[luckyjoe]

I've ready to ditch my Hi-8 camcorder for a digital model. I am wondering how the various formats compare to hi-8?

Here is what I'd like to rank by perceived *visual* quality level (i.e. playback via tape/DVD to a TV):

- Hi-8 tape
- MiniDV (tape)
- mpeg2
- HDD-DV (hard drive, not high def)

I'm thinking that I could live with a less-than-the-best DV quality, as long as I see an improvement over the hi-8 tape I now use. I don't think the SD-based cameras will be at the level I want for another year. So I'm thinking of getting a small, fun CF/MD/SD camcorder to play with until what I want becomes a reality. This strategy would have me considering mpeg2 format to avoid the bulk of the Mini-DV tape and tape drive - small, light and fun until technology/video-quality catches-up...

Regards,

Tom P.

[msuper69]

I absolutely love this camera (Sony DSC-M1):

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cybershot...894468?ie=UTF8

The videos are VGA quality in MPEG-4 format. They are better than the formats you listed (except for DV). Very compact. I take it everywhere I go.

Works well with iMovie.

[luckyjoe]

Good point. I've been looking at digital camcorders that do pics as well, but it looks like digicams that also do mpeg4 is more what I'm after...

Thanks,

Tom P.