On 11 Mar 2003 18:00:55 -0800, monkey_monkey_camera_boy@go.com (Monkey Monkey) wrote:

>As an "Old Hand" at using newsgroups to gather

>information, I should be used to the idea that

>the posts tend to stray from the topic due to

>folks responding to the previous post and not

>to the original subject of the thread.

>

>However...it's still frustrating when you're

>the one who needs the information.

>

>FOR THE RECORD:

>

>I am an event video shooter.

>I already own a Sony VX2000 & a Panasonic 3-chip.

>

>But, I don't know anything about the newly offered

>inexpensive "low end" 1 CCD mini-DV camcorders.

>We just want to know what is the best that can be

>achieved within the given price limitations.

>

>The advice being sought is for my video clueless

>brother in-law, who cannot spend even $1000 on a

>camcorder, but says he mostly wants to take video

>of his kids in the evening when he gets home from

>work ( night, under fairly dim incandescent lights).

Ah, then see my post in this thread of 3/6/03 - some

in the group I recommended should be well under $1000

new from the better online discounters when they arrive

on the market (or look for bargains now, as the current

models recommended are being replaced...). Or, here is

a "reprint" of my response in that post...:

"Sony technology with CCDs appears to be somewhat

better... The "HAD" chips have greater sensitivity,

and the recent megapixel CCDs (some of which is used

for stabilization) appear to have better than

average color, and finer than average "gain-grain".

Look at a TRV740, TRV25, TRV27, PC101 (or new TRV33,

TRV38, or TRV39) with these chips - the image in

"room light" might surprise you with these, and most

(or all at a good discounter) should be under $1000..."

None of these, though, in common with all other

Mini-DV 1-chippers, is superb in low light conditions,

but their picture quality under the conditions they

will operate in is above average. Adding a bit more

light will help...

What else do you want??? ;-)