stevensally:
I was thinking of getting either the Sony DCR-PC1000 or Sony DCR-HC90 in an Ikelite housing with Ikelite video light. However with the advent of High definition I'm not sure if I should hold out and get the Sony HDR-HC1 High definition camera. The problem is if I go for the HC1 I can't afford the video light. Can anyone help me decide.
Tough decision. But you gotta make it yourself.
I have the older PC-330 in an Light and Motion (L&M) Mako housing. It shoots great UW video and is easy to handle and lug around. But, sometime in the next few months, I'll migrate to HD. Why? I am a quality freak, always searching for better quality. It is a problem. Keeps me poor.
But, I suspect that, for most underwater video, you will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between SD and HD, because the UW environment is usually the definitive factor on image quality. Unless you are shooting in crystal-clear water, I am not sure how much difference you will see.
Another pricing factor is video editing. If you are at all serious about UW video you have to put a lot of effort into the editing. Just running your DV tape into a TV is not going to impress your audience for long. There are many good, cheap video editors for SD. But for HD, you need a decent editing system and that'll cost.
And I agree with the earlier comments about the housing. If you can, buy a good one with a broad range of easy-to-get-at controls. There is a heck of a lot to manage when you first get into UW video so camera control placement is important. I love my L&M Mako.
By the way, when I move to HD I might put my L&M Mako on the market. With a slight modification it'll fit the PC-1000. Wanna make me an offer.
Regards
Peter