Get a minidv digital camera. You'll never look back. The cameras are smaller, the video is much clearer, and the available zoom much greater even on the entry level models. All of the them have AV outputs. If you do not want to edit (as you say), the easiest way to keep your video on permanent media, is to buy a free standing recorder. They almost all accept RCA AV input and will burn a dvd that will play on most dvd players with a munimum of fuss. They have come down in cost. (Cyberhome sells a model that retails for about $100). You could stay with recording to VHS tapes, but dvd's are much better for permanence and ease of storage.