Canon HV10 or Panasonic HDC-SD1?

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 5:20 PM

Hi guys,
Can I ask for some help.
I am off to LA on wednesday. Had a look on Craiglist for a camcorder. There are 2 available that I think would do nicely.
What would you recommend.
Canon HV10 or Panasonic HDC-SD1?
Both are on at 500 usd.
Thanks.
Matt

rhubarbe · 14-10-2007, 8:08 PM

Well, some of use would recommend the HV10, and then again, some of us would recommend the SD1.

What's your motivation for this scene?

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 8:19 PM

We will be on a cruise ship for 15 days, filming indoors, but in good light, but not natural.
We will then be flying over an island in Hawaii in a helicopter.
I have never used a camcorder before, so would like something fairly easy to use.
I am not afraid to read the instructions, and I am willing to try out features. And will have 5 days before getting to Hawaii, so time to practice.
thanks.
Matt

**senu** · 14-10-2007, 9:22 PM

These camcorder both shoot in high definition.

Beyond that they are different. One uses Tape and records in HDV
The other shoots to a Memory card in AVCHD
These are different formats..
Both will take video in good ( not poor ) light and will be simple to use

With the HV 10, youll need to stock up on tapes,
With the SD1 youll need more then one card, or somewhere to download to

With both youll need an extra battery for your trip

Because they are not quite "like for like" comparison beyond this is
a
AVCHD vs HDV
or
Tape Vs media card
query

The instructions tell you what the features are and how to access them.. not how to do videography properly

As such ,as for never using a camcorder before.. 3 simple rules apply
Keep still
Keep quiet
and
Dont Zoom in , and out in the same shot

Rapid movt or panning looks ..urgh!!
You can do a voice over in software . don't do one onto the footage

Zooming in, or out (once) is OK more than once or doing both on the same shot looks awful

However, break the rules if you must.. Editing later often tidies thing up: just think of the video as a series of video "snapshots" to be joined up later during editng, snipping out the naff bits

rhubarbe · 14-10-2007, 9:28 PM

You do appreciate that the two formats are entirely different?

HV10 is an HDV cam that records to tape.

HDC-SD1 records to SDHC cards.

If it's video quality that is your most important factor then go for the HV10.

If you will want to edit your footage then go for the HV10.

If you don't have a powerful PC go for an HV10.

If you like the convenience of just taking the SDHC card out of the cam and slotting it into your PC to offload the clips, then you might want to look more at the SD1.

They also have a different form factro: SD1 is traditional handycan format and the HV10 is an upright that you might not find comfortable.

Having said all that I had an HV10 and found the motor noisy (it wasn't in fact, it was just that I was used to card based cams that make no noise) so I sent it back, and after a lot of false starts I ended up with an HDC-SD7. Nice, compact cam that shoots AVCHD just like the SD1, but in low light it's necessary to learn how to use the manual controls. And you get motion trails with the AVCHD video that you don't get with the m2t from the HV10.

If you want to film fast moving action you'd be better with the HV10 (or another HDV cam) but if it's just for scenery and people who don't move so much then AVCHD is fine.

rhubarbe · 14-10-2007, 9:29 PM

If I'd known you were on the same shift, senu, I'd have saved my typing fingers.

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 9:35 PM

Thanks guys,
Great info as usual.
I will ring both vendors in LA, and see who is willing to meet me.
That might make the decision for me.
It's great that these are so alike and yet so different.
Both should suit my needs from your descriptions.
Great tip about the zoom, and the voice over.
Thanks.
Matt

**senu** · 14-10-2007, 9:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

If I'd known you were on the same shift, senu, I'd have saved my typing fingers.

Im sure the OP will find both posts handy

**senu** · 14-10-2007, 9:51 PM

Just a few issues
Will a US purchased camcorder be under warranty here?

NTSC/PAL isnt a problem with high def. it may be with standard def.. or if your camcorder ( if tape) needs replacing with a Uk (PAL) model. The tapes recorded with an NTSC model will not play on it

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 10:37 PM

I think that if I do need to replace in the future. It would probably be to HD. And possibly from the USA if the price is better.

Good pointers though.
Keep them coming, it all helps.
As you said, both posts were helpful.
Matt

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 10:46 PM

I have asked the guy for the HDC-SD1. He has said there are 2 in front of me, but if they don't buy then it's mine.
Fingers crossed.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pho/448272766.html
If you are interested at all in where it is coming from. Here is the link to Craiglist.
Seems to be big in the US.

rhubarbe · 14-10-2007, 10:47 PM

What do you mean by HD?

glesgaguyav · 14-10-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattOsprey

I have asked the guy for the HDC-SD1. He has said there are 2 in front of me, but if they don't buy then it's mine.
Fingers crossed.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pho/448272766.html
If you are interested at all in where it is coming from. Here is the link to Craiglist.
Seems to be big in the US.

YOU WILL HAVE NO WARRANTY IF BUY IN THE US FOR USE IN THE UK

Sorry but it's my Hobby Horse (learned through experience

)

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

What do you mean by HD?

High Definition.
Therefore not requiring NTSC or Pal.
At least that is my take on things.
Please feel free to correct me.

MattOsprey · 14-10-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glesgaguyav

YOU WILL HAVE NO WARRANTY IF BUY IN THE US FOR USE IN THE UK

Sorry but it's my Hobby Horse (learned through experience

)

I will have a warranty. I will just have to use it in the USA.

That said, it is 1 month old, with no probs showing. If there were the owner could have used the warranty.
So that means I would have 11 months left on a UK warranty.
So how many camcorders that don't develop a fault in their first couple of uses, then develop one before a year is up?
This isn't me being facetious, I really would be interested.
As I have said though, it wouldn't be that hard to have any repair done in the USA. As we have relatives there. And I will get the warranty transfered to their address. Thank you for reminding me of this.
Again any replies are helpful.
Matt

**senu** · 15-10-2007, 8:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattOsprey

So how many camcorders that don't develop a fault in their first couple of uses, then develop one before a year is up?
This isn't me being facetious, I really would be interested.

Surprisingly more than you'd think, certainly depending on amount of use.. It may just be a QC thing but you wouldnt want to be the recipient of a camcorder which needed fixing in the US unless your use of it is suitably infrequent

The issue of PAL/NTSC is raised because , although you would want to shoot HD.. its slow takeoff in the domestic playback market might mean you would make SD DVDs for sharing by using an in-camera down conversion: then it would be an issue
You can convert NTSC to PAL but if this would be frequent, maybe PAL would be better in the first instance. Still if there is no SD in the horizon.. it really makes no difference

rhubarbe · 15-10-2007, 10:25 AM

Probably more likely fault with the HV10 than the SD1, though, since the SD1 has no moving parts, so less to go wrong.

Beware Sod's Law, though.

MattOsprey · 15-10-2007, 1:20 PM

Hi guys.
With the SD1 I believe I would need a Blu-Ray player.
Is there any way around this?
Thanks.
Matt

redsox_mark · 15-10-2007, 2:43 PM

No, you don't need a Blu-Ray player if you have a SD1.

Take a look at Rhubarbe's post in another thread
Panasonic HDC-SD5 ?? HD or not??

With either camcorder, if you want to play from something other than the camcorder itself in High Def, you need some device which will play it - a PC, a media player, a PS3, HD-DVD player, Blu-ray player....

MattOsprey · 18-10-2007, 11:15 PM

Hi guys,
I am in LA. I have missed the SD1, but the HV10 is available.
I am trying to arrange a meet with the guy in the next couple of hours.
Is there anything I should look for?
Thanks.
Matt