Progressive scan video is also vastly superior for desktop editing and delivery because it contains no interlacing artifacts. You should look for this feature when buying a DV camera, and use it when filming for desktop delivery or if you want to capture higher quality still images from your video. Your old camcorder and VHS tape decks do not output IEEE 1394 DV video. Several Sony Digital8 camcorders also allow you to use existing Hi8 and Digital8 tapes. In feature to their models also.
Most camcorders support both formats.
32 kHz 12 bit audio can be four mono tracks or two stereo tracks. Many DV cameras only allow you to record 2 12-bit channels of audio at a time. If you are recording additional audio while shooting then you will have to later dub in this audio later. You can typically play back all four tracks at the same time. 48 kHz 16 bit audio is better quality than music CDs and may be preferable when using complex music for your audio tracks.