digital video camera off eBay

Firstly, I'm located in Sydney, Australia.

I'm thinking of buying a digital video camera, and I'm just looking for some
advice as I've never bought or used one before.
The purpose of the camera would be for personal uses, including sport shots,
and preferably night shots also.
The camera doesn't need to be able to take photos, however I assume it's
pretty standard nowadays.

I am looking for a camera on eBay, and would like to spend <AU$1000, and if
possible, <AU$750.

Again, it would be my first camera, so it won't need to be anything amazing
and spectacular, though I would like it to have DVD (or better) quality
resolution, as I would be burning the movies onto DVD-R.

I have a Sony digital camera, and am quite satisfied with their products, so
I wouldn't mind a Sony video camera. Firewire is preferable, as I am also
investing in an external IDE firewire drive bay, so I can kill 2 birds with
1 stone on the interface card.

So what is the difference between these digital mediums? Digital 8, Mini DV,
Micro MV
They're all digital, right? Are there any advantages or disadvantages?

Any last minute advice you can offer? what to specifically stay away from?
what I would specifically want (e.g. a feature that you think would be
cool/useful)?

Thankyou

Speaking from experience, when you buy an expensive item on ebay it is VERY
important to buy from someone with an excellent rating. I often pay more to
get an item from a reputable seller.

Andrew

"Matt McKay" <nospam.DeleteThis@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:M41Ua.13517$OM3.11888@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
 > Firstly, I'm located in Sydney, Australia.
 >
 > I'm thinking of buying a digital video camera, and I'm just looking for
some
 > advice as I've never bought or used one before.
 > The purpose of the camera would be for personal uses, including sport
shots,
 > and preferably night shots also.
 > The camera doesn't need to be able to take photos, however I assume it's
 > pretty standard nowadays.
 >
 > I am looking for a camera on eBay, and would like to spend <AU$1000, and
if
 > possible, <AU$750.
 >
 > Again, it would be my first camera, so it won't need to be anything
amazing
 > and spectacular, though I would like it to have DVD (or better) quality
 > resolution, as I would be burning the movies onto DVD-R.
 >
 > I have a Sony digital camera, and am quite satisfied with their products,
so
 > I wouldn't mind a Sony video camera. Firewire is preferable, as I am also
 > investing in an external IDE firewire drive bay, so I can kill 2 birds
with
 > 1 stone on the interface card.
 >
 > So what is the difference between these digital mediums? Digital 8, Mini
DV,
 > Micro MV
 > They're all digital, right? Are there any advantages or disadvantages?
 >
 > Any last minute advice you can offer? what to specifically stay away from?
 > what I would specifically want (e.g. a feature that you think would be
 > cool/useful)?
 >
 > Thankyou
 >
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