In the land of digital video, the consumer is king. Even so, consumers can feel slightly overwhelmed by the choice of digital video now available. Hence Hitachi's new idea. Why choose, it argues, when one camcorder can give you both?

Like some previous Sony models, the high-def HC7 plumps for the HDV format, which employs the mini DV tapes that most of us are familiar with. And we're pleased to report that it represents most of what's good about high-def camcorders

JVC's range of Everio camcorders has proved mighty successful over the last few years and the latest addition to its HD stable looks certain to continue the trend. It's also the first consumer camcorder to provide Full HD recording

Like all consumer DVD camcorders, the Canon DC230 has been designed for first-timers who have neither the time nor the inclination to mess around with the more complex functions and features associated with home video camcorders

While other manufacturers have hedged their bets in the increasingly complex world of camcorder formats, JVC has stuck to its guns with the hard disk Everio and the range has gone from strength to strength

The HDC-DX1 represents Panasonic's first tentative step into the world of disc-based HDV camcorders, though its track record with cassette and hard-drive HDV camcorders suggest that this shouldn't be anything less than an impressive debut

Sanyo might not be one of the marquee names when it comes to digital camcorders but the company has scored some points in recent months with the arrival of a select bunch of high-definition camcorders

The budget mini DV camcorder is a dying breed. There was a time, not long ago, when this sort of technology could command a mid-market price tag and would vie for shoppers' attention among a clutch of high-performance tape machines

DVD camcorders often surprise us. We have never made any secret of thinking the format has some unresolved issues. Yet the cams themselves have proved popular with the buying public and often confound our expectations with their quality

DVD camcorders often surprise us. We have never made any secret of the fact that we think the format has some issues that are yet to be resolved, yet the cams themselves have proved popular with the buying public

Having already dabbled its toe into HDV waters with the hard-drive HDCSD1, Panasonic is hoping to create something of a splash with the HDC-DX1, which captures HD footage onto DVDs - of the 8cm variety

Two years ago HDD and SD technologies were just emerging on the scene. Now, a quick glance across the major players in the camcorder world reveals that the new storage formats are most prevalent to the detriment of good old mini DV

The HDR-UX1 is one half of a dynamic duo of camcorders that Sony hopes will showcase the potential of both high-definition video in general and, more specifically, the AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) format

Even though high-def, DVD and hard drive all stand at the vanguard of a new digital movie-making age, there remains something comforting about the mini DV tape format, ensuring that the 'old fashioned' tape media will be going strong for a few years yet

Sony may have had the consumer HDV market to itself for a few of years, but Canon is starting to show an interest. The HV10 represents its first dip in the sub- £1,000 market and it goes head-to- head with Sony's HDR-HC3

As a top-of-the range DVD cam the 505 is well kitted out for all manner of shooting scenarios. Using 8cm discs, the cam is compatible with DVD-R, a record-once format that offers best compatibility with household DVD players...

This new Panasonic model, the SDR- H20, marries both formats, HDD and SD, to create a camcorder with so few moving parts that it makes mini DV look like a Heath Robinson illustration...

High-definition camcorders really do represent something to get excited about. The camcorder market has laboured in recent years to find an innovation or technology that could really yank consumers into stores

For some time now, industry watchers have been predicting the end of the cassette as the chosen medium for storing video footage. However, despite the considerable rise in alternatives, the humble mini DV tape appears to be digging in its heels and hanging on to the number one spot

Sanyo's Xacti VPC-C6 is the latest model since the range was launched in 2004. Now packing six megapixels and a raft of upgrades, the C6 looks better than ever.

Hard-disk-drive recording doesn't scare anyone anymore. Millions of people are now confident using and storing masses of digital data on computers. Take a look around and you'll also notice that a hard disk lets you carry your music with you on MP3 players

Two developments will influence the future development of camcorders. The first will be solid-state memory, which will eventually replace tapes and discs. The second is high-definition video

While Mini DV still remains the digital recording format of choice, there are many people who are naturally graduating towards DVD. Many of these are relatively new to the camcorder world having simply skipped the whole tape era

There are a range of products on the market these days that include acamcorder function as a feature of the device. The quality of thefootage varies but it's generally known that it won't be patch ongenuine camcorder footage