Best value HD camcorder?

[Gunbucker]

Guys, I've been looking around for a HD (either HDV or AVCHD) camcorder, preferably below SGD2000.

I don't have preferences on the media, though I'm not so stoked about DVD media or proprietary storage media (e.g., Sony MemorySticks)

My usage pattern: For vacations, special occasions
Usage level: Consumer. No intention to do manual controls, or desire additional add-on capabilities. Point-and-shoot
Editting: Minimal. I have an Apple MacBook Pro with iMovie HD, and do not intend to get pro-grade apps. At most, I'll edit out poor takes, and that's about it.
Viewing of Videos: On my Mac, or store on my PlayStation3 and view it on LCD TV

Hoping to hear from our house camcorder gurus!

 

[Hobbes00]

Canon's HV20. and JVC Everio.

 

[aquacocoa85]

Reviews for HV20 are excellent.

Try checking out the HV20 forums at www.hv20.com They've got a nice community going on there as well.

Just to let you know what sort of videos it can produce, check this link out.
A music video shot on HV20 in HD format. Excellent stuff from a mini handheld cam.

below is the full res copy
http://hv20.info/yopu/ghost720.wmv

and below here is the youtube version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOFZQ5J-yp4

Last I heard was going for about $1800 from Alan Photos.

 

[Gunbucker]

Thanks guys.

After much consideration on my probable use case patterns, I pulled the trigger on the Sony CX7 at Sitex today :sweat:

Having a PS3 for storing/playing back HD clips, the portable size, robustness of solid-state medium, and the undeniable truth that I'm a lazy bas***d that doesn't want to do post-processing pretty much tipped the scales from getting a Canon HV20.

Now let me just get used to this whole HD video thingy... :bsmilie:

 

[Malko]

Which kind of offer did they have at Sitex?

 

[nigelc]

If i am not wrong, the offer at Sitex is the same as that in Sony shops... I stand to be corrected though.. ;p

 

[Gunbucker]

Pretty much the same price as shops (after all, it is by Harvey Norman). Probably the "extras" from what the shops offer are the 2GB memory stick, extra battery (additional to the one included and the one inside the soft pouch), and sony travel tripod.

Messed around with the camcorder for a while. So far very decent video quality (can't comment much yet). Love the ease of, or lack of, workflow... take the shot, pop in the memory stick into the PS3 and view on the HD TV. Can't be anymore simpler I guess.