, the audio, the shot composition, the actors, etc. etc... having an HD/HDV camera is way down on the list, unless you're shooting a TV show that must be delivered in HD.

Just my two cents. Good luck!

John

'Playing for Peanuts'
http://www.PlayingforPeanuts.com
http://playingforpeanuts.blogspot.com