Contacted CANON and they said...

[jmorton]

Here is what I sent to Canon:

"At the following website Canon provides several HD clips for download to
demonstrate the capabilities of the HV10 and HV20.
http://usa.canon.com/app/html/See_Th.../hd_cmos.shtml
It is essential that you accompany each clip with detailed information
as to what camera settings were used when the clips were shot, whether
the clips were captured on tape or through HDMI, what computer system
was used (both hardware and OS software,) what Non-Linear Editing
software was used, and what output software was used, etc. The more
detailed the better.
I believe with this kind of support you will see your sales increase by
at least 20%. No one wants to buy into a big hassle. Make it easy for
me and others to say, "This is easy. I can do this. I am going to by a
Canon HV20!"
Thank you.
JM"

And here's what Canon said:

"We have forwarded your comments to Canon USA through our Customer
Feedback process. This process allows us to capture important feedback
from our valued customers. As we constantly strive to improve our
products and services, your comments are vital to our continued success."

Seems to me that Canon will probably follow up on this. It makes no sense logically or financially not to make it as easy as possible for their customers and potential customers to get the same great results from their products as they show and imply with these clips.

[davidbailey]

Sound like a good idea but I bet Canon's 'response' would have been phrased in exactly the same words if you'd told them it's raining outside!
DB

[sp8ce07]

That is an automatic reply email. Not sure if you can really take that as a response.

[ÇelikAt]

I recently wrote and asked for help with Canon DC50 (I was considering getting the DC50 before I decided on the HV20). Soon after my request they replied with really good information. They answered all my questions and then some. They went the extra mile and gave me very useful information. I was impressed. They came across as a competent bunch. I think you will get a genuine reply from Canon and I expect they will take your comments into consideration.

[Robbie Medford]

I contaced Canon and unfortunately got someone who knew about 15% of what he was talking about, and HE was consulting with a senior person. Like for instance, "when capturing 'video' at regular DV, the cature resolution is 1024x768. When capturing 'wide-dv' the video resolution is 1440x1080." I said "are you sure?" he said "yes"

Both of these are NOT true. As I understand it, DV resolution is 720x480, and wide dv is something-wider by 480.

I asked several other questions, but unfortunately didn't get much help....

Sorry about being a little cynical.

I LOVE the camera!!! But, there seems to be more help on these forums than "support".

Of course, I have only contacted them once .... But now I'm scared!

[Lunchbox]

DV wide is also 720x480. Each pixel is stretched 20% wider to fill the wide screen

[Robbie Medford]

yeah, a regular tv display shows it fine, but with computer software, you have 1 of 3 automatic scenarios:

1. Squashed, "too-tall-video" 720x480
2. Expanded horizontally - Approx 848x480 (which, like you said, is 20% stretched "real" pixels) for a correct video look
3. Compressed vertically - approx 720x408 - correct aspect ratio, and usually a "crisper" video, because instead of streching pixels to make more, you are using what you already have to make less, resulting in a sharper perceived image, despite its smaller size.

[Lunchbox]

Those are just the pixel your media player used to display a widescreen movie. The standard frame size is

Full HD - 1920x1080 x 1.0
HDV - 1440x1080 x 1.33
ProHD - 1280x720 x 1.0
DV - 720x480 x 0.9
DV Wide - 720x480 x 1.2