Here is a place that has links to several relevent deals for this camcorder. Several of which are somewhat less that the $280 you found. Good hunting!
I recomend avoiding Hard Drive or any other solid state camcorders. Several reasons, with MiniDV, you have the tape for life, it is small and it won't crash like a computer Hard Drive might. Second, Sony, JVC, Cannon all use different video file form...
Here's a list of miniDV camcorders that can accept AV analog input: