With HDTV finding itself into more and more homes, amateur and prosumer videographers aren't going to stand for low resolution, less than wide screen video. Though some cost as much as an HDTV set, HD camcorders yield the same fantastic, almost 3D images that HDTV owners are used to with broadcast and now with DVD HD.

You will notice that I included no standard definition camcorders in this review and that Gear Digest doesn't devote any space to standard def TVs. That's because for all intents and purposes standard def is dead.

If HD is out of your reach right now and you have an adequate standard def setup, wait a bit. This sort of electronic equipment always starts our fairly expensive and drops in price rather quickly as R&D costs are recovered and competition heats up. Remember that DVD players far less sophisticated than today's £40 models sold for over £800 when they originally came on the market. Standard def camcorders were also sky high before they became commodities.

Someday camcorders will record eons of video on holographic devices at resolutions we can barely imagine. However, remember that each increase in resolution has to happen at all levels: HDTVs, HD camcorders, HD content players and recorders and, of course, content itself. So, don't hold your breath for the next big thing in HD video. If you can dig up the price of an HD camcorder, go for it. Sure prices will come down, but think of the HD adventures you'll miss and won't have to show the grandkids if you wait.

Join our discussion on this topic