I've been shopping around for digital camcorders, and i'm confused about the 'actual pixel counts' for these camcorders.

Sony TRV30 boasts 1.5 megapixel CCD, but sony website says that the
"video actual" pixels is 1390K. Camcorderinfo.com says that it actually only uses about 300K because of processing limitations.

Sony TRV900 boasts 3 300K+ pixel CCD's (one for red, green, and blue)

Sony TRV27 boasts a megapixel CCD, but the sony website says the "video actual" pixels is only 690K, and again, many websites say that it's effect pixel count is closer to 300K.

so what gives? which has better resolution? is the TRV30 worth $500 more than the TRV27 if they both have the same effective pixels?

thanks,
a.