DVD Camcorders

[nismodrifter]

I am looking to buy a video camera (or maybe DVD) but I am stuck over whether I should get a Sony Mini DV camera or one of these new Hitachi DVD cameras. I have no idea about how good Hitachi quality is. I am thinking that these new cameras would have bugs etc.. in them since they are brand new products. Obviously I want whats latest, but usually the first models don't perform as well as a model that is made a few months later would.

Should I wait longer and get DVD camera with a better design or just get a Sony Mini DV camera???

I am looking to spend around $1000-$1500.

[rage2]

DVD Camcorder Pros and Cons

(+) No transfer to PC before mastering
(+) DVD ready immediately
(+) No need to buy DVD-R drive
(-) Lower quality than most MiniDV camcorders
(-) No/very little editing features
(-) Clunky user interface
(-) Wont work in-car due to hard vibrations

MiniDV Pros and Cons

(+) Higher Image Quality
(+) Price
(+) Awesome In car camera with image stabilizers (most MiniDV has 'em)
(+) Lots of support (editing software, etc)
(-) Must transfter to PC, edit and master as MPEG2 before burning to DVD-R
(-) Need DVD-R drive

If you're interested in a Sony MiniDV, see this thread, fits your price range. I use the Sony PC9 myself =).