I can only speak to a Sea Life DC800 for personal experience. I have the video light and the strobe. Even the DC800 can take some great pics with the right light. I have friends with the DC1400 and I have seen some of the things it is capable of. For the price I would say it is a good buy, that is until the DC1600 comes out. Whenever that is.
Yes, about the light. It was the flash that comes with the DC800 that didn't work well. My son is using the Sola 1200 light and motion light with his DC1400 and the light is what seems to make the difference. The light seems to work well with still photos as well as video.