Hm.
The hv30 is a good bet....if you want consumer manual controls and a smallish camera that shoots HD in multiple framerates.
By next year I predict DVX/VX's will alos be under 1k.
Just buy an Hv30 and LEARN how to use it. Like any camera they can look like shit. Use it this summer filming anything just to learn how to white balance, set exposure (OR) shutterspeed (stupid HV20), and diferent framerates.
Bottom line......HV30.