If it's a mini-DV camcorder you have in mind then they will all have a firewire port and that is the only way you should capture EVER!!!!

When you buy one, if it has a CD with it then don't let it ever touch your CD drive ok?

The format will be up tot he capture s/w so what editor will you be using. Typically, unless you go out of your way, you will capture to DV-AVI and these are the best thing to edit.

As to specific camera. Pretty much, once you have decided to go mini-DV then it's all personal preference. Do you need widescreen? Do you need manual controls of focus and exposure etc etc.

If it's going on a tripod then consider getting one that doesn't bottom-load.

Forget digital zoom.
optical zoom is the ONLY thing that matters. Forget special features like sepia and fades in and out and titles. These things are all so much better done in an editor on a PC (or Mac) than on camera etc etc.

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I'm not young enough to know everything!