Canon HV20

[Judy]

I see that today, Canon released information on several still cameras (including the G9, which uses the same batteries as the HV20). I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on Canon's release cycle of camcorders. I'd hate to buy the HV20 and then in a VERY short time, have a newer/better one released. Heck, I've only had the G7 for about 6-months!

Judy

[Chuck Engels]

Camcorders are like computers, if you wait for the next bestest one you will be waiting forever. There is always a new model coming around the corner, if you are ready to buy and have a good reason to upgrade, just do it. Otherwise you could be waiting a long time.

[Judy]

Of course, you are right. I just haven't followed the release cycle of the camcorder as much as I have followed the still cameras.

[Paul LS]

You may want to wait a bit Judy, the "replacement/next model" for the HV20 is coming out in October.

[jimfallis04]

Hi Chuck:

I hope you had a great weekend!

I tried with total failure to have PrEl 3.0 capture video from my Canon HV20.

With the camera on DV-Lock, PrEl 3.0 (and Windows XP) reports the camera is online. I can operate the camera within PrEl 3.0 (i.e. play, stop, etc.) but I cannot capture any video. I have no problem when the camera is exporting HD, my only problem is when the DV-Lock is on.

Please help!

Thank you Jim

[Paul LS]

Jim, have you tried capturing with MovieMaker or WinDV to check that you have the DV cam settings correct. If you cant capture with them it could be your camcorder settings, if you can capture it is something with PE3.

[jimfallis04]

Hi Paul:

Thank you for your help. I hate to admit failure but I am not able to capture any footage without the camera in HD mode (PrEl 3.0, Movie Maker or Nero).

I am prepared to accept HD at this point, can you tell my panic level is increasing

I guess I have 2 questions. How do you successfully integrate widescreen HD footage with still pictures. If you have seen this edited successfully and seemlessly please let me know.

Alternatively, is there a project preset for HD at 4:3 (not 16:9). I am hoping for a workflow that does not need to be rendered.

Thank you Jim

[Paul LS]

The HDV standard is 16:9 so you will not find a 4:3 template. Regarding using photos in HD projects... I usually always include photos from my digital stills camera. Just un-select scale to frame (right click on the photo in the timeline) and then position it so it fills the 16:9 frame... you will lose the top and bottom from the photo, or you could pan over these cropped sections. I use 2272x1704 photos for the 1920x1080 HDV frame size.

Regarding your HV20 and capturing DV-AVI... is the output set to DV/WSDV Locked. Are you capturing into a widescreen DV NTSC project preset? And if you change any setting (certainly switching between modes) on your camcorder you will need to reboot your computer.

[Chuck Engels]

Instructions to set HV20 to down convert on capture from a friend of mine.

Hey Chuck. Put the camera in playback mode and go into the menu. He needs to turn the down covert option to "on".
Thanks,
Rich Fiallo
Director of Communications
Trinity Chapel

Hi Jim,
The instructions above say nothing about DV-Lock, do you need to have that turned on? Have you tried it without DV-Lock turned on?

[Chuck Engels]

Further instructions;

Hey Chuck,

1. Make sure the camera is in playback mode (not in the camera mode).

2. Make sure that the firewire cable is not connected (if it is connected, the down convert option will be grayed out)

3. Select the “DV Locked” option in the “DV Output” menu choice

This will take care of it. My assumption is that the camera is either in “camera mode” or that the firewire cable was already plugged in when he looked for the option.

Hope this helps.

[Don Whitten]

For all you considering the Canon HV20 cam here is a good forum that goes into detail about using the 24p mode on it. Looks interesting.

http://www.hv20.com/

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks Don

[Don Whitten]

No problem Chuck. Been looking at this cam but still not sure I want to dive into highdef yet. I like my Sony vx2100 tooo much.

[Judy]

You may want to wait a bit Judy, the "replacement/next model" for the HV20 is coming out in October.

Hi Everyone,

Well, I'm watching the Canon HV20 start to drop in price. Buy.com is selling it for $720 delivered (but I'm not sure it has a USA Warranty...Butterfly Photo is the vendor shipping it). Once again, I have the feeling there's a new one "just around the corner." I do like the idea of using the mini-DV tape for archival purposes...it's quick and easy in that sense, so I may pull the trigger on the HV20 shortly.

Before I do....

Does anyone know of any info on the successor to the HV20?

Judy

[Chuck Engels]

Paul must have heard something or read something, and there most likely is something coming, so waiting might be a good idea.
But, The HV20 is the top rated camcorder at camcorderinfo.com http://www.camcorderinfo.com/ratings.php
I have seen it, used it and think it is a really great camera. With prices getting so low it might be a good choice anyway.

If a new one comes out within 30 days you can probably return the HV20 in exchange for the new model. Just be sure you get it from somewhere that will honor the exchange if a new model is released in a certain amount of time.

Sometimes the newer models aren't as good as the previous ones and they often remove features. You know what the HV20 has and you know it is a great camera, why not just go for it