HV30 or Sony Handycam HDR-CX7?

[Teap]

I'm really torn here. The thing I like about the HV30 is the excellent video quality and the fact that it can record to miniDVs as well as the SD card. It also has the 24p mode and easy to use manual focus. However, the Handycam has 5.1 surround sound recording and records at 1080p (while the HV30 records at 1080i).

I also have a couple of questions. Is there any way to make the HV30 record at 1080p? And about how much footage can I record onto a miniDV at the highest resolution? Thank you all in advance for your help. If there is any other additional information I should know about either camera please inform me.

[orchidsofwrath]

I think it depends what you want to do with your camera.
The CX7 is nice because it records to that card and theres no tapes involved, and it also has really really good image stabilization. Probably superior to the HV30's. but i'm not sure what you mean by it records in 1080p. I did some quick research and it doesn't appear to be a progressive scan camera. If you wanted to make movies i'd definetally go for the hv30 because the cx7 doesn't have 24p and doesn't have control over the shutter speed. In fact its lacking quite a few manual controls.
Now about that 5.1 surround... thats pretty useless on a camera like this in my opinion. It will all sound very home video coming from that onboard mic anyway so whats the point. Not to mention a pro 5.1 mix isn't recorded all in one shot its mixed that way by proffessional audio engineers in post production. So chances are you won't here much difference if you have a 5.1 system. Thats just my opinion though.
As for the Hv30 recording in 1080i... It has that option. But you said yourself it records in 24p as well. 24p means 24 fps progressive scan, therefore its NOT 1080i. HV30 also has a larger sensor which means shallower DOF. Not to mention manual apature, shutter, and zebra stripes. So if your goin' for the film look hv30 is definetally the right choice.
If you want a camera for capturing events then maybe the awsome image stabilization and the convenience of the SD card is worth the lack of manual control and the smaller sensor. To be honest though imo its not. Plus the CX7 is 300 bucks more.
As for the hdv tapes, you typically get 60-80 minutes, but their dirt cheap so time usually isn't an issue. (i get them for like 3 bucks each)

[Teap]

Thank you so much for your response! I'm probably going to go with the HV30. The 5.1 Surround Sound seemed really cool but I suppose you're right in that it's a bit pointless.

Can you direct me to somewhere where I can learn about getting sound equipment for cheap and how to mix it? I'm more of a visual effects person but I want some decent sound in my videos too, so something not too complicated would be nice.

[orchidsofwrath]

thats so funny because i too am totally a VFX guy. (well not yet but its what i want to make my career into. i'm workin on it)
I only bought an HV20 to make movies... and i only make movies because I want some real life applicable VFX shots to practice on in context. (don't get me wrong though i do enjoy making movies too)
Anyhow, are you lookin' to make movies? If your not then the onboard stuff will probably do just fine. If you want to do narratives I'd recomend 3 things:

1. shotgun mic
here are some good ones i recomend for low budget:
Azden SGM-1x 150$
Azden SGM-2x 200$
Audio-Technica AT875 200$
Rode NTG1 250$

2. boom pole:
These are kind of hard to find cheap. You can make one, or try searching the web for a good deal. I got mine at adorama.com for blow-out price. 50$ Their usually pricier than that but you can find something if you do your research. BHphotovideo.com has some in the 100$ range.

3. some type of adapter/preamp
You can use a couple of things for preamplification. I don't recomend going directly into the mini jack on the HV30 with a converter because that will give you buzz if the cord is too long due to some crazy technical electrical resistance. You should have some preamp or adapter that will take a strait XLR (which is what all the mics i recomended to you use.) I know beachtek makes the DXA-4 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/136397-REG/Beachtek_DXA4_DXA_4_Audio_Adapter.html) which will run you 170$ and that will do.
I myself actually use a battery powered mixer more designed for live music (behringer's ubb1002 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-Eurorack-UBB1002-10Input-Mixer?sku=631257). Its a better solution because its 100$ AND it has nice preamps. But you run through 9-volts and its more complicated. Also its big but i make the sacrifice.

Anyhow bottom line is for good movie audio your lookin' at around 400$. There are shotguns mics that go strait to mini jack and mount right on the camera such as the rode videomic (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/363083-REG/Rode_VIDEOMIC_VideoMic_Camera_Mounted.html)
but you can't really put it on a boom because of the whole non XLR thing it has to have a short cord otherwise you'll have fuzz.

MIXING

Glad you asked about that because its often overlooked. I don't know of a good source to learn about mixing in general, most sources i know are for a specific recording application. You can mix in your NLE so i'd recomend looking at tutorials for whatever NLE you use you'll probably find some mixing basics. Also you can just fool around with stuff. Thats how I learned to mix :). Just pull up your paragraphic or parametric EQ on an audio track and push nodes around till it sounds hollywood (ofcourse its not that easy and it takes a while to really hone the skill)!!! I find it helpful to compare to a hollywood movie or some other thing with pro sounding dialogue audio as I'm mixing. I actually use the TV show LOST because they always have episodes right there on ABC.com.

[Teap]

Thank you so much for your reply! You're a big help, I will definitely use the information you've provided me.

[Teap]

I have another question... if the camera is on 24p mode does that mean it shoots in progressive? Or is it still interlaced? My cousin is a film student and he claims that if it's in 24p mode it is still interlaced, but I'm pretty sure that's wrong...

[Lunchbox]

If 24p is shoot in interlace, it will be called 24i :)

HV30 has a true progressive sensor. PF24 is shot in progressive mode. However, HDV standard is interlaced. The 24p footage you shoot will have pulldown inserted to comform with the HDv standard, thus showing up as a 60i video stream You will need to perform pulldown removal to obtain the 24 fps progressive video out. Information can be found in the FAQ thread

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=3058

[koolpenguin89]

Teap. just FYI, the HV30 can NOT record video to the SD card. And orchids, id like to know where your finding HDV tapes for $3 each :)

Dylan