Cheap MiniDV cam for playback only

[thejaquio]

I'm looking for a cheap MiniDV camera to use as a playback device for capturing DV footage via IEEE 1394 and s-video/composite. I can find plenty of options using Froogle>sort by price, but is there anything to avoid? Are there any makes and models that you recommend?

I'm trying to lighten the load on my aging Sony VX1000. I love this camera, and I'd like it to last as long as possible.

Thanks.

[SingSing]

It has to be a Samsung.

It is still cheaper to buy TMPGenc, encode it to DVD, author with the free IFOedit and burn to DVD with DVD burner.

[sdsumike619]

I understand where you're coming from. I have a panasonic dvc80 for my "good camera" and I use a canon zr-20 for transferring video to the computer and it works well. Not sure how much money it costs now but I haven't had any problems with it.

[thejaquio]

Thanks. If it's all the same, I'll probably just get something off of eBay. I'd like to avoid a used camera, but I don't have the funds to be choosy.

SingSing, I think you misunderstood my question. I'm not looking for a final playback format. I want a cheap camera to capture from, so I don't put extra wear on my good camera. I'd get a DV deck, but their cost is quite prohibitive.

[ozymango]

I'm partial to JVCs myself, pretty much any model, as they have AV pass-through so you've got both DV tape output and external VHS or other analog input. I'd double-check the camera model at JVC's website to make sure it does indeed have the AV pass-through, but assuming it does, even the cheapest are nicely made.

[sdsumike619]

What exactly is AV pass-through?

[SingSing]

Better digital camcorders can be used to transfer/copy analog audio/video signal like VCR or Hi-8/mm to PC as digital signal, like miniDV.

You put a live analog signal into digital camcorder audio/video input (aka av pass thru), and start the tranfer to PC. The camcorder will start to digitised the VCR type signal, and send it to the PC as digital AV signal.

[sdsumike619]

I see, thanks