Not much - just minor the detailed review of the VX2100 here:
You can get a miniDV vcr. I think JVC makes one. That, once you get your camcorder fixed, will take some of the wear and tear off of your camcorder. You can also try getting a second hand MiniDV cam.
Do you mean Xm-1 or XL1? The XM1 is the PAL version of the XL1. As for which camera, I think the VX2100 has the edge, even though Im a big fan of canon's upper end cameras. Its slightly newer, and although doesnt have interchangeable lenses, still ha...