I was thinking of this article:
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=166
He is dismissive of the lower end tripods and is big on Vinten Vision 3 or 6 and the Sachtler DV6 and DV8 - at least for handheld camcorders.
He does have good things to say about the Libec LS-38 and Vinten Pro-6 (aka 503HDV with Vinten pozi-loc legs), but I think it's more of a "not bad considering the price".