[mark]

If I was buying a dv cam I'd go for either of these:

Sony VX1000

or

Canon DM XL1 - this is a bit steeper to buy but a decent example can be picked up for about a grand second-hand.

Both are fine semi-pro dv-cams with 3x ccd for extra depth & quality to your footage.

If just for filming 'at home' and 'upstairs' though, you'd be better off with a £500 job from dixons