Can you recommend a new camcorder for me to buy?

[A4000_Mad]

Hi Guys,



My Sony DCR-TRV320E camcorder which uses Digital8 tapes is getting a bit ancient now.

I know nothing about the modern ones that record to mini DVD-R's and RW's etc. I would  like to be able to play the recorded footage into my laptop and Sony HXD-860 HDD/DVD Recorder through their firewire ports, and also to be able to take photos to a memory card if possible.

One that could be used as a good telescope with 50x or greater optical zoom would be great as well :-)

I normally like Sony products but would consider other makes too.

Can you recommend a new camcorder for about £300? (Don't wanna go too mad :-D)

Thanks

[persia]

Most of today's camera's take video better than the old tape camcorders did.  If I were to buy a video camera I'd go with something that has a hard drive, like the DCR-SR100, then you can just transfer the video to your computer and do with it what you want.

[A4000_Mad]

Thanks for the HDD suggestion persia,

Can you finalize a mini DVD-RW with a modern camcorder and play it in a normal DVD player, then unfinalize it with the camcorder so as to be able to add more recordings to the disc?

My current Digital8 tapes hold 1 hour and 32 minutes of recordings when the setting is LP (Long Play).  What is the recording time of a mini DVD-R/RW?

Do the new camcorders have A/V out and DV in?

[bloodline]

Go for HDD over DVD based ones... removable media has so many issues it is really not worth it.

[A4000_Mad]

Thanks bloodline,

Looks like I would have to spend a bit more cash than planned :-D