Do those cheap little video cameras that have the flip out usb plug work decently?”
The one I have does, at least. I have a Flip Video camera, http://www.theflip.com/products.shtml that my wife got for me at Costco. I have the 30-minute version, and they also make a 60-minute version. This is not a full-featured camcorder, but it is very easy to use. It creates video that is better than VHS, but not as good as Mini-DV or other formats that are used on expensive models. You can play back the videos on the camera, through an ordinary TV (with the supplied cable), or on your PC. The software that comes with it is pretty basic; you can play back the videos and do some basic editing, but you should have some kind of video editing software if you want to do anything more than store the videos on your computer. I had no problems playing them back with QuickTime. The sound is monaural, but it’s acceptable; the mic is sensitive enough to pick up ordinary conversation without adding noise. The camera is not without drawbacks. It only takes video in good light, has a fixed-focus
