Analogue -> Digital Conversion...

G'day,

IN SHORT:

Other than the Canon MV-X430, what other camcorders can do
analogue/digital conversion on the fly (instead of capturing to tape
first)?  What is the cheapest?

Alternatively, are there any DVD Recorders that have firewire output and
will "pass through" the analogue signal so I could hook it up to my eMac
and capture that way???  I read the Pioneer 310 has in and out
Firewire... (though read they cost $200 in USA, but $900 here???)


IN LONG:

I'm having to revisit the question of how to convert analogue video into
digital; namely capturing footage from a VCR onto my eMac.

In '04 I purchased a Sony PC104E MiniDV Cam for this purpose (as opposed
to a Canopus or other box converter), but was burgled last week and they
swiped the camera.

My insurance is paying out $1650 (for the Sony & my Sharp Viewcam that
was also stolen), so I just need to decide how to spend the money.  
I was going to go with Sony again, but was told that they don't make
cameras now that do analogue/digital conversion.  

Apparently the Canon MV-X430 does the job, and I've been quoted $850,
which leaves about $800.  Rather than get 2 video cameras, I was going
to then try and find a digital SLR for the balance - something that's
proving hard to do.

As an alternative, I was looking at the option of forgetting the
analogue/digital converter aspect so as to be able to find a cheaper
video camera.  Then I'll be able to get the SLR camera, but will still
need to find a way to convert analogue to digital...

Thus I was wondering if any of the DVD Recorders on the market these
days could take my Sony's place...  I see that the Pioneer 310 has
"firewire in and out"...  but will it do conversion on the fly?


Appreciate any advice....

cheers


cosmic