Topic: HD Video Camera on the cheap?

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

I'm trying to help a friend who is buying a video camera.   She is about to buy a Sony HDR/FX1 1080i camera.   The prices are pretty steep so I'm looking for a couple of suggestions:

1) Anyone know the cheapest place or any deals?  I looked and I didn't see anything cheaper than what she said. 

2) Are there other options?  The camera will be used to film production videos for VCD and eventually DVD.  Is there a suitable pro camera that won't cost her $2800 but will be respectable for that kind of work?

She is basicly giving this to someone as a charity/gift to help them follow a dream.  I'd really like to help her out buy saving her money, even if it means presenting an alternative.

thanks for any help at all.

[sabre]

Do you really need HD camera?
If you want to save a few $$ then I'd take a look at the Sony VX2100 - bhphotovideo.com has it for $2,300.

[Elvis Hitler]

I'll second the VX2100 recommendation, I've been using one for 2 years now and am very happy with its performance.   It's not HD, but it is 3 CCD and produces a beautiful picture.

If she's determined to get HD, there's a new model by Sanyo that sells for $800, but I haven't heard any reviews on this camera yet (see thread below in this forum).

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Ts to you  guys for the input.  I'll pass it along.

I think she is pretty much stuck on doing the HD camera.  The Sanyo isn't available for a few months and she is leaving for Laos in a few weeks.  I'll mention that camera to her in case she can wait.  But I think she wants to arrive with it in hand. 



edit:  oh yeah, Elvis Hitler.   The handle without which Lil' Kim Jong-Il would never have been spawned 

[Elvis Hitler]

I've been tempted to steal "Li'l Kim Jong-Il" and make it my username on another board...

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

Use it. 

Although, Ghengis Couger Mellen Kahn is still the all time best.

[VA_TAPER]

the sanyo is a toy, the sony hdv's rule on conversion to DVD due to colorspace and resolution issues. there is a current rebate on the A1U sony hdvs bringing the price down to $2000 from B&H photo.  this is the camera I went with here is a few samples downrezz'd to DVD progressive from the HDV footage from my europe trip: http://www.comebackdownload.com/EuropeDVDTest.mpg

peace, chris

[BuddyGoodness]

the sanyo is a toy, the sony hdv's rule on conversion to DVD due to colorspace and resolution issues. there is a current rebate on the A1U sony hdvs bringing the price down to $2000 from B&H photo.  this is the camera I went with here is a few samples downrezz'd to DVD progressive from the HDV footage from my europe trip: http://www.comebackdownload.com/EuropeDVDTest.mpg

peace, chris

Wow that is some incredible footage.  Do you think it would look that good from the sony HC1?