HELP - Need video camara quick!

[skater]

I was helped on this board last year to buy a digital camera at the last minute, now I need help purchasing a new video camara. Our camera is about 8 years old ( I think?) and we desperately need a new one for my son's black belt test this Saturday. Our old one now makes beeping noises every time I record. This will not go over well in a belt test! I can spend about $500 or less (possibly a little more) and need something very simple with fairly good quality. Its more important for me to have good quality than bells and whistles - I won't be doing anything fancy with it! Its also more important for me to have a good quality picture than to be able to play it directly on my DVD player - I don't mind if I have to convert it to DVD. Whatever is best - PLEASE HELP. (Also, I'm not very good with new technology, so simple is better).