Theories:
- that the processing hardware gets hot, so the limit extends the life
- EU classification of camera as camcorder attracts duty
- FAT32 file size limit of memory cards is 2gb, but then you could chain the recordings seemlessly together "spanning" and have a playlist metafile to link them (how do PVRs cope)
- size of memory card, well just get a bigger one?
Is this limitation still prevalent, are there DSLRs out there prosumer and entry that don't have the limit. And why do those that have it, well have it?