HV30 or XH-A1

[hardy]

ok here it goes. i just sold my sony vx2100 and want to start with HD footage. i realy like how the hv20 0r hv 30 performs but i was reading alot about DOF adapters and rails for it and of course u need some lenses too. then after all u have up side down image which is no big deal i guess but stiil little disturbing after all the money spend for all these things. so my question is isnt just better to buy xh-a1 instead and have compact camera with realy good performace even its cost little bid more?

prices
camera hv30 $800-1000
dof vibrating adaptor $500 nad up
lenses $100 (canon 50mm 1.8f)
rails $100 aprox.

thanks let me know what you think

[funnychicken11]

Honestly, if you have the extra money, then go for the XH A1. It offers so much more manual control, plus pretty much unbeatable performance in terms of HDV. If you want really detailed reviews of both cams, go to www.camcorderinfo.com

[Duke]

I agree that it depends on what you do with it, but not necessarily that the XH-A1 wins camera vs. camera.

The A1 is a great camera and wins for ease of manual use.

It doesn't win for portability. The HV20 is smaller and lighter.

And IMHO the A1 doesn't win for picture quality. The A1 is a 24f camera, not 24p. Loss in picture quality is noted as 10-20% on many reviews because it's a frame camera not progressive.

In addition, through HDMI direct capture in the HV20 you can have uncompressed video. No 1440 stretched images, no GOP one second image drop and no compression artifacts with more color data (4.2.2).

The A1 can't do it because it doesn't have the HDMI port so you can't bypass compression for tape.

I haven't seen anything less than $7,000 $15,000 that can do that.

Duke

[Lunchbox]

hey Duke, were you able to make use of the NAB special and get yourself an A1?

I disagreed on the A1 picture quality. The default A1 color is flat and dull. With all the presets library downloaded, A1 instantly becaome very flexible. HV30 is limiting on customization. I have read the F mode suffers about 12% vertical resolution loss. Even so A1 30p is still sharper and cleaner than HV30 30P in my opinion.

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?p=78289#post78289

You might not notice it right away. But sitting in front of the computer viewing both video continuously, I can tell the difference.

[Duke]

Hi Taky,

The bit about frame vs progressive I've never totally understood, but even the camera companies say frame is less resolution, but you have both (lucky you.)

Thanks very much for the NAB assitance in that regard. I debated long and hard about it, to the point of starting an order twice, but I finally decided against it.

For what you do the A1 is perfect. For what I do the A1 would be helpful in some ways and a hinderance in others, so I decided that I didn't need to spend the money right then even though that was a heck of a deal. Both is the way to go if you can afford it.

I'm beginning to think I should just make the d*mn movies and quit messing with all the technical stuff. This gets addicting.

Duke

[Lunchbox]

I started using Canon Frame (F) mode shooting with GL2. It instantly gives me an edge in final DVD delivery compare to my compeititors. While all other people shooting DV 60i, I am able to shoot progressive and the output quality has the rich expensive film look.

So knowing I can shoot in 30F in A1, it makes me jump. The Frame mode is what Canon does called "CCD Row Pairing" to mimic progressive output using interlaced sensor. That's what I read from somewhere. They also estimated there are about 12 to 15% vertical resolution loss compaired to full 60i. I still jump to 30F.

I don't notice any resolution loss. I believe with the difference of 3CCD, 30F video looks even better than 30P in Hv30.

I felt in love with the VIVIDRGB preset of A1. I'm shooting in that mode now and try to use the Matrox Color Correction tool to match the tone to the HV30 clip too.