Video quality from better to worse:

MiniDV >> DVD/Mpeg2> mpeg4/Divx >> VCD/mpeg1
>> : much better
> : slightly better

MiniDV has best video quality which is better than DVD. You can download file to PC through firewire but it costs lots of effort and space which isn't very pratical. Then you need software convert them VCD or DVD in order to play them in DVD player. Latest DVD player can directly play Divx/Mpeg4 so you can convert it into these formats as well.

Camcorders supporting flash/drive should record the file directly in Divx/Mpeg4 format (you sould double check). Divx/Mpeg4 file is much smaller than DVD but only with slightly quality loss.

Buy a MiniDV and keep the tape for best quality. Be prepared lots of hussle to convert between formats.

Buy flash/drive type for convinience. And it's the trend in my view.

本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛也看了看 camcorderinfo 之类的网站，不过还是没有完全明白。

使用 flash / microdrive / hard drive 的 camcorder 好像都挺贵，而且 video 质量都一般般。

**实际上，图像质量和存储媒体没有太大的关系。flash/hd多用mpeg2格式，可以用usb直接copy到computer，miniDV就必须用1394/firewire/i-link(whatever you call it)“抓”到computer上，而且还得encode成mpeg2格式。60分钟的miniDV，抓到computer上需要1个小时，14g的硬盘空间，还需要2到3个小时转换成mpeg2格式。

使用 miniDV 格式的 camcorder 如果带有 usb / 火线接口，是否也可以把 video 传到 PC 上变成 AVI 之类的文件格式？如果可以，那么使用 flash / microdrive / hd 的主要优点又是什么？

** 可以直接copy mpeg2 ，不需要encode的时间。


如果我想要的功能包括：
图像质量还可以，需要在室内稍暗灯光拍摄

**呵呵，这是所有家庭用miniDV的弱项。$400US you can't find a good camcorder for low light condition for sure.

能够非常方便传到 PC 上，变成 AVI 文件

**if you want AVI, you have to goto miniDV, no other media offer AVI.

基本不太会需要编辑

** then you'd go for flash/dvd/HD...but they are all expensive.

电池寿命够长

** Most in-package camcorder battery can only last 1 hour or so.

静态图像质量无所谓

** Correct...still ability is garbage for camcorder.

象这样的需求，是不是 400 美金之内的就可以了？

**....recommend GS250..it's a good one but it's $770 on amazon.com更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net

flash / microdrive / hard drive or miniDV doesn't matter.
It's the record formate: DV, MPEG2 (DVD) or others. MPEG2 are more convenient if you want to store your movie on DVD.

图像质量还可以，
Check the size of CCD (1/2inch, 1/4 inch, 1/6 inch) number of CCD (1 or 3)

需要在室内稍暗灯光拍摄
It's very challenge for smaller CCD.

能够非常方便传到 PC 上，变成 AVI 文件
You can use USB2.0 but not as good as IEEE1394

电池寿命够长
Most standard battery only last for a hour or two, buy a extra large one.

静态图像质量无所谓
That's OK, you can not expect too much on that.

象这样的需求，是不是 400 美金之内的就可以了？
If you don't need 室内稍暗灯光拍摄. Most miniDV under $400CAD doing very well.