What camcorder should I purchase?

What kind of camcorder should I purchase?

• Ideally, I wanted one that recorded directly onto DVDs that I could pop right in my DVD player. Then I thought I might want to do editing to the video before having it finalized, but that wouldn't be possible if it was already recorded on the DVD straight from the video camera right? Or is it possible to use the recorded DVD to put the video on my computer, edit whatever I want, then burn it onto a new DVD disc? And how do I know if my computer has the option to do that? Like this one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-Handycam-Dvd-Camcorder-650/10965631 OR would it be better to get a camcorder that I just hook up to my computer via USB cord and then burn it onto a DVD disc? How can I be sure it would play as a DVD and not just save on the disc to be opened on only computers? Something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/DXG-DXG-533VB-HD/12338924 I'm not too worried about editing, it's just for family use. What kind of camcorder (the more specific the better!) do you think I should get? Nothing above $300 by the way!! Thank you!

• Answer:

  Do not get the kind that record direct to DVD. Much of what you tape you will not want to keep. I heavily edit my tapes. I have a Sony Handy Cam that records to 8mm digital tapes. I would suggest this type or one that records onto a chip for direct import to a computer.