Thx for the help so far. Since the last post I have been doing some more research and it may be worth recapping as to where i'm at. I have peviously worked with VHS tapes, using various stand alone (no computer) hardware to edit, cut, fade, dissolve add audio overlays and S F/X, so in analouge I am no novice.
But now I am upgrading to a totally digital system and that includes a camcorder. With regard to the Camcorder it appears that the Mini DV tape system is still the cheapest and easist to work with YES/NO?
With regard to a computer its interesting to note that none of the software editing bundles recommend you have a second dedicated hard drive for video editing, however, most users seem to think its desireable. Can you live without a second hard drive and not compromise your work YES/NO?
As for the editing software this appears to be the key question and from what ive seen, the software producers dont help themselves in their wishy washy description of their products. Whichever I go for HAS to have a blue screen or Chroma option, be able to overlay audio, do titling, fades,dissolves, wipes and at least some basis effects. With regard to individual packages you hear differing views. Pinnacle has been trashed as full of bugs and crashes, yet I guy I spoke to yesterday said he's never had a problem. I like the look of Adobe Premier but it's well pricy. Am not aiming for MGM Studios quality, but provided I can get a reliable package that does the above, i'll be happy. Hollywood will have to wait. Any suggestions, helpful hints???
Budget is £500/$800 Camcorder (am travelling to the States shortly)
Software £150
Hardware £100

Computer Specs Dell Dimension 5100
Intel 4 @ 2.8 Gig 160 gig H/D @7200 rpm 1024k RAM

Thx Rich

Yes. In fact you might consider the cheaper Digital8, but with a budget of $ 800 for a camcorder, you don't have to.
Well... yes, but you'll want that second dedicated hard drive asap. I know I did. That's why everybody recommends it (I hope you understand the advatages)
I work mostly Pinnacle Studio and have never had a problem either. At least in conjunction with the dedicated AV/DV board. I also play around with Avid but the way things are right now, I'll never be able to do an entire project in this NLE it reads like Chinese...
More and more people use Sony Vegas (and the lite version, Vegas Movie Studio) which fits your budget and is a little more advanced than Pinnacle Studio. Why don't you download a trial version and check it out?

With regard to your comment "I hope you understand the advantages" well I assume a dedicated drive will only need to focus on the editing input/output and not be slowed by other applications that would normally reside and clutter a HD - please explain and if I do add a second will it have to be an internal or will an external connected by USB be OK?


Thx Rich

That's right!
Some programs (such as Premiere) can't work with external hard drives, and external drives often cause "issues" (of what sort, check the forums). So an internal drive would probably be your best shot. You could get an external drive for backup.