What is the easiest/best camcorder on the market that will transfer to DVD and computer in a cinch?

Question

I want to be able to video my 3 year old growing up and so I will tote the camcorder around and don't want to be so heavy and bulky. I want to be able to put it in my purse and go.

Answer 1

You can get something like the Panasonic VDR-D210, which records directly to DVD.  Or if you want something higher quality, you can get an HD camcorder like the Canon HV20.  It records to tape (you just have to capture the footage and burn to DVD).

Good Luck!

Answer 2

A couple months ago i was doing this same kind of questions because i also whas going to buy a  cam for my dauthers birth and after plenty of reading and comparing diferent models side by side here is what i remember....

Ok Cameras that use the miniDV tapes most have a lot of features but after the taping is done and you whant to make a DVD for grandma ,if you have 45 min of filw in the cam it will take you the same amount of time to transfer to your computer.

Meaning 30min on tape 30min to transfer into a computer so you can edit and make a DVD.

Its slow and all but quality is suposed to be better and the blank tapes cost a bit though they are coming down but still you have to have blank ones so you have less space in your bag..

Then you have the miniDVD.

Ok the DVD are a bit cheaper than the tapes but one of the cons of this type is that after you record and the dvd is full now you have to finalise the dvd and that alone depending on the model and manufacturer can take from 1min to 3min so anything else that hapens in that tape you miss it . Transfer to computer is a bit faster. Still have to keep more blank dvd with you.

Then you have the one i decided for the cam with hard drives.

These are smaller than the other 2 and no need for extra expense in any kind of blank media. Transfer to computer is easy and and after you are done you decide what you whant to burn on dvd.

In my opininon go with the Hard Drive kind of cam,they cost a bit more but it pays itself back in no time with not having to buy blank media all the time.

Hope this help a bit.