F.A.Qs - READ FIRST BEFORE YOU POST

[wolferic]

If you're reading this forum for the first time, welcome and I hope you find it as useful as so many of us have.
But please, have a look though the previous threads to see if your question has already been asked before you post.
You can find the 'Search' function on the green bar at the top of every page.

1. What is the difference between HD and regular mini-DV tapes?
Price is the main difference. Just buy a reputable brand of MV tape and stick with that brand.
(Suggested Thread)

2. What is that rattling sound I hear when the camera is off and should I be worried about it?
The optical image stabilization mechanism rattles when the power is off. It's perfectly normal. Don't worry.
(Suggested Thread)

3. How do I get the footage from tape into the computer?
First, you'll need to connect the HV20 to the computer using FireWire cable (aka iLink or IEEE1394). However, no FireWire cable is supplied with the HV20, so you'll have to buy one yourself. Most editing software will allow you to import directly from the HV20. However, for various reasons, some people like to use HDVSplit (PC only) to transfer footage.
(Suggested Thread (PC))

4. How do I get the footage from computer back onto tape?
Use your editing software's Print to Tape function. This may not be available in all editing packages.
(Suggested Thread (PC))

5. Can I use USB2 or only Firewire?
USB is used to transfer from the miniSD card that can be inserted into the HV20. FireWire is used to transfer the video. See question 3. USB will not transfer the video.
(Suggested Thread)

6. What is the difference between the PAL and NTSC HV20 models?
The frame rate is different between the two models. In normal mode, the PAL version records 50 interlaced (50i) fields a seconds, the NTSC version records 60 (60i). In progressive mode the PAL version records 25 frames per second, the NTSC version 24 frames.
(Suggested Thread)

7. Can a PAL HV20 be made into an NTSC one (or vice-versa)?
No...and Yes! There is now (as of mid-2010) a firmware hack/mod
available for the HV30 that DOES ALLOW PAL/NTSC switching. It works both ways, and can be reversed at will.
Here's the site: Official Firmware Hacking Thread (new)
Currently the HV20 and HV40 are not supported, so for best results with those, use the model appropriate to your region.
In addition, adequate frame rate conversion can also be performed by some video editing software (Sony Vegas, Virtual Dub, etc).
(Suggested Thread)

8. What is a 35mm DOF adapter and why would you use one?
They make the background blurred, drawing your attention to the subject. Without such an adapter, almost everything in a scene is in focus. 35mm adapter give footage a more film-like feel.
(Suggested Thread)

9. What external microphone should I use?
Rode VideoMics are popular, cheap and very good. Senheiser MKE300 is also popular, though more expensive.Other are available, of course, including Canon's own DM50. Most external mics are mono.
(Suggested Thread)

10. What spare battery should I use / Will this battery work in the HV20?
Generic batteries are fine. BP-2L and NB-2L series batteries are fine. The larger the the number after the L (eg, NB-2L14) the higher the capacity of the battery. eBay is a fair place to purchase. For other suppliers, check yor favourite search engine.
(Suggested Thread)
(Suggested Thread)


11a. After my PF24 footage captured to the computer, it shows up as 29.97fps. Why is it not 24fps?
HV20 inserted interpolated pulldown frames 24fps video to form a 30fps video stream so that the video can be play back on NTSC system.
Suggested Thread

11b. How do I remove pulldown / What is pulldown?
This applies only to NTSC models. Pulldown is an archaic method of adjusting for the fact that film at 24fps in NTSC is stored at 29.97FPS. In the HV20 24p mode, footage is stored in a 60i 'wrapper'. This causes a degree of blur in the footage. Pullown removal converts the footage to true 24P and thus removes the blur. Due to the way the HV20 records 24p, pulldown removal can not be easily automated.
(Suggested Thread)

Admin: Pulldowns are additional frames inserted into the 24fps frames to form a 30fps video stream. So the video can be playback in NTSC system. These pulldown frames are generated by interpolating adjacent frames so they could be blury (to some people).

Eugenia put together steps in her blog to remove pulldown using Steve's HV20pulldown.exe program.
Eugenia's blog of Steve's hv20pulldown.exe automatic process.

If you don't want to deal with all these pulldown procedures, you can buy NeoHDV or AspectHDV from Cineform to remove pulldown during capture. Cineform offers HV20 users a nice discount on purchasing their products.
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=3992

11c. After I removed pulldown in my 24p footage using a lossless codec, it plays back very choppy with any video program. The sound and audio skips when play back in full screen.

Lossless codecs (uncompressed, Lagarith, Huffyuv) uses unlimited data rate to preserve the image quality. The resulting file is huge in size. Most PC will have trouble playing back the footage full screen in realtime.
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=6747

11d. Can I remove pulldown after I finish editing the video?

It's questionable and not recommended. Most of us think it's a bad idea.
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=8065

12. Do I need to use cinemode / What is cinemode?
You don't need it. It is useful however as it removes in-camera sharpening and gamma correction, leaving you more flexibility during the editing stage.
(Suggested Thread)


13. Which is better to edit with, PC or Mac?
It's a matter of personal preference. There is a greater choice of editors for the PC, but choice doesn't mean better. Use the system you are comfortable with. (and can afford!)
(Suggested Thread)

14. Where can I download a copy of the HV20 Manual?
PAL Version in pdf format.
NTSC Version in pdf format.

15. How do I control shutter speed and aperture at the same time?
Shoot in shutter priority (Tv) mode and then set exposure manually. To check shutter/aperture settings, put a miniSD card in HV20 and depress the photo button halfway.
(Suggested thread)

16. What video editing programs everybody uses? How about Windows Movie Maker? Can I use WMM?
Check out this thread for what's everybody's using to edit HDV video. Only Vista's version of WMM can handle HDV (and not Vista Basic's version either).
(Suggested thread)

17a. Any suggested accessories for my new HV20?
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=8008
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=471
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=2250
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=14435

17b. Wide Angle Lens; what is it, do I need it, and which one should I get?
Suggested Thread


18. Why is my footage 1440 x 1080? I thought I was shooting 1920 x 1080 as Canon claims that's the CMOS sensor's size?"

The pixel aspect ratio (PAR) of HDV footage is 1 to 1.333. Each pixel is stretched 33% wider to fill the 1920x1080 display aspect ratio. This is the HDV standard. Canon DID NOT invented it for HV20.
Suggested thread


19. What's the difference between 60i, 24p and 30p?
Suggested thread


20. How can I record my VHS footage to the HV cam? Or use the HV cam as a pass-through to record the VHS footage to computer?
Suggested thread

21. Is there anything of value on the CD that comes with the HVX0?
Not really. There is a still photo browser and some other junk, but nothing necessary for operation of the HV. See here:
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=21913

22. Do I need to remove pulldown shooting with 24F mode in HV40?
That applies to HV40 NTSC cameras. Pulldown is inserted only on PF24 mode, not native 24F mode.
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=26419

[24Peter]

23. HV30 vs HV40
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=26847
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=20496
http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=21004

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That's great Worley - but I have a question: which head cleaning tape should I use to lock exposure when my image has the wobbles on that tripod you guys all recommended? Oh, and what shutter speed should I use to shoot my grandmother golfing in Siberia in low light? (is Russia PAL or NTSC BTW?)
(Boy this camera stuff is confusing! )

[Worley]

24Peter, Russia is SECAM. So Is France.
No camcorders are available in either country because no SECAM models have yet been produced.

For shooting your grandmother, may I suggest a Colt 45?

I would recommend a shutter speed of 35kmh.

A toothbrush is a suitable head-cleaner, but for a serious blockage use firewire wool.

[wolferic]

Thanks guys. I was hoping some of the regulars would chime in here. Can't let things get tooooo serious…

(and thanks for the additions to the list Worley. I knew I'd missed a few of them).

[dr jones]

i've been waiting for a sticky like this. thank you wolf! now i don't have to see 16 katrillion threads about the same thing every day

[geekd]

In order to truly be effective, that list needs to have links to the threads that answer those questions.

-geekd

[lwm99]

In order to truly be effective, that list needs to have links to the threads that answer those questions.

-geekd

Agree, or else each search will come out with a long list of threads that may or may not contain information that is useful. With links will begin to have a shape of a faq.

[Krane]

Agree, or else each search will come out with a long list of threads that may or may not contain information that is useful. With links will begin to have a shape of a faq.

Unfortunately there's no other way to do it (at least not one I can think of?) It's to bad there's not an MLA style fashion to list threads. It can be narrowed down to threads, but this website won't accept a single post.

Maybe one day someone will write a program where all thread will have "key" word templates for easy titles look up.

p.s. Now I understand why people just ask the questions, it took me over an hour just to find these, burned out for now but I will add more later!

[geekd]

Krane, that is an excellent start.

I am a member of several forums. One, in particular is very good and informative, (http://s2ki.com - for owners of the Honda S2000 sports car). It is very similar to this forum in that it gets a lot of newbies asking the same questions. It has a sticky like this, with links, and it does help to cut down on duplicate posts. They still happen, tho.

But when they do happen, the moderators can link the sticky, and lock the thread.

Sigh. Cars, music & video. I have expensive hobbies. Like the Canon HV20, the Honda S2000 is the best bang for your buck item in it's class, and the best before you get into the "real" money. It's not surprising that items like these inspire great enthusiasm in their users, and active and informative forums like this one. As soon as I saw this forum, and how much traffic it gets, I knew the HV20 was the right camera for me.

-geekd

[Erik Bien]

I'd like to suggest:

11. Which is better to edit with, PC or Mac? Either, or both. And remember, Only You Can Prevent Threadjacking!

[Worley]

I have added the Mac/PC question, changed the formatting, and included brief answers.

If I have anything wrong, let me know and I'll correct it asap.

[darosk]

I'd like to suggest:

12. What's the difference between PAL and NTSC versions of the HV20?

And possibly add to the pulldown answer some info about PAL being in 25p and pulldown removal not being required or something.

[mattias]

24Peter, Russia is SECAM. So Is France.

analog broadcast and video, yes, but in the digital realm it's pal there too.

/matt

[Worley]

@Mattias, that was posted tongue-in-cheek in response to 24Peter.

[wolferic]

In order to truly be effective, that list needs to have links to the threads that answer those questions.

-geekd

Dude - (just had to say that, love the photo )

I've updated the original post to include links. Worley added some straight-forward answers. I think we're getting closer…

and thanks for the input.

[Krane]

Dude - (just had to say that, love the photo )

I've updated the original post to include links. Worley added some straight-forward answers. I think we're getting closer…

and thanks for the input.

WOW! What a great new look. From now on navigating this website is gonna be a charm.

[Dodgy Nick]

I have added the Mac/PC question, changed the formatting, and included brief answers.

If I have anything wrong, let me know and I'll correct it asap.

Hey Worley,

Those of us using the "Alternative Style" skin can't read the white and yellow formatted fonts. I'm back online from moving house btw, congrats on your award winning movie! Any chance of having it online for a little while yet?

Cheers,
Nick

[Worley]

OK, the colours have been corrected and the text tidied up a little. Additional question(s) added too.

@Spoiler, I'll post it back shortly. I'm looking to move home too...

[wolferic]

OK, the colours have been corrected and the text tidied up a little. Additional question(s) added too.

@Spoiler, I'll post it back shortly. I'm looking to move home too...

Hey Worley, #3 and #4 are the same…

[Worley]

Hey Worley, #3 and #4 are the same…

Oh, not they're not! (not any more, anyway). Bad Worley, bad boy.

[Worley]

Added links to downloadable pdfs of the PAL and NTSC manuals.

[Rikki]

Mal if you're reading...

See if there is a VB modification that will display a custom message to anyone posting a message that has say less than 15 posts.

That message (in big red letters) would say:

If you have a question about the HV20 that falls into the following general categories :

...
...
...
...
(the list above)

Then please read this thread to avoid cluttering up the forum with repeat questions.

[Worley]

Doesn't everyone receive a welcome email? The note could be added there.

[Frank]

How about "How do I control shutter speed and aperture at the same time?"
Shoot in shutter priority and then set exposure manually. To check shutter/aperture settings, put a miniSD card in HV20 and depress the photog button halfway.
suggested link: http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=180

[HalD]

Eric; If you get the time change "How do I perform pulldown" to "How do I remove pulldown/etc"
Cheers,
Hal