For modern digital videomaking, you need :

• A digital camcorder with 'DV in/out'
• A computer with a Firewire (IIEE3394) input
• Editing software.

Firewire (IIEE3394) is the standard interface for transferring video between the camera and the computer. Some camcorders sold in Europe don't have 'DV in', which means you can't transfer your edited footage back to the camera or use your editing program to control the camera.

These pages give a brief summary of what you should look for.