A rather hilarious - if embarrassing - snafu by Sony repair staff in Wales. It seems that workers at an electronics repair plant inadvertently recorded their lurid conversation while repairing a customer's camcorder. The customer got their camcorder back in good working order only to discover the X-rated conversation saved to memory.  Wales Online, which got the scoop, quoted the customer saying: "I was amazed to hear the conversation - you don't expect to find that in your camcorder."

Indeed.

There's no question that the MiniDV camcorder format is joining VHS-C and other tape-based formats in the proverbial dust bin of history. But according to Time Magazine, some people are still using it to film feature-length movies.

Some technologies that get passed over by the latest and greatest still manage to retain a following - mostly artistic types dedicated to keeping some old fashion techniques alive.  In the Time piece, it seems the film-makers went to MiniDV for budget reasons, not aesthetic ones. If you're in the market for your own budget camcorder, check out our list of the best.

(Photo via Wiki Commons under a GNUFD License.)

Everyone likes saving money, particularly during the worst recession since the Great Depression (perhaps you've heard of that?). Well, even in lean times, you still have memories to capture. And remember: every dollar you spend helps resuscitate our moribund economy. That's why we're pleased to present our list of the Best Budget Camcorders.

Bear in mind that this list, like the one for Pocket Camcorders, HD Camcorders and Flash Camcorders, are updated on a rolling basis to reflect model changes and new reviews.

Happy shopping!

(The JVC GZ-MS120. Image courtesy JVC)

Sony's HDR-TG5V is a high definition camcorder with a built-in GPS receiver and 16GB of flash memory. Encased in a sturdy titanium housing, it's pitched toward frequent travelers and the tech savvy, but with a price point of $1,000 does it deliver enough features to justify the cost? Read the review and find out, lest the suspense kill you.