Tripod... What a Headache!

I've been reading a lot in different blogs and forums about tripods...
In fact, I need one, but as you may guess...YES... you're all wise... I don't have much money... well which Rebel has?
Everybody is talking, you know...blah blah... if it's not Miller head, blah, if it's not Bogen...etc...
All these Miller-Bogen guys cost a lot of money..." Miller Arrow 25 1022 Fluid Head for Miller Tripod " US $2,449.00
And this is on eBay...
For the time being I cannot spend more than $350. and if I don't find anything decent for that price I think I'm gonna use my grandma's broomstick as a tripod.
Any suggestion, for my grandma's sake so she can keep on cleaning the house...

Thanks

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When things aren't working out as you expected, just drink a cup of coffee and LAUGH...

The weight of the camera dictates which tripod you need. Fluid tripod heads have weight limits beyond which they lose fluidity. If you have an HV30, you can get a fine fluid head tripod for $80-100 (for small cameras, the Velbon Videomate 607 would be a good choice). Up in weight to a DVX-100 or HVR-V1U, go with a Manfrotto 501hdv head with some sticks, somewhere between $389 and $550. If you have an HVX-200, EX1 or EX3, you can get away with a Manfrotto 503hdv head and sticks - somewhere between $480 and $700, though a Cartoni Focus or Sachtler DV6 would be better, somewhere in the $1400 to $1700 range. Let me know what camera you're using and I can make a suggestion.

Funny you asked, because I was just researching this.

I have a HVR-A1U with a matte box and a DTE recorder... I can check the whole weight and decide...

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When things aren't working out as you expected, just drink a cup of coffee and LAUGH...

I would think that this would meet your needs, and mobile as well:

http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&productCode=501HDV,755XBK&productDescription=KIT%20501HDV+755BK+MBAG80P&curBrandId=MAN&market=MKT2

You can get it for as little as $475 in some places, I think. Go any lower-end than this and it won't be fluid.

This is the one I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-Video-Tripod-w-Fluid-Pan-Head-EI717-717-75mm-Bowl_W0QQitemZ360080042755QQihZ023QQcategoryZ30094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's low cost, and high build quality.. the fluid motion of the head is VERY smooth, and it's more than enough for your camera.