sony DCR-PD1 ?
 

have any of you have any information on this camera, i want to get as a cheap backup.

We have two of these at the local college.

Nice, but quite old DVCam-only camera. That means you get a maximum of 40 minutes of recording time per tape.

The clip-on adapter to allow external microphones and headphones is a bit fragile. If it breaks, all you have is an amateur camera with the microphone on the top, not the front. If it is missing, I seem to remember it costs around $150 to buy a new one.

Make certain you can get batteries for this camera. I seem to remember that they are unique to the camera.

If you can get one inexpensively enough, it probably is a reasonable buy. Otherwise, something like a PC-110 is more useful because you don't need the clip-on adapter.