Which HDD Camcorder

Hello all,
I figured this was the best place to post this. I'm looking for some constructive feedback. I am planning on purchasing a Hard Disk Drive Camcorder sometime in the next 6 months. I intend to shoot the typical family footage along with some amature nature stuff. Indoor, and outdoor use applies here. Mostly, I'm worried about it's compatability with my MacBook (Running 10.5). I've been looking at the Sony models (DCR-SR62, DCR-SR82, etc.), and like their light weight, size of hard drive, and placement of buttons. I'm looking to spend somewhere under the $650 range.
I'm looking for feedback regarding what YOU think is the best camera (brand and model) and why.

Call me a "traditionalist" and you probably will be right, but before I buy a HDD video camera, I would compare the advantages and disadvantages between Tape based camcorders and HDD ones, and you may want to refer to the site below (and others).
http://www.cnet.com.au/camcorders/camcorders/0,239035915,240061716,00.htm
Despite some disadvantages, the Tape based format is the best choice in terms of image quality; more compression is applied to HDD and as you would know, you will compress further when you burn to a DVD. At the end of the process you finish up with a very compressed piece of video, resulting in loss of details and image clarity.
If easy access to your material is a major factor in your choice of Camera, keep in mind that, as you burn to DVD, you can have your chapters which gives you such access. And forget about in-camera editing which is a feature of HDD !
Also keep in mind that Discs can be very easily damaged, if you drop them for instance; they can end up with scratches etc ... which make them un-readable. With HDD you also have to "render" in camera and that process may take some time.
Familly type footage is an extremely valuable asset hich you will want to treasure for many years to come. Prices have come down a lot in recent years and I would even suggest you consider the purchase of a tape based HD camera such as the Sony HC7 or Canon HV20. One drawback for me with those two is that the viewfinder does not swivel, but that may not worry you. You'd have to pay a lot more to get that feature. You are about to make a long time investment here, and remember, you get what you pay for !
Finally, I would also suggest you use iMovie 6.
All the best in your hunt.
jc

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HOOOORAAAYYY,
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I have able to convert my movies from MPG2, which is the format of my JVR HDD camcorder to DV which is used by iMovie and iDVD.
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Firstly, there is a noticeably pause between clips of the video which spoils the viewing process
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http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
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****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
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Have a read of this....
Review
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