More thoughts on Canon

[Clayton]

Since I got back from Vacation, my Sony DVRTRV-38 is acting up. So.... I may be in the market for a new camera. Just a few questions about the Canon. I really haven't paid a lot of attention to the dicussions about them but have read them all. So my questions may seem a little naive.

1. Does the Cannon use the same mini-dv tapes I use in my Sony?

2. If my Sony does die, can I use a Canon to capture the videos I just recored on vacation? Along with that will my old tapes play in a Canon.

3. Does the HD show up as 16:9 in editing or can you select? I am not ready to edit in HD just yet.

[Steve Grisetti]

Yes, both that Sony miniDV and the Canon use the same tapes. (Assuming, of course, you're talking about the HDV Canon, like the HV30, since the AVCHD Canons don't use tape at all.)

But I'm not sure you can use an HDV camcorder to read miniDV video. You may need to borrow a miniDV (or pick up a cheap one -- they're going for under $150 on Amazon) to do that.

As for whether you can shoot in 4:3 HDV rather than 16:9, that's an excellent question ... and I wish I had an excellent answer for you. I'm sure an HDV expert will chime in soon with an answer for you though.

[Bobby]

Me no expert, but I believe that a Canon HDV camera using miniDV tapes will read tapes from another HDV miniDV. Some of the guys who work professionally and commonly take as input tapes from other people can probably answer better.

My Canon, HV30, always records in HDV. You can choose to set the camera to download DV-AVI (i.e. standard definition) or MPEG2 HD.

My workflow now works with MPEG2 HD only, and yes it is always 16:9 when I bring it in to PRE. Just FYI, I (as are a lot of people) am very happy with the HV30.

[jackfalbey]

My HV20 will record and play back both HDV and DV, and has settings for both 4:3 and 16:9. I assume the HV30 & 40 would also.

[Clayton]

My HV20 will record and play back both HDV and DV, and has settings for both 4:3 and 16:9. I assume the HV30 & 40 would also.

Jack will it play back DV tapes previously recorded with a Sony?

My Canon, HV30, always records in HDV. You can choose to set the camera to download DV-AVI (i.e. standard definition) or MPEG2 HD.

My workflow now works with MPEG2 HD only, and yes it is always 16:9 when I bring it in to PRE. Just FYI, I (as are a lot of people) am very happy with the HV30.

So if I am not ready to edit HD I can shoot in SD with the cannon or do you mean download it as SD. Is downloaded SD in 4:3?

[sidd finch]

Hi Clayton,

HDV is only recorded in 16x9 so you would have to convert the 16x9 to another size to play back if you dide not want 16x9. SD can be recorded in 16x9 or 4:3.

And, the HDV format works between brands in the same way that mini-DV (DV-AVI) works between brands.


Sidd

[Clayton]

And, the HDV format works between brands in the same way that mini-DV (DV-AVI) works between brands.


Sidd

What I am still concerned about is all my tapes are SD (this is a 6 year old Sony). So will a HDV camera playback non-hd tapes?

[Bobby]

...My HV20 will record and play back both HDV and DV...

Jack, I thought the HVxx units always recorded in HDV and HDV was always HD resolution, and would just downconvert in-camera to DV-AVI if you wish. Can it actually record miniDV format?

[Gerlinde]

What I am still concerned about is all my tapes are SD (this is a 6 year old Sony). So will a HDV camera playback non-hd tapes?

Yes, Clayton, it will do that.

I have a Canon HV30 and have just recently captured from a SD tape recorded with a JVC camera. I did not even have to change any settings, the camera recognized automatically that the tape is in standard resolution.

But it is possible that you will see some artifacts when using your old tapes in your new camera, just as you would see, playing back a video tape in a different recorder as it was recorded in.

In my case the footage looked really good and I had no complains.

Gerlinde

[jackfalbey]

Jack, I thought the HVxx units always recorded in HDV and HDV was always HD resolution, and would just downconvert in-camera to DV-AVI if you wish. Can it actually record miniDV format?

My HV20 has 4 record modes:

HDV
HDV (PF24)
DV Wide
DV Normal

So, yes, it will record standard DV in both 4:3 and 16:9.

[Bobby]

Hmmm, Jack - I guess I never looked...

[Clayton]

Thanks for the info Gerlinde, Jack and Bobby. My camera still wont work. I sent the error message to Sony and they said it was a power proble and to remove the battery for awhile and try again. I have tried it repeatedly without success. They said if this didn't work it needed to be sent in. They gave me a flat rate estimate of $291.00. Thats almost 1/2 the price of the new cannon. Time to start looking..... Oh well my wife bought a $1200 watch on the recent trip so.........

[Chuck Engels]

Hmmm, Jack - I guess I never looked...

I think most people will record in HDV and then down sample on capture if they want SD.
Not too many will probably use the HV20... to record in SD to start with. Might as well have the HDV footage to save for when you can use it

[Clayton]

Well, I went ahead and purchased a Sony DCR-HC52 ($230) at Amazon. It appears better thn my 6 year old one. It will serve my needs for now as I sit back and see which way the market goes. I looked at the HV30 (Discontinued at B&H, 1199.95 at Amazon) and the HV40 (777.80 at Amazon , 799.00 at B&H). Decided to go with the Sony as my funds were about depleted after the trip. Thanks for the help and I will be watching for the future.

EDIT: Boy since I looked at Amazon this morning the price of the HV40 has increased from $777.80 to $899.00, while B&H price remains the same.