In message , John Russell
writes
Snipped...

I have just changed to the HC42 from a JVC. The build quality is far
superior. The touch screen could be akward for those with big fingers,
or wareing thick snow gloves!

As I mentioned in another thread, I'd recommend using a stylus. I picked
up a nice combined red/black/stylus pen for just a few pounds on Ebay
(search for 'stylus').

I'd also suggest using an LCD protector - a very thin semi-adhesive
film. Jessops do one for a little over £3 (there are three in the pack)
and are large enough to be cut down for any make/model camcorder..

Also DV is only accessible via the Handy cam station. This is a real
pain for those who like "swapping" video in the field, or when copying
lot's of tapes to the PC after a photo shoot. Having to unplug the
power and un-dock the camera to swap tapes gets frustrating when you
used to having all the cables plugged in the camera. Why couldn't they
have found space for an on camera DV in/out?

I can see an argument for a docking station. When capturing to my PC,
all the controls are on one side of the camcorder, and the firewire (and
all other connections with the exception of power) on the other. I soon
started to get concerned about the possibility of damaging the firewire
socket on the camcorder. I spent some time in designing and making an
"editing stand" that supports the camcorder at an ergonomic angle, all
controls visible, with the firewire outlet on the reverse, but above the
desk.

Also widescreen does drive you to want to film a wider field of view,
and for that you need an add on wide lens. I have seen one make of
widescreen cam due out this month which include that for free!

Though I concede that a wide-angle lens is one of the best and useful
accessories, you don't actually need one to benefit from shooting
wide-screen if your camcorder has it.

Also why is that cameras which are not "budget" models still come with
the "composite" only cable. Anyone buying a widescreen cam will have a
widescreen TV with s-video inputs, and expect to use that! So that's
another extra you have to get.

I suppose you could argue that they should include a firewire cable (and
perhaps a firewire card). However, I think I'd dispute that most
wide-screen TVs come with S-video.

--
Tony Morgan
http://www.rhylonline.com