I've been looking at some options for a camcorder where I want to video my trumpet lessons and have good sound for live music. I consdiered getting a Q3HD ... but at one point in time I bought a mixer, nice mic, etc and messed around with recording to the computer but I have had the need to do that about once and now it collects dust on my desk...(probably should have just got the q3hd to begin with.)

That aside, I liked the Zoom Q3HD because it was small and does HD video, but have heard that its really great for audio but really lousy for video (compared to most camcorders)

So now I have been looking primarily at Canon camcorders (I like the option to write to memory cards) and most ones that range between $400-650 or so would be about everything that I need.

Now the questions are ....
-- recommendation on camcorder to get?
-- external mic for a camcorder (I noticed that some come with the option of mounting an external mic on the camera and most do not have that option.
-- some people recommend getting the workhorse Zoom H1 and using that for the audio mic on a camcorder? thoughts?

I have recently (in past 6 months) updated my point and shoot / DSLR cameras with canon cameras (I like canon) althoug my ancient camcorder was Sony... anyway, they both have video capability and thought about instead of forgoing the camcorder and just getting an external mic for the Canon DSLR but have read that you can only record < 30 minutes. Most concerts, performances and private lessons I do are in the 1 hour range.

Of course beyond the live music / trumpet lessons, etc. I will use whatever options for kids, vacations, etc. But my primary focus is wanting something to get good quality audio with video as well (I can use this to review playing, lessons, etc. and with something like trumpet or most live music it is loud so needs audio that can handle that without too noise)