For the budget you listed you might wanted to look at the dvrex systems. I haven't used one myself--my brief stint with native dv editing was with a FAST DV Master Pro system--but I've read some favorable comments about the dvrex system from satisfied users.(posted 9260 days ago)Personally, I ended up building an NLE with Matrox Digisuite LE hardware and SpeedRazor software. It's a terrific system, and although it's above the budget you listed, in the end you have a professional editing system that you can turn around and do post- production work with to recoup the costs (and then some). You didn't mention what part of the country you're in... if you happen to be in the Washington, DC area then I'd be happy to let you tinker with my system to see what the setup can do.