[makicr]

OK, my Sony DCR-TRV38 finally experienced the faulty CCD issue that gave rise to the Class Action suit several years back. As the class action is long gone, if I want to get it fixed, I will have to pay something like $250 (1/3 of the original price). Now my dilemma is: do I try to get it fixed, or just buy a new camera.

While I liked the TRV38, it is a little long-in-the-tooth. Of course, it has no High Def. No video stabilization (I am shaky). And limited bells and whistles.

I am fine with the Sony brand still. In fact, I think that the new HDR-XR520 is super sexy, but don't know if I can warrant the $1,500 price tag given that I would use it to shoot my kids sporadically throughout the year (although, that price is at the top of "could" spend limit, but above my "want" spend limit).

I had historically been adverse to HDD cameras as I was afraid of filing the HDD when on vacation, then be out of luck re: filming more. Tapes were nice, as you could always just go out and buy more if needed. I do have a laptop with firewire, so I could transfer stuff, and the HDD's are getting larger on the cameras, so this may not be a problem any longer.

Other than that, I have few other requirements, other than it has to fit in my hand well (average size man's hand) and not be a flip or similar design.

Anyone have suggestions from last year's or this coming year's line-ups? Or do you think that I should just kick in the $250 fix my old guy, and live with it for a few more years?

Thanks

[makicr]

OK, my Sony DCR-TRV38 finally experienced the faulty CCD issue that gave rise to the Class Action suit several years back. As the class action is long gone, if I want to get it fixed, I will have to pay something like $250 (1/3 of the original price). Now my dilemma is: do I try to get it fixed, or just buy a new camera.

While I liked the TRV38, it is a little long-in-the-tooth. Of course, it has no High Def. No video stabilization (I am shaky). And limited bells and whistles.

I am fine with the Sony brand still. In fact, I think that the new HDR-XR520 is super sexy, but don't know if I can warrant the $1,500 price tag given that I would use it to shoot my kids sporadically throughout the year (although, that price is at the top of "could" spend limit, but above my "want" spend limit).

I had historically been adverse to HDD cameras as I was afraid of filing the HDD when on vacation, then be out of luck re: filming more. Tapes were nice, as you could always just go out and buy more if needed. I do have a laptop with firewire, so I could transfer stuff, and the HDD's are getting larger on the cameras, so this may not be a problem any longer.

Other than that, I have few other requirements, other than it has to fit in my hand well (average size man's hand) and not be a flip or similar design.

Anyone have suggestions from last year's or this coming year's line-ups? Or do you think that I should just kick in the $250 fix my old guy, and live with it for a few more years?

Thanks