Not sure how much you but for cameras online if you dont know about B&H Photo. They are in the top 3 most reliable internet camera sites and tons of people use them. The A1 has been blown away by panasonic and sony and has dropped about a grand in price in less than a year. Thats why it has been lowered.
Good site to use. Realistically dont know what your going to get for a grand. The people suggesting Gl2s and VXs is who i would quote. Decent prosumer cameras, and good cameras to start to learn on how to use a camera. That was my first real camera. I would say use iMovie to start, but dont use the newest one cuz it sucks. FCP is about 1300 bucks. Well I think express is kinda cheep, but i dont know how good it is.
And if you buy online, before you purchase from any website check,
http://www.resellerratings.com.