[Dr. Gruv]

don't know who to ask... i see that there are a lot of video people here.
i am a teacher and a semi - regular poster

i won a tech grant and can choose from the following cams:

which do you like and why?
what would be easy enough for jr. high kids to use?
which might be more reliable? hd? disk? other?

Sony - Handycam High-Definition Camcorder with 30GB Hard Drive HDR-SR1
30GB hard drive; 10x optical/80x digital zoom; image stabilization; 3.5" widescreen LCD monitor; digital still mode

Sony - Handycam High-Definition DVD Camcorder HDR-UX1
records directly to DL DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-R/RW; 10x optical/80x digital zoom; image stabilization; 3.5" widescreen LCD monitor; digital still mode

Sony - High-Definition MiniDV 2.1MP Handycam Camcorder HDR-HC5 10x optical/80x digital zoom; SteadyShot stabilization; real-time HD codec engine; Super NightShot infrared system

Sony - 3.2MP Handycam DVD Camcorder HDR-UX7
Records directly to DL DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-R/RW; 10x optical/20x digital zoom; optical image stabilization; 2.7" widescreen LCD monitor; digital still mode

Sony - High-Definition MiniDV 3.2MP Handycam Camcorder HDR-HC7 10x optical/20x digital zoom; SteadyShot optical stabilization; real-time HD codec engine; Super NightShot infrared system

[digitalprimate]

I still prefer tape, as miniDV tapes are really cheap.
so to be honest, the ONLY choice I would make if I were you is the HDR-HC7, which can record both DV and HDV.

Read some reviews at Camcorderinfo.com, which is by far the most comprehensive site on most of your camcorders.