a mate wants to film his daughter's 2nd birthday party, so he wants to buy a video camera. he's a serious technophobe so the easier to use the better. being able to transfer? the recordings onto dvd or vhs(haha. no really) very easily is a big big bonus.

doesnt have to be awesome quality or anything, and the cheaper the better. he doesnt really want to spend more than $500 if he doesnt have to.

anyone bought anything like this recently that theyd recommend?

probably a straight to dvd kind of one, make sure it comes with the cables to connect it to other equipment though

all video camera's have A/V leads included, so you can at the very least hook it up to a VCR to dub it onto tape.

the DVD camera's are ok, if you want to record and shelf it. you can play it back in any tray loaded DVD player (no slot load). you just have to remember to finalise it.

i prefer hard drive cameras. they are a little daunting to technophobes, but really, once you run through it with them, and they have a play, they're not that hard. especially the sony ones. they have software that is made specifically for sony cameras, so it's a piece of piss to use.

the sony's even have a button on the docking station saying "Burn DVD", which automatically burns all new footage (since last docked) to a dvd. all they have to do is put in a blank disc.

they camera's are easy to use, with the software and "burn dvd" button, the burning and editing is easy too. good image quality, night shot standard on all models (ala Paris Hilton video)

jvc everio mc-100 or mc-200.

old, cheap but small and rad.

records to mpeg2 at dvd quality, direct burn to dvd.

its what i have.

sweet as, cheers fellas