HD broadcast takes over in February 2009. I just read Best Buy just removed all analog (DV) TV's from their shelves. So if you don't have an HDTV, you soon will
I'm not an expert on this stuff but I do know a bit about it.
I don't think your statement above follows. We've had digital TV transmission in the UK for several years but it's not yet HD - that is starting to come but will take a while. The TVs that are disappearing are those with an analogue tuner, whereas HD also refers to the way the picture is displayed.
DV is not analogue - it's short for Digital Video.
For a first video camera I certainly wouldn't go to HD, though there's no reason you shouldn't if you want to spend the money. They tend to be bigger and heavier and much more battery-hungry, as well as being much more expensive.
AFAIK, the cameras with the best IQ (short of DV) are all miniDV. I know people with hard disk recorders and they're very easy to use, but the pictures are certainly lower quality. I don't know that there's any intrinsic reason for this, so maybe current model hard disk recorders are better.
When buying, remember that a video recorder is unbelievably complicated inside. I've never had one last more than two-three years of moderate use. It's the one item I would ALWAYS buy an extended warranty for.
As to makes, I've never liked JVC as a brand, just because their controls to me don't seem logical. I've never had a Sony that hasn't failed, and in every case Sony were unable/unwilling to repair it (and that's not just camcorders). The brand I would head for, based on the quality of all their products that I own, is Canon.
I use a video recorder (miniDV) here in Belize down to around 60'-70' with natural light, using a red filter. I don't bother to take it out if light or visibility is less than excellent - the results won't be worth it.
Lastly, as someone said above be prepared to lose this camera to flooding. If the housing is electronic be prepared to lose the electronics in that as well. Flooding happens, no matter how careful you are and how good the housing. Electronics flooded with sea water are instantly destroyed, with no possible hope of repair.