Canon HV20

boletje · 20-03-2008, 8:55 AM

Good Morning all,

Just purchased my first camcorder yesterday, a Canon HV20. Will be using it for my holidays but mainly for a banger rally which I'll be going on soon.

Now, i'm no expert on cameras/camcorders etc, but filming is something ive been getting into recently. Think I used my old camcorder in the ;ast 5-7 months then i did the 3 or 4 years since i'd bought it.

Just curious as to whether cameras really are..HD? i'll be driving through the alps so to get some HD footage that I can send to my folks. Not sure which media would be best suited to HD though.

cheers

**senu** · 20-03-2008, 9:09 AM

Im a little puzzled by your question
When you purchased the HV20 what was your understanding of "HD"
Clearly the HV20s box ( and Body) are full of Logos talking about High definition recording

As for how you send the folks the footage; I would be keen to know your understanding first
Note that you can Use the HV20 as a "normal " SD camcorder or even shoot in High definition but still Make SD DVDs ect from it

boletje · 20-03-2008, 9:19 AM

apologies i should of explained it a bit more clearly...

Basically just wondering if it was possible to shoot HD content...and playback the HD content on the TV.. either via the camcorder it's self or another type of media

**senu** · 20-03-2008, 9:49 AM

Absolutely: if you shoot in HD ( no reason why you should not)
You can play back on an HDTV with HDMI or component right away as HD
Only if you use composite

( or s-video) will you get SD

Similarly if you capture to a PC you can watch it off the HDD as HDV ( which is an mpeg2 high definition file)
It differs to DV AVI ( from SD) in pixel size though encoding bitrate is actually the same at 25mps
It differs from SD Mpeg2 both in pixel size and encoding bitrate
HDV mpeg2 files are transport stream and have the suffix *.m2t

HDV content can be used to make "normal" DVDs either by conversion on the PC after capture
or by recording as Hi def, but capturing by firewire as SD ( the camera downconverts "on the fly") leaving the hi def content on tape intact

To watch it on the TV ( apart from using the camera
You could stream it off a PC
Make mini HD DVD discs, (If you have an HD DVD player) or AVCHD discs ( if you have a Blu ray player) from ordinary DVD discs
If you have a PS3 , it will play the m2t files natively
There are media streamer devices ( like Popcornhour :Used and loved by rhubarbe on here ) and other devices which you can play back Hi def footage to TV on without needing to use the camcorder

boletje · 20-03-2008, 10:04 AM

great cheers for the info!

was planning on using my Macbook Pro and iMovie. but then wanted to take the HD clips, put them on a DVD and send them on to whoever. Already got 3 or 4 people requesting copies of our little trip.

but ty for the info. was a huge help

**senu** · 20-03-2008, 10:18 AM

No worries

The Hi def files will play on any computer if you burn them to a data disc
Watching them on TV as Hi def without the camcorder ( if you dont have a PS3) is a little more challenging

Coastline · 20-03-2008, 10:28 AM

Senu - thanks you just answered a load of questions I had about the HV20.

But could you elaborate a little on making mini HD-DVD discs from normal DVD discs.

I've absolutely no experience of CamCorders but have been ordered to buy one for my Honeymoon by my Bridezilla - Who am I to argue

The HV20 is top of my list so far...

Thanks

P.S. Boletje hope you don't mind me adding a question to your thread. I'd be interested to know how you get on with the HV20.

**senu** · 20-03-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coastline

Senu - thanks you just answered a load of questions I had about the HV20.

But could you elaborate a little on making mini HD-DVD discs from normal DVD discs.

.

No worries
The idea is that you use Software like UleadVS11.5, Movie Factory 5 (6 plus is better) or Pinnacle Studio 11 plus ( ultimate ect) 10 plus too but 11 is better)
What they do is "author" an HD DVD structure onto a normal DVD disc using the HDV files
The problems
If you shoot on a PAL HDV , it will have to be transcoded to 60 i from 50i as Hd DVD never supported 50i
Transcoding from 50 to 60 degrades IQ

You only get 20 mins
Not all HD DVD players readily recognise all the mini HD DVD discs so produced

But a simple answer is that it is a software thing . I suggest you download a trial of the Ulead titles ( if you wish) and get some HDV footage and have a play

It would seem anecdotally that making an "AVCHD disc" ( BD equivalent of min HD DVD) is more straight forward and more universally readable by BD players

Coastline · 20-03-2008, 11:01 AM

Thanks for that - shame about the 50i to 60i reducing PQ is it a noticable reduction without a side by side comparison?

**senu** · 20-03-2008, 11:38 AM

I think ( once again) that it is software dependent. you may not notice without a side/side comparison but if you play the camcorder via TV you just might

boletje · 20-03-2008, 11:46 AM

not at all mate. I'd be quite interested aswell to find out a bit more about that aswell.

**senu** · 20-03-2008, 12:31 PM

To be honest. I would love hassle free mini HD DVD creation as HD DVD players are now going for a song and are actually quite good( upscaling) DVD players too, and ( if you can get HD DVD discs) great HD players
I would not worry too much about the 50/60i issue. I suspect you will be making discs for BD for far longer TBH

Google eye · 25-03-2008, 10:07 PM

Hi Guys

Just seen some amazing footage of the HV20 thru gumtree.com they have a guy selling one at £300 .

The colours and clarity are fab and even on a rainy day they have some footage of this young guy walking in the rain at 24p.
Here are the clips.

http://www.vimeo.com/431500

&
http://vimeo.com/401533

What do you think?

I will definatly save up for one.

Dave

**senu** · 25-03-2008, 10:15 PM

There is no doubting the footage of the HV 20

There is
a lot regarding the reliability of gumtree as a reliable trustworthy place to buy.. I would not

Dutch · 26-03-2008, 4:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senu

If you shoot on a PAL HDV , it will have to be transcoded to 60 i from 50i as HD DVD never supported 50i
Transcoding from 50 to 60 degrades IQ

You will be pleased to know that from firmware v2.8 Toshiba HD-E1, EP10 and XE1 players can finally now playback 50Hz HD material.

Steve

**senu** · 26-03-2008, 4:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

You will be pleased to know that from firmware v2.8 Toshiba HD-E1, EP10 and XE1 players can finally now playback 50Hz HD material.

Steve

Thanks for that ( Maybe ill grab one while they can still be found!!)

I am but HD DVD has unfortunately been "strangled" by BD!! Toshiba have really let the side down big time!!