On Fri, 19 Jan 2001 08:10:10 +1100, mcdonald wrote:

>I'm itching to upgrade my woefully inadequate (yet neat) JVC GR-DVL20
>and, after a summer of slaving away at a casual job, I finally have the
>cash to think about making a move. My budget limits me to an entry-level
>3-chip camera. I intend to continue using whatever I buy to make shorts.
>I have a number of questions concerning the entry level 3-chip cameras,
>though. They are:
>
>GENERAL
>1a) Assuming that the Sony TRV-900, Canon XM-1 and Panasonic DX-110 can
>all be purchased at around the same price, which camera presents the
>best value?
>1b) Do any of these three have features that the others lack?
>1c) What are your experiences with the camera? (incl. positive points as
>well as negatives)
>1d) Which is the best quality camera? (incl. build quality, optics,
>sound and visual performance)

See: www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
Several Mini-DV camcorders are critically reviewed there...

>SONY TRV-900
>2a) The TRV-900 has a DV-CAM brother, the PD-100 I think. Is this more
>expensive than the TRV-900?

Yes.

>2b) How (if at all) does the PD-100 surpass the performance of the
>TRV-900?

Same image/sound, shorter tape run time...

>AVAILABILITY
>3a) I live in Newcastle, Australia and the more expensive camera's
>around here are a little scarce. (though Domayne does stock the Sony for
>$4,200) Do any Australian posters have any recommendations of somewhere
>cheap and reliable in NSW?
>
>ACCESSORIES
>4a) What are the basics I need in addition to the camera? I have a
>tripod but would like to shoot some more stylish footage.
>4b) Location, again, of any retailers in NSW.

A good-quality (not Tiffen...) UV filter is useful
for lens protection, and a circular polarizer can be
fun. A simple close-up lens can be nice for macro work.
A wide-angle converter is a must for me, but these are
hard to match properly to the camcorder for sharpest
results (more in the reviews...), though the
non-zoom-through Sony VCL-ES06 works well with most
camcorders, and is relatively cheap and light.