cost.
If by HDD, you mean hard disk drive, the DV cameras rarely use them because there is too much data coming too fast from an HD camera. The cameras have to compress the video to fit it on a tape.
The Canon HD camera can output to hard disk, but I've been told you need a fast processor and a disk array to keep up with the data coming from the camera.
You don't buy cameras for 'years to come' anymore. Three to five years is about the expected life.
I want to buy a videocamera and sure I will do "editing"
QUESTION 1
What is the smartest choice bying a camcorder to stay in the run for some years to come ?
1. Tape ?
2. DVD ?
3. IC memories (how many of those types will last in the future ?)
4. Hard Disk Drive ? This seems to avoid purchase of any media to replace. However, would new camera's eventually become sold with "removable" HDD minidrives? In some cases, I would imagine that having a spare minidrive in your pocket could be very much appreciated.
QUESTION 2
High Definition is coming up now. I don't know anything about video but noticed that the HD camera's do not seem to use HDD. What could be the reason ?

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