Need info on new technology

[PaulC]

I have always used minidv for various reasons so have had no reason to check the new formats. A couple of years ago I left a Canon vixia hv30 in for cleaning to best buy, I had extended warranty and they recommended doing this. It seemed like a good idea until they called me to say the camera was beyond repair and would be replaced. It took a lot of arguing but I finally got a vixia hv40. I'm off to Madagascar in September so I left the camera in for a check up, stressing to the geek that it was working and just needed cleaning, and once again they say it is damaged beyond repair. I doubt I'll get a minidv camera out of them this time so I'd like to get an idea of what I should insist on before going to them. I really need 'real manual focus', not through the lcd. I film birds mostly and I need to focus on the fly and can't do this using the lcd. Otherwise I just want something of similar quality to the vixia. I'd also like to know if anyone else has had this experience with best buy. It seems like a scam, but I can't figure out how. Thanks.

[Steve Grisetti]

That is pretty suspicious, Paul! Maybe they're trying to get you away from tape-based technology.

If it were me, I'd hold out for another HDV tape-based camcorder. (And then I'd quit taking my cams to Best Buy for maintenance.)

But AVCHD is becoming the new standard for hi-def video editing. With your computer, you should be able to edit it with no problems. (Though I might invest in an upgrade to Windows 7.) The current version (v9) of Premiere Elements handles AVCHD much more efficiently than previous versions. And maintenance should go easier, since you no longer have a tape transport system to deal with.

Canon makes some excellent AVCHD cams. You should be able to get a hard disk cam comparable to your HV40. (Have a look at the HF40.)

[George Tyndall]

That is pretty suspicious, Paul!

That was my reaction, too.

My thought was that perhaps someone at BB wanted his HV40 because the unit is no longer available, however, I just checked B&H. It's still available, and for only $649, which given the decline of the dollar since the time the unit was selling for a lot more, is an amazing price.

[jackfalbey]

For bird videos, I'd recommend a video-capable DSLR... you'll get top-quality HD video and have the option of a wide variety of lenses to fit any given situation. Good models to look at are the Canon T2i and T3i, Panasonic Lumix GH2 (or other G-series), and Nikon D3100 & D5100. If you already have SLR lenses for a particular brand, that will make the decision easier. If not, I like the Pannys because with the Micro-Four-Thirds system you can get an adapter for old manual-focus Canon FD lenses which are plentiful & cheap these days.

[slushparlor1]

Hi,

I felt this way a few years ago when my ipod battery died and I couldn't hear out of one of the earphones. Apple wanted to take it and give me 10% off a new one - gee thanks. I looked around and found: http://www.ipodjuice.com/. They installed a battery and fixed the headphones for well less than I would have paid for another one. I'm still using the ipod. People are so quick to give up on old technology. I'm not saying moving ahead isn't great, but spending money that you don't need too is foolish. But then again I don't own a flat panel t.v. either My 27inch Sony is still going strong :0

[PaulC]

thanks for all the replies. I looked at the mf40 but it does not have a view finder or a manual focus ring. I'm surprised at how hard it is to find a camcorder with a view finder or a manual focus ring. So far the only camcorder I've found with a manual focus ring is the Canon Vixia HF G10, and I can't see bb giving me that. If there are others out there they are not advertising the fact. Well, back to the search, thanks again for the input.

[PaulC]

I ended up with a Canon Vixia HF M41. I'm very pleased with it but it seems PE4 does not recognize the avchd files. I guess I will have to get new editing software. I presume I will have to make sure the software can deal with 24p and 30p if I shoot in this format. For both of these formats Canon says it records at 60i, I read a little on this in the Video Editor forum and I suspect I'll need to do some more research before I buy any software.

[Paul LS]

Yes, I dont think PE4 supported AVCHD format, the latest versions of Premiere Elements do.

[Chuck Engels]

Version 9 will handle the files but they will probably be coming out with version 10 in the next 60 days if they continue the same pattern. Might want to hold off if you can.

[Kerrie]

Great to find this post. I just got the canon vixia HF R21. I figured my PrE 4 would not be able to handle the editing. I am going to wait for PrE 10. Can't wait to see the reviews on it.

[Barb O]

Hi Kerrie,

FYI - concerning your new video camcorder, I suggest that you look at my thread because the Canon VIXIA camcorder that I recently purchased probably has similarities to yours.

viewtopic.php?f=89&t=9881&p=86631#p86631

So far, I have only displayed a few short video scenes direct from my camcorder to TV via an HDMI cable. But I do intend to try Steve's suggestion of Quicktime as a temporary approach.

Barb