I'm looking into getting my first video camera. I would like to order it in the next couple of days. I have it narrowed down to the H200, H18, and the GS320. I really like the convenience of the HDD cameras. I have downloaded some sample videos from the internet (not you tube videos) and have noticed some jitter, jagged edges or a shadow following objects (Kind of hard to explain). It is especially noticeable when it is something light on a dark backdrop or background. I started thinking that it was just the videos I downloaded from the internet. So I went to Circuit City and recorded about a minute long clip. I copied the clip to my laptop and took it home and burned it to a DVD to play it on my TV (Standard def. CRT TV, nothing fancy.). Again I saw the jitter or whatever you call it when I panned around the store. When I play it on my computer it’s not as noticeable, but I can still see it. I also started thinking it was my DVD player or my TV so I brought it into work and played it on our 42” LG HDTV Plasma. It looked worse on that.

The process I’m using to burn the DVD is pretty basic, there is no editing. I’m using Roxio Easy creator 9, using the quick DVD function. Add the clip to the project, then burn the disc.

I’m just wondering if this is normal for the HDD models? - I’m leaning towards this theory because any clips from MiniDV based cameras that I’ve burned onto DVD have looked fine.

So I’m just wondering if any H200 or H18 owners experience this issue and can shed some possible insight on the issue.

I'm pretty sure that the settings were set at XP, but I'm not 100% certain. I deleted all the movies off the drive before taking the clips and the time remaining was just over 7hrs (Like 7hr 4min). When the camera is still, the colors are really nice. And it appears pretty bright as well. Just when it moves it shows those jagged edges and that really bugs me. It actually makes me a little nauseous at times.

I'll be filming kids so keeping still won't be much of an option.

I'll be doing some editing like removing scenes, moving scenes around, etc. I don't think I'll be doing editing like sharpening, contrast, etc. At least not at first...

So I think I'm really leaning towards the GS320. Although I have been reading up on the GS80/85 and it seems to be getting some pretty good reviews for such a cheap camera. But thats for another forum...

I know it's been a while since you posted. in a really busy scene I have noticed some jumping, although very slight. as far as jagged edges, no complaints on the final product. if you're editing videos, etc, much of the final product will hinge on your software, but it sounds like you're getting a good preview as long as your software isn't trying to re-encode the video.

I decided to go with the GS80. So far I've been pretty impressed with it. The low light performance is OK, could be better. But for $200 I can't really complain. I really liked the convenience of the HDD cameras, but the quality of the videos I saw and recorded myself did not impress me at all. Maybe in a few years I'll move to a HDD camera, but for now the GS80 is suiting my needs fine.