You will probably want to keep this very simple for them so they will be more likely to tape your daughter more often. I would recommend just having them tape your daughter and then sending you the tape. This can be done rather cheaply by getting an older format camcorder, VHS-C for example. Then all you need is an adaptor (Amazon still sells them) so when you get the tape in the mail you place it in the adaptor and watch it on your VCR. If you go with the two newer formats it gets a lot more expensive. You could buy a DVD camcorder but that is an expensive camcorder and so are the DVD's. If you buy a Mini DV the camcorder would be expensive and no adaptor is available or ever will be available because the format is not compatible (digital vs. analog).
You might want to try E-bay because people are upgrading to newer format camcorders and lots of good deals can be found. Just buy lots of tapes because the format is being discontinued. FYI the tapes are rerecordable.
Hope this helps.
Hi. I have a severely autistic daughter living in a residential situation in Massachusetts. Whereas I live in Florida. Altho she may not miss me so much, I miss HER! So I thought I could get a relatively inexpensive camcorder (like $300?) and ship it to the home she resides in and ask them to regularly flim her going about her day or for special activities. The filming would be 75% indoors. Would not be needed for very long periods of time. They have there a 7 yr old gateway computer and a vcr and a dvd player. I have a dell dimensions desktop with cdr and I am getting a new tv with dvd player on it. What will I need to buy - not only the camcorder, but for them to send it to me and how can I play it?For example- I saw in JCPenneys, a canonzr65 mini dv digital at a very good price, but I still do not understand how what they tape would play here in Florida! Sorry for being so totally ignorant!

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