Until recently, you didn't have that many options if you wanted a high-definition camcorder — a cam capable of shooting footage that takes advantage of the higher resolution of an HDTV. There were only two consumer models, from JVC and Sony, each costing more than three G's apiece. But in today's announcement of Sony's new HD Handycam, the HDR-HC3, the company says it'll bring HD recording to "mainstream consumers." Doubtful, guys, since the new cam will have a list price of $1,700 — just $100 cheaper than its predecessor, the HDR-HC1 (hmm… shouldn't there be an "HDR-HC2" somewhere in here?). Still, the new HC3, coming our way in April, will sport an HDMI output, the digital connector that's rapidly becoming the standard hookup for digital HD signals, so you'll be able to easily check out your extra-crispy footage on most newer HDTVs. But as far as bringing HD recording to the masses goes, we'll leave that to Sanyo's Xacti HD1, which will record high-def footage to SD flash memory cards and cost just $900. If it ever comes out, that is (it's supposed to debut next month). — Peter Pachal