Need help on getting started!

[Java2007]

I am about to make my first major camcorder purchase. I am getting married in three weeks and we have been given gift money from our parents to buy a camcorder. Before doing any research, I had thought that I wanted a hard drive camera. That lead me to the Sony SR300. I soon realized I was not getting as much for my money as I could with the Canon HV20.

I am basically settled on buying the HV20. However, I have owned one camcorder in my life. It was a Sony analog 8mm camcorder that was new back in 1999. This sums my previous videography expereience--> Turn camera on....shoot some video....go home and plug the camera to the TV to watch with family...put full tape back in case with labeled events and rarely pull it back out again. I also own zero HD equipment.

I am committed to learning to make the most of the home videos I shoot. I guess I need to know if I can handle this. Can I utilize this camera to publish my recordings in standard def without loosing the orginal footage that I take in hi-def. I want to buy this camera so that the events we capture now will be stored in hi-def for the day when we invest in a hi-def TV and DVD player.

What kind of learning curve am I facing? What will be required of me just to view my footage on my standard def TV?

[ixlor8]

I capture in HDV with the HV20. I export the video with the firewire port. I use the "DV Lock" option on the camcorder. This will convert the HDV to SD. The orginal tape stays in the HDV fomat.

Excellent SD output quality. Great camcorder for the money. I sold my Canon GL2 to purchase it.

[Terfyn]

The camera has four outputs to a tv, a recorder or a computer. The one for a standard tv is the AV out (two audio, one composite video) Lead supplied with camera.
The socket below AV is the Component video (Red,Blue and Green plugs) goes into the Pr, Pb and Y sockets on the TV. This will give a high definition output (HDTV required) In this case the sound comes from the AV out.
On the back are the HDV/DV input/output for the Firewire (IEEE1394) connector to a computer and the HDMI output to an HDTV. ( same as Component out but sound included in the connector).
You will need to buy a Firewire cable and (possibly) an HDMI cable eventually.
USB port under the LCD screen is for still photos from the SD card.
Your tapes are safe and will record in HDV (Depending on how you set the camera) and replay in the same format whenever you want.

[Java2007]

Thank you very much for the help. I really feel comfortable with the HV20 now. I am making my purchase from Bestbuy.com this morning. Glad to come across this site as a resource as I try to get started with my new camera.

I am excited about editing and making the most of my home movies and the HV20....but I got a ton to learn. If you guys have any other resources besides sites like this one that I could benefit from...please let me know.

Thanks,
Matt

[Murrelet]

Matt
Warning***the fun is about to begin***Warning***money pit about to snap wide open***

My experience has been:

bought the HV20, had a lot of fun with it, then......
bought expensive HDMI cable
upgraded sound card in computer (X-Fi)
bought a more advanced NLE (got Vegas 7, had Pinnacle)
bought VASST instructional vids for Vegas (a brilliant life saver/learning curve reducer)
bought a wide angle lens (WD-H43)
bought a Rode Video mic with deadcat
bought 2 spare batteries and charger
bought a monopod
looking next for new head for my tripod
going to have to get a deeper camera bag, so can leave mic attached to cam
going to have to get new computer (aarrrggghh!!!)

Built:

a helmet cam (for paragliding and mountain biking)
a camera to tripod mounting plate to re-balance cam with WA
a poor man's steadicam (great fun running around like Groucho Marx, following my dog on his morning/evening walks in the field next door, steady inverted)
gonna build a waterproof housing (live in a marine environment)

Spending:

endless hours cruising this invaluable site
endless hours shooting tape/editing tape

You don't need any of this stuff, but some of it makes filming a lot more bearable, and others make it a lot more fun. Thanks to everyone who provided me with solutions and ideas, what a great time I'm having....:hv20-smilie70:

[DaveReporter]

It is only a money-pit if you let it. If all you want to do is shoot family vids all you need is
1) The camera using the built in mic
2) Simple editing software such as Ulead Video Studio
3) An expensive tripod
4) A work light or two for shooting indoors.

However with that kit you are unlikely to be able to shoot something good enough for the news or a film festival but you will have lots of fun and happy memories.

Dave