Forgot to add...

The Samsung has a built-in 8g mem along with the SD reader (which currently has a 8gig card in it)...

When plugged into a PC, it displays as 2 USB drives...one for the internal mem...one for the card mem.

I just wrote a autorun + batch script that launches when I 'dock' the camcorder on my desk to 'move' the photos and video to my storage drive. Easy. Automatic.

Dump the tape! Go to flash memory...I adopted MiniDV 10 years ago (with my Sony) an this is what I found.

3 problems:

1: Most mics on cameras can 'hear' and will record the motor pulling the tape...it's annoying as hell in playback (unless you plan on taking a external mic everywhere you go).

2. Tapes, if not handled with care and stored in a clean room like temperature controlled environ will harden/become brittle (like all tapes do) causing artificats on playback cuz the tape isn't traveling over the read heads properly.

3. I refer to the case of VHS vs DVD....no instant access to your scenes on tape: FF...REW...FF...REW... = tape wear

I now have the Samsung SC-HMX20C model (my Sony batts died and the issues above pushed me to get a new camcorder) and so far like the ability it gives me in the form factor it has (touchscreen lcd is great, HD/SD/Photo mode, good selection of recording modes, and it's light weight is great for attaching the thing to a monopod and lifting over walls or crowds, however their docking base sucks...hard to get it on there just right). Note: This model has a photo mode...the cheaper $250 model does not.

Just echoing Bouchay comment; this is old-just-rebranded-tech. I got one of these for my mom (w black housing); 512meg for like $50 almost a year ago (yes, with the multi-color display).

If you want something that you can put together yourself that has gigabit, raid 0/1, 2 USB, supports two SATA 1 drives, fan cooled, FTP server, and has a print server for around $200, get the D-link DNS 323 (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=509). Only problem is that they're backordered even thru the D-Link store. :( Mine's on order to replace my trusty Iomega StorCenter Pro 160 (modded to 300) (http://www.iomega.com/na/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=19871991&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=20982807&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=26890319&bmUID=1133204289941)!

As a Gen-1 iPod Shuffle owner myself, I'd get one of these (http://www.sunconnection.jp/product/scmp001w/index.html) before I got another embedded memory, LCD-less mp3 player. Granted, one of the main reasons I love my Shuffle is so I can use it as a memory stick (USB connector on it) so this new version doesn't do anything for me. Since I have a PPC-6700, I use MiniSD cards like crazy for audio and video playback on my phone ('House, M.D.' Season 2, anyone?) :-p

Picked up a Dell 2405FPW 24-inch wide aspect flat panel monitor w/ 3 yr warrenty about 2 weeks ago from Dell for $820 (pre-tax) with free shipping + swivel/tilt/rotate + 2 usb ports + built-in card reader + 1900x1200 res...solid monitor with a ton of input ports! I ordered it Sunday night, got it the following Tuesday; 2 freakin day delivery! I use it for work...right...work. Just checked out Dell's site; price is back up to $1100 [http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=24053YR&cs=19&c=us&l=en]. Watch the Dell site for the sale to come back (this was the second time I've noted the price drop).