Digital 8 Camcorder Info

[leebo]

I'm in the market for a digital 8 camcorder to be used mainly for a record deck (it's cheaper than buying a digital 8 record deck). I'm shooting with a Sony three chip PD-150, but need two hour record time (the 150 can't do that). I could use another consumer MiniDV camcorder as a record deck, but the 80 minute tapes required for 2 hour recording (at LP speed) are very expensive.

It appears Sony only has three current D8 models in the US.

I'd prefer a 3.5 inch LCD, but their current models all come with 2.5 in LCD's.
I need Firewire in/out, and cuncurrent analogue output.

A headphone jack would be nice (the Sonys don't have one), as would a hotshoe. they're not absolutely necessary though.

Any suggestions?

[tag]

Maybe someone else has different information but I'm not aware of any manufacturer other than Sony that is currently producing D8 camcorders.

Hitachi and Canon, I believe, produced at least one model but not recently and not with an LCD larger than 2.5".

Best bet for an LCD larger than 2.5" is a used Sony on ebay, probably. I think the TRV720 had something like a 4" LCD.

[leebo]

Thanks. Ebay scares me though. Ever buy anything from them? Headwear could be an issue in a used camcorder as well. I'll check them out though.

Maybe I should just spring for the D8 deck, but I was hoping the recorder could do double duty for weddings and such.

[tag]

Thanks. Ebay scares me though. Ever buy anything from them? Headwear could be an issue in a used camcorder as well. I'll check them out though.

Maybe I should just spring for the D8 deck, but I was hoping the recorder could do double duty for weddings and such.

Yep, scares me as well for an item such as a used camcorder. I suppose one needs to ascertain (in some manner or another) how the thing has been treated.

Re the deck, if you could live with the 2.5" LCD and without the headphone jack and hotshoe, you could pick up a brand new TRV460 for under $400......still probably cheaper than a deck, right?