many pros do use a cheaper camcorder to watch and run the tapes on to save the heads on their high dollar cameras but for downloading the footage to use you need to use the highest quality you can get and usuallyt the camera fill the bill on that unless you want to spend a bunch on a high end deck to do this with. I have a JVC HR-DV3SU deck that plays and record miniDV and SVHS on and use that to review and download tapes with. I am sure they have newer models now that will transfer to DVD and that would be a better option, but hate to know what they cost now! My advice is to use your camera to record with and view and playback using a cheaper camera, but download off the original. Good luck! Mark