Rob:
Although a long-time avid user of all sorts of photo/audio gear, I'm no techno expert, but, if I could design my very own camcorder it would:

1) have the finest image gathering capability (optics, CCD) available

2) be free of those frills I never use (titler, special effects, etc)

3) have a prominent "manual" auto-focus button, located where I can find it with my fingers when my eye is hard pressed to the viewfinder (I almost never use full auto-focus . . . because, invariable, there is "stuff" between me and my subject that fools auto focus . . . but I like that "manual" auto-focus thingy, because, properly manipulated, the camera can still focus more quickly and accurately than I could in full manual.

4) ditto three with respect to the iris control . . . put it in a spot conspicuous to my fingers, make its function gradual enough that I can make barely perceptable exposure adjustments (Vegas' ability to adjust exposure after the fact is a help here, but, it's nice to get the exposure right in the raw footage).

5) be capable of the finest in digital audio

6) have inputs for two mono microphones (I have stopped lugging my TEAC reel to reels around to recording gigs . . . and I've yet to lug a computer . . . for my purposes, a good camcorder capable of digital PCM recording works as well if not better)

Of course, I take for granted that a camcorder incorporating the above would also have a competent transport system, and a recording format that would allow for adequate recording times and ease of storage.

I would think that $3,000 will buy you a mighty fine camera, but, probably for a fraction of that, you could own a machine with the above features which, IMHO, is all you need to record footage that, with the power of VegasVideo will allow you to maximize your creativity.

Wish I were in shopping mode, although my equipment presently meets my needs.

I have a Sony CCD-v220 (1988 or 89 vintage) which I paid $1,800 for back then. It has an excellent digital PCM sound module with two RCA mike jacks. To this day, it doubles as an excellent DAT recorder, and I frequently use it to record live performances. Being a standard 8mm machine, its video capability is blown away by even the most inexpensive of today's modern camcorders, so I don't use it to record video anymore. On the other hand, I've impressed my friends and associates by using VV to edit tapes shot years ago using this machine. While not digital, the quality was good (as long as you worked within the limits of standard 8mm and lighting limitations of that day), and converting those old tapes to digital seems to actually improve color saturation and clarity (don't ask me how . . . it just happens).

These days, all my video shooting is done with a simple Sony TRV-103 digi8. This was a $700-$750 machine when I bought it a couple of years ago. The front end is standard consumer fare, so I make certain to get as close as possible to what I'm shooting and focus accurately. The results seem fine. This little camera will also play (and I can capture via firewire) my old analog 8mm tapes . . . a nice feature which negates the necessity for me to dub them onto Digi8 before capturing.

Sorry to ramble on so, and I wish you good luck in your search for a camcorder.

Caruso

I have a Sony TRV730 and I love it. I got a great price, it uses tapes that are readily available, it hooks to my PC nicely, and the video is great.

It only has on CCD and I don't use the still picture capability, but I really like the camera a lot and I'd certainly buy it again.

Tom