I am a hobbyist looking forward to shoot high resolution(broadcast quality) outdoor as well as indoor footage for personal use and fun. In the past I used Canon A1-digital and absolutely loved it. However, due to time restraints because of my job, I dropped out . Lately, with more time at my disposal, I would like to get back into my hobby.
I know a lot has changed since A1-days. I prefer to convert my tapes to DVD and watch them on my HD 65 inch Sony. I bought a cheap Sony DV camcorder that allowed me to convert my old Hi-8 tapes to DVD using Premiere 6.5. Now I would like to buy a 3 Chip camcorder between $1700-3000 range and so I have a choice bertween Gl2, VX-2000, Pany 100 and 80. I want a camcorder on the go that wiil allow me to shoot in good as well as sub-ambiant light as I dont have plans to use my camcorder in a controlled atmosphere.
Gl2, it seems, has a 20 X Zoom which will be great outdoors but
seems to have a red push. Vx-2000, it seems, has great low light capabilities. DVX-100 from what I read has 24P, 30P (the film look)
better wide screen than Canon and Sony (great for indoor composition) and DVC-80 seems souped down version of DVX-100 but with no progressive scan.
I already have a 5 Mega pixel Sony for stills and hence dont care much for still frame capabilities of the camcorder.
Any help in selection of a camcorder will be highly appreciated. Do I need progressive scan and I would at least like to keep the camcorder for 3-4 years knowing with the coming of HD broadcasts, all these camcorders are bound to get obsolete
Many Thanks
Brian

Viewing for a HD 65 inch Sony plus good low light for under $3000? The only cam that comes to mind is a GS100, and even that one won't have as good low light than a VX2000.

Yes,
I have to make best use of NTSC 480 lines. Cant aford the HD format. From what has been said Pany 100 chips are more sensitive to the low light. It may be VX 2K has a better circuitary that enables it to give low noise at high gains.
Thanks
Brian