On Tue, 10 Apr 2001 17:34:06 -0400, "Doorgunner" wrote:

>Hi guys,
>I have been looking for almost 20 days for the best digital camcoder, but
>still can't decide on what to buy.and finally decided that I really need
>some expert advice.
>I am willing to pay upto $2k and want this :
[...]
>as u see all that i know is what i read, I am looking for opinion from
>people who have actually handled the cameras.
>I would really appreciate any comments,
>Thanks in advance,and sorry for the RAMBLING BABBLE ! I am hoping SOME of
>you can make sense out of it !

You can find (critical...) reviews of several
Mini-DV camcorders (and some reviewed are similar
to models not reviewed...), at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
Unfortunately, your wishes conflict: the camera with
the best picture (VX-2000) is the biggest and most
expensive of the ones you mentioned (with the notable
exception of the XL-1); the 3-chippers do not have IR
capability; the smallest cameras are not 3-chippers,
and tend to have worse sound and picture quality than
the 3-chippers; the 3-chippers are generally limited
to 640x480 stills (though those from the VX-2000
are surprisingly good for web use and 4x5 printing).
I would either choose the TRV-900 for its medium size,
good image quality, acceptable stills, and good
low-light ability; or the VX-2000 (better in all the
above, but more expensive and larger). As for the
TRV-900 being "old", that is less important than its
picture and sound quality, still near the top - and
a considerably "older" camera is even better in
both (though no stills, and it is discontinued),
the VX-1000). Newer is not necessarily better...;-)