[Google eye]

I am thinking of purchasing the Canon HV20?

I curently have a MVX450 which is a good mini DV cam.

If I was to upgrade obviously the price of the HV20 is a lot more then my MVX450.

What is the difference, I understand I can still use mini DV tape . I have'nt yet brought a HD TV yet. Can I still operate the HV20 like a normal mini DV cam i.e use a firewire cable to my DVD recorder?

Plus is the low light performance better then my MVX450?
I gather it would be because of the price.

I hear that the video quality is superb.
I hear that the lens is a good size too.

I'll also wait for the easter sales and see if the price will come down.

Dave

[redsox_mark]

What is the difference, I understand I can still use mini DV tape . I have'nt yet brought a HD TV yet. Can I still operate the HV20 like a normal mini DV cam i.e use a firewire cable to my DVD recorder?

Yes you can, in standard definition. The camcorder can convert, so you can shoot HDV, but downconvert to DV and record via Firewire.

Plus is the low light performance better then my MVX450?
I gather it would be because of the price.

You are getting high definition. The low light performance is also good, especially in progressive mode.

I hear that the video quality is superb.
I hear that the lens is a good size too.

Yes, it's probably the best video quality you can get under £1000. (apart from the HV30, which is very similar).

[Monopot]

Have to agree, I bought a HV20 last year and took it on 2 vacations so far.

Picture quality is astounding when played through the camera over HDMI. It really is good, much better than I thought it would be.

Its a little heavier than my old Sony PC101 Mini DV cam, but the quality of footage it kicks out is simply superb.

I use regular Sony Premium MiniDV tapes for HD footage and haven't had a problem yet.

Main reason I went the MiniDV media route and not the flash based AVCHD format is cost and archiving. I got a box of 20 tapes for £18, but a single 8gb card to store equivalent of 1 tape was £42 at the time. Plus I then had to archive it, and with a tape I don't have any of these problems.

Well chuffed so far!

[senu]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

I hear that the video quality is superb.
I hear that the lens is a good size too.

Yes, it's probably the best video quality you can get under £1000. (apart from the HV30, which is very similar).

I dont think the video on the HV 30 is different at all , but I agree with that comment. The HV30 has a "fixed " viewfinder,( not retractable) comes in black and has ( arguably) better build quality than the HV 20
Is it worth the difference.?? . not so sure really.