best thing to do is buy a camera mag and have a look through the reviews, and if they have a website post on their forum etc
However, for 300 quid, ur not going to get anything that is amazing in picture quality. But like you say your just getting into this, so obviously spending loads and loads on a camera would be waste if you get bored after a week or so
Although from my 2years of use with sony handycams i can say that the picture quality is bloody shocking for something that costs 600 odd quid
As for software Adobe Premiere is about the only decent software, without spending over the 1k price band. Plus it offers lots and lots of effects and tools to edit a decent film
