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pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3061

Is due out in April some time. From what I've seen in early discussion it's supposed to have overcome the noise issues of the HV10. Apparently by using some sort of noise reduction feature rather than improved hardware/firmware.

And importantly, at least in my opinion, it uses mini DV tape. Advantages are apparently that;

It's a cheap long term storage media
It doesn't use compression like the hard drive based camcorders

Tapes only give an hour each but it's easy to replace a tape and although the HD camcorders have 30GB of HD, if it's full then you are out of space until you download your stuff and erase it again.

Apparently you can get around 30 hours on the HD camcorders however, uncompressed video uses about 13GB per hour. DO the maths and that's a hefty amount of compression.

Oh and it's only going to cost around £799.00 which is pretty good I think. It does this thing called cinema mode which is supposed to be an advantage?

And it is true 1920 x 1080 progressive HD which is also good apparently. They've improved the low light capability down to 3 lux from 5 on the HV10.

I still have a couple of questions

How is it that HD can store 13GB (1 hour) of video on the same tapes that SD mini DV uses? Either SD is very inneficicent. Or maybe I have it wrong. So are they the same tapes? I ask because according to some revoews it is, however, some shops are charging upwards of £15.00 for a tape that the HV20 uses. Are they pulling a fast one?

Anyway, I am sorely tempted to get one. So much so that I feel using my current SD is a waste of time.

Anyway, comments appreciated.

larshalbauer · Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 131

I also think about this two new camcorders from jvc and panasonic

JVC HD Everio GZ-HD7
and
Panasonic HDC-SD1EG-S

Everything seems like that in the near future they want to replace the mini dv tapes. This two new ones also offer already 3ccd.

What will be the best for the next one or two years.

Canon or Panasonic or JVC or maybe sony?

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3061

I think I'm going with the Canon HV20. I don't think tape is dead quite yet and it offers many advantages over HD.

It may be slower to transfer but I like the idea of removable storage. Once SD cards are up to a decent size and fast enough to capture uncompressed data then that would be ideal. Until then I think I'll stick with tape, it'll still be around a few years yet I would think, especially as Canon are still producing tape based cameras.

varius · Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:08 pm

I have high hopes for the HV20 as well, but I'll wait atleast for the first practical reviews. I have found a shop close to my home that will let me borrow any camcorder for a decent price - and if I buy it, I don't have to pay for renting it first. Nice deal.

larshalbauer · Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 131

Ok Varius, test it for us and let us know...(-:

Lars

pixelgirl · Joined: 22 Nov 2006 Posts: 24

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3061

One of the questions I asked was how is it possible that minDV tapes are able to give the sme recording time on SD machines as they do on HD.

Is it because the tapes are better specified than they need to be for SD or do you need to buy HD specific tapes?

varius · Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:37 pm

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3061

Ah I see. Like the difference between CD and DVD.

Have you noticed that some places are selling what they call HD tapes? As much as £18.00 per tape but according to what I've seen and heard, 'normal' miniDV tapes 3 for £10.00 are just as suitable.

Time will tell.

despain · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 155

Well I broke down and ordered a HV20 today. Read lots of great hands-on reviews so decided to jump in and give it a try. Great price too, $900 new US Warantee with shipping and tax through military BX. Now the long wait to receive it starts.

pjmorley · Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 3061

It's due out on 17th April in UK I believe. I almost pre-ordered one but am using every ounce of willpower I have not to just yet. ;-)

It costs £799 or thereabouts here which equates to around $1750.00. What rip off but that's the UK for ya.

despain · Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 155

Pete Bax · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 1238 Location: Brighton England

I believe the HV20 will do either NTSC or Pal if you know how to set it up. It will convert in priemer elements if not. I think it is a great dodge of Cannon
sell you a camera with NTSC on it 1000 dollars
same camera with Pal on it 2000 dollars. No wonder they call them Jolly old Pals????
No, tapes, cards, or battery charger, in the HV20 pack
tight b......Pete

imv · Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 330

Hello
I'm not sure that this reply will help but two months ago I bought a camcoder the similar one to the one you have told about in this topic, but the sony version, I´m very happy with it, because it was an "old" model, because it works with cassette they sold it for 900€.
Maybe you waste a little time in the download of the origilal video to the pc, but you could keep the cassettes allways with the original versions.
Is a good idea to have a cassette camcorder, nice piece of technology.....

Regard and good luck with sales
;)

Pete Bax · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 1238 Location: Brighton England

Now I have the camera it will allow you to do either
Pal or NTSC you just plug it into the tele and it works. I bought the USA model and it works on pal perfectly. Appartently there is no difference between the way it records for either. The main difference is the frame rate and display size but they are both the
same mathmatically. I am set up for Pal but a good converter can use the recorded information to do both
it is a comman misunderstanding plus bad converters
that one is better than the other, but the recording is the same for both. Pete