how much recording time do you get per MB?

[JackTheTripper]

I'm looking at buying a digital video camera just to have around and have no idea about recording onto CF or SD or whatever.

Looking at a cheap recorder (around $400 - $500) and probably CF just cause it's a little cheaper. But if I got a 256mb card how much actual recording time is that? And are there different levels of clarity as with digital still cams? what effect does that have?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Jason Dunn]

To get decent quality digital video, you'll be recording onto a tape (MiniDV most likely) rather than onto a memory card. Some cameras can do video capture onto a memory card, but the quality is very poor, and it's pre-compressed, meaning you won't want to edit it later.