On Wed, 27 Feb 2002 17:20:50 +1100, Support Staff wrote:

>I have a Canon A1 Hi8 which I am really starting to lose
>interest in using it as a 'portable' camera due to its size
>and bulkiness and the small eye viewer. I also would like the
>download to hard disk and eventual CD and DVD burning a little
>easier.
>
>I understand that a 3CCD camera would be the better camera,
>but here in Australia they are quite expensive - upwards of .
>$3800. Maybe some of you might be kind enough to suggest
>something that will cost less in the 1 CCD range.
>
>This is what I want it for..
>
>1. Typically tourist stuff
>2. We have a band and want to take some stage and interview
>video for a DVD or VCD burn so as good a quality as poss under
>spotlight stage conditions. Also stereo audio.
>
>We have a 1.2gig CPU with 80Gig 7200 IBM IDE Matrox Display
>and Capture Road Runner (will go to Firewire)

Look at www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder--comparison.htm
for comparison of Sony Mini-DV *imaging types* (covers all
their current camcorders, NTSC). You will see that in
general the one-chippers have a higher-contrast picture,
with a tendency to "blow out" highlights easily, less color
saturation, more "noise" with motion, and less ability
to shoot well in low light compared with the 3-chippers...
In the US, the 3-chip TRV900 is around $1500US, and is
quite good for the purposes you mention...