HD Camcorders

[Pat H]

Didn't know where exactly to post this, so HT can suffice I guess lol.

I'm looking to buy an HDV camcorder because I decided it was time to dump the old SD miniDV cam in favor of something that would actually take advantage of HDTVs. I looked into AVCHD models (MPEG 4 as opposed to MPEG 2) but the AVC has a bad reputation for motion artifacts. So I decided an HDV model would be the best at this point, since it's also easier to capture for editing.

Currently I'm looking at the Canon HV20 because it offers true 1080i recording through the CMOS chip and also has a 24p pulldown mode ( !) which allows it to record in the frame rate of film with cinegamma settings. It also has a hotshoe for an external mic and is priced at about $1000. I've also seen some great footage from it through various websites. I was wondering before I buy if anyone has had any good experience with this cam (or others, and if so, what do they offer over the HV20 for a similar price point?). I have a bad reputation for buyer's regret so I want to make sure I make the right decision.

Here's the link to the camera - http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm

[onavarr8]

I dont know alot of info on many HD camcorders but I have been looking at a few and I have always liked this one.
I dont actually own it but would like to get it sometime. It looks nice and professional:

http://www.amazon.com/JVC-GZHD7-Defi...1116252&sr=8-1

Plus it has a 60GB harddrive which is good....

[Pat H]

Originally Posted by onavarr8

I dont know alot of info on many HD camcorders but I have been looking at a few and I have always liked this one.
I dont actually own it but would like to get it sometime. It looks nice and professional:

http://www.amazon.com/JVC-GZHD7-Defi...1116252&sr=8-1

Plus it has a 60GB harddrive which is good....

I looked into that one as well but was put off by the AVCHD compression it uses. Almost all the pros will tell you HDV is light years ahead of AVC right now, even though AVC still has room for growth.

Also, some sites I looked at weren't crazy about PQ or the optical image stabilization. CNET gave it a 6.3. http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-camc...tag=prod.txt.1

[illegalprelude]

Sony FX1 for me.

[mick2006]

I own an HV20 and the quality is fantastic. I have never seen the quality of AVCHD cameras, but the picture quality of the HV20 blew me away. The only gripe I would have is that it is tape instead of disc or hard drive, but still worth the compromise and it's cheaper than disc or hard drive. One thing to note is that Canon is coming out soon with an AVCHD camcorder. I am very interested to see the reviews of the AVCHD from Canon vs. Sony and Panasonic. I am guessing that Canon will come out ahead based on their reputation for putting great quality products out there.

[MrE]

This is the one I'm interested in
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=1 3051&itemId=93120&catGroupId=34401&surfModel=AG-HVX200

[Pat H]

Originally Posted by MrENGLISH

This is the one I'm interested in
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?displayTab=O&storeId=11201&catalogId=1 3051&itemId=93120&catGroupId=34401&surfModel=AG-HVX200

Heh, I would love the hvx200 (loved it since it came out), but $6000 for a camcorder?...no.

[MrE]

Originally Posted by Pat H

Heh, I would love the hvx200 (loved it since it came out), but $6000 for a camcorder?...no.

Guess my interest in it is different than yours. I am not wanting it to make home movies so to me $6K for a pro camcorder is cheap!

[Pat H]

Originally Posted by MrENGLISH

Guess my interest in it is different than yours. I am not wanting it to make home movies so to me $6K for a pro camcorder is cheap!

Well I won't settle for something that doesn't have a decent feature set and some manual control, so I would never buy a $200 camcorder and expect it to fill my needs, which are slightly more involved than home movies btw lol. But since my freelance work doesn't really involve too much shooting of top-notch footage (I'm mostly into editing other people's content, not shooting it myself), I don't really have a need for a pro-line camcorder. But I am also considering the "prosumer" Sony HVR-A1U, which is around $2100 and has XLR inputs as well as full manual control. The only thing is it's a 1 chip, but it's a CMOS, which is more efficient than a CCD anyway.

I'll have to really think it over. The HV20 may be a consumer model and offer a few less manual controls than the A1U, but it also offers more in the way of recording modes (the A1U is 1080i only) and also had a single CMOS, not to mention it's $1000 cheaper.

[Philnerd]

Originally Posted by Pat H

But I am also considering the "prosumer" Sony HVR-A1U, which is around $2100 and has XLR inputs as well as full manual control. The only thing is it's a 1 chip, but it's a CMOS, which is more efficient than a CCD anyway.

Well, if you're thinking of tossing over 2K at a camcorder, I HIGHLY recommend you sacrafice an extra grand and get the Canon XH-A1.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Camcorder.html

If the A1 is too much, then I'd recommend sticking with the HV20 for now. The 1.5-2.5K middle ground tends to be either outperformed by the HV20 or gets awfully close pricewise to the A1 which absolutely skunks anything less expensive than it, and arguably some cameras costing more.


AVC has been a let down as far as I'm concerned. Yes, its got the potential to snuff out HDV, but with the low bitrates and so-so real time encoders I've yet to see AVC footage that rivals HDV footage from cams like the HV10 and HV20. The fact that HDV is generally supported by all editing applications doesn't hurt either.

[Bruuce]

I have the HDR-SR1 from Sony. It's an AVCHD camcorder. I've only shot two scenes with it, between 15 minutes to 30 minutes in length and the only problems I have with it are the sound and the indoor shots.

I shot a baptismal in a cathedral and the echo really carried over to the footage I shot. I suppose I could blame the echoing in the church and not the camera but the other time I shot outdoors and I could hear birds chirping away pretty loud even though when I was outside shooting, I could barely hear them. Maybe I wasn't paying attention to them, /shrug.

The indoor shots really have to be well lit. And this is something that I imagine will need to be done with any camcorder, correct me if I'm wrong. Whenever I shoot inside my house, you can see noise in the image.

Those are my only gripes. I bought it at JR.com and the salesperson who sold it to me said I have 30 days to send it back if I don't like it as long as I keep all the stuff it came with and there won't be a restocking fee either. So, in the end, I'm not too happy with it but it has a hard drive and it's the cheapest one JR.com sells. I could buy from another company but if I'm not satisfied with it I'd probably have to pay the restocking fee if I return it which I do not want to do over and over again.

[MrE]

Pat H

check your PM box

[TaiwaneSTUD]

i have the new 60G sony SR7...

so far so good.

[morphinapg]

I'm thinking about getting the Sony HVR-V1U. It does 1080p24 which is something I really want.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HVR-V1U-P...3997836&sr=8-1

I've been saving since like march and will be for a couple more months still.

[Xyz123]

Originally Posted by TaiwaneSTUD

i have the new 60G sony SR7...

so far so good.

That's the one I've been eyeing. It's in my Amazon cart but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.