That will work and many people have gone this route.

We have a couple of SONY GVD-1000 decks we use for playback, transfers, logging and field use. Great little units, but quite expensive.

When you guys consider "wear and tear on higher end units." What would you consider as higher-end units? Hmm... I have a GL2, but don't have an additional deck. Am I in trouble?

Tyge, my brother called me yesterday and said there was a Samsung miniDV at Sears on clearance for $300. I don't know how good Samsung is as a cam, but would think it would function nicely as a deck. I'm considering something along those lines myself.

Michael

That's the route I think I'm heading toward.

I can't see using these high dollar cameras for a playback unit.

Sears, huh? I'll check that out. We have a regional Sears clearance center locally. I might run over there and take a peak at what they have.