Camcorders update.(ELECTRONICS: GET THE PICTURE)(Buyers Guide)

Digital camcorders, now the majority of the market, deliver consistent quality regardless of recording speed.

The major decision is whether you want to record on tape (D8 or MiniDV) or on a DVD. (Some JVC models record to a hard disk.) Tape is reusable and gives you the most recording time for the money at $6.50 for 60 minutes. Tape camcorders are also generally the lowest priced. But tapes may deteriorate over time if not properly stored, you must use the camcorder for playback, and you can't quickly access scenes.

DVDs can be played on many DVD players or computers, are more durable than tapes, and let you quickly access scenes. The least costly camcorder DVD, the $2.50 DVD-R, can be used only once. Reusable DVD-RAMs cost $20 and may not be compatible with some players.

On the horizon: high-definition camcorders, such as Sony's recently introduced HDR-HC1, about $2,000.

Brand repair history

Readers report on some 35,000 camcorders.

This graph shows the percentage of digital and analog camcorders that have Been repaired or developed a serious problem that wasn't repaired. We don't have enough reader data to judge the reliability of DVD camcorders. Models within a brand may vary, and design and manufacturing changes may affect reliability. Nevertheless, you can improve your chances of getting a trouble-free camcorder if you choose a brand that has been reliable in the past.