bjw answers:

Try the Kodak easy share

bjw answers:

There are many options, but I highly discourage you from buying a webcam. Real digital camcorders give you much better quality, and are useful for other applications. I would buy an older miniDV camcorder (miniDV is better quality than the cheap SD card camcorders, and much easier to edit than mini DVD camcorders- hard disk camcorders are good but usually more expensive-because they are newer and just for a little more convenience). At the consumer level, I really like the Sony TRV900 and the Canon Optura because of their fair video quality, and excellent manual controls- however they are both older models. Looking at newer models, I like the Panasonic PV-GS320 3CCD camcorder.

You can invest in an HD camcorder, but they are much more expensive, and I do not think you will notice a difference in resolution on Youtube.

To help improve the quality of your video I would Not use Windows Movie Maker or iMovie. I have found that when I used them, my videos become extremely blocky- even when using professional camcorders. Here are some cheap alternatives:
1) Pinnacle Studio: probably one of the best quality consumer programs
2) Ulead: I have the Ulead movie factory, and it is good for burning videos to CD or DVD, but on my version, you cannot just save your movie as an avi file on your computer

bjw answers:

Consumer level HD camcorders have 3 problems. 1) Blurry, fuzzy, out of focus areas closely around people in videos taken by consumer level HD camcorders. 2) Any movement, even a wave or lifting an arm, while in front of a recording consumer level HD camcorder, results in screen ghosts and artifacts being left on the video track, following the movement. Makes for bad video, sports videos are unwatchable. 3) Mandatory maximum record times – 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 minutes, 3 minutes – all times advertised as maximum record time for some consumer level HD camcorders. No event I have ever been to is that short. Either take multiple camcorders or pack up with out getting the end of the event on video.

With a MiniDV tape camcorder, record 60 or 90 minutes ( camcorder settings), 90 seconds or less to change a tape and record for 60 or 90 more and repeat till you run out of tapes.

You can get a Canon ZR960 for $250. It is a MiniDV tape camcorder, has a Mic jack. You need a firewire (IEEE1394) card ($25 to 30) for the computer and a firewire cable (less than 10) to be able to transfer video to your computer.

bjw answers:

My choice would to get the Flip Video HD. This little camera is simple and easy to use, it has about an hour of recording life, its small, has a built in USB Device, and is thin. You can put it in your pocket if you wanted to. I like to use it when traveling but you can use it for other things too. It hooks up to almost any tripod and is a great all around piece of equipment.

bjw answers:

JVC Everio GZ-HM200 Dual SD HD is a good camcorder for youtube.Dual SD card slot for dual memory continuous recording
1920×1080 Full HD recording.20x optical zoom with Konica Minolta HD lens.easy to upload,Laser-touch operation with sub-trigger and zoom; one-touch upload to YouTube

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OMH1JQ?ie=UTF8&tag=ad107-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OMH1JQ

or if you want cheaper one JVC Everio MS120 is a good SD camcorder to get.Dual SD card slot for dual memory continuous recording.40x Dynamic Zoom with Konica Minolta lens
Laser-touch operation with sub-trigger and zoom
One-touch upload to YouTube
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OMH1GY?ie=UTF8&tag=ad107-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OMH1GY