Are you still using a Hi8 camcorder to record family events? If so, it is time to upgrade your video equipment.

High-definition camcorders are becoming affordable. That means you can get stunning video quality.

MEDIA FORMATS

Tape-based camcorders are still common. MiniDV camcorders are the most popular and inexpensive. But other formats are taking over and offer significant benefits:

Discs from DVD camcorders work with DVD players. Hard-drive camcorders record hours of video. You don't need to worry about tapes. Memory-card camcorders are small and light.

HIGH DEFINITION

Standard-definition video is 640 by 480 pixels. There are a few high-definition resolutions. There's 720, which records at 1,280 by 720 pixels. There's 1080, with a resolution of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels.

HD video can be interlaced or progressive. For example, you may see a camcorder that records 1080i or one that records 720p.

With interlaced video, odd rows of pixels are recorded on one frame. The next frame records even rows. With progressive scan, all pixel rows are recorded on the same frame.

HD camcorders may be marked HDV or AVCHD. Don't worry too much about this. HDV is used for recording to tapes. AVCHD is used for recording to memory cards, DVDs and hard drives.

HAND-HELD HIGH DEF

Sanyo's Xacti HD1000 ($800) records at 1080i. Sanyo claims it is the smallest, lightest camcorder at this resolution. It weighs slightly more than half a pound.

The Xacti HD1000 is a pistol grip camcorder that fits in your palm. It features 10x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD.

It records to SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards. An 8-gigabyte card holds about an hour and a half of video.

The HD1000 captures 4-megapixel images. There's also image stabilization and stereo audio.

BLU-RAY CAMCORDER

Hitachi's DZ-BD70A ($1,500) and DZ-BD7HA ($1,700) record to mini Blu-Ray discs. The discs store more data than standard DVDs. One disc holds an hour of 1080i video.

Both models have a 10x optical zoom and capture 4-megapixel images. They have a 2.7-inch LCD. The DZ-BD7HA also features a 30GB hard drive that holds four hours of video.

The 7.5GB Blu-Ray discs only work in Blu-Ray players and they're pricey. Expect to pay $25 for a one-use disc or $35 for a rewritable one.

HIGH DEF ON A BUDGET

Sony, Panasonic and Canon make a range of HD camcorders starting at around $600.

You can also get HD video on a shoestring budget, but you'll sacrifice on features.

Aiptek makes the GO-HD ($280), which records 720p to SDHC memory cards. It has a 3x optical zoom and a 2.4-inch LCD. It takes 5-megapixel still photos.

The video quality won't be as good as the others, but it is an inexpensive entry into the world of HD home movies.

SLOW MOTION

If you're buying a camcorder, it makes sense to go HD, but there are other exciting developments, too.

Casio recently unveiled a camera prototype capable of 300 frames per second at a video resolution of 720 by 480 pixels. Most video cameras record at 30 frames per second.

This camera will be perfect for slow-motion recording; it will catch moments other cameras would miss. Hopefully, we'll see this technology in camcorders soon.