Where do I start?

[peytonk]

Hello everyone, my name is Peyton and I'm new to this forum.

I am looking to find the right HD camera for me, and I have a few questions that I think you guys will be able to help me with.

I have a friend who is into filming and he suggested that I purchase an HV30. I did some research and found some very impressive work done with this camera. The only problem is that I cannot find a new HV30 anywhere at a reasonable price.

Then I saw the HF M31. I started to look more and more into Canon's series and the more I read the more confused I become. There are so many cameras and I have no clue what I'm looking for. I feel like the HV30 and HV40 were pretty much THE HD camera to have, but now a lot of new cameras are coming out. So what is the "new" HV30?

Can anyone explain to me what made the HV30 so good, and what I can look for in newer models so that I can find a comparable camera that will give me similar or better results?

Specific suggestions would also be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance for any advice or help you can give me.


ALSO, my computer specs :

mobo: M2n sli deluxe
videocard: geforce 9600
Ram: 2gigs (willing to upgrade to 4g if needed)
Processor : dualcore 2.8 ghz AMD

will my computer be able to handle editing HD footage?

[tvnewsbadge]

Can you get the HV40?

As far as the HF301 goes, I just took delivery of the HF30, but only intend to use it for EDC .

Haven't used the HF yet, but for "serious" work, I'd say the HV30 (which I have) is the better camera when it comes to custom settings etc and usability.

Can't speak to video quality because I just got it last night.

I think the lack of a viewfinder is going to be a serious handicap in sunlight with the HF30 and the touch screen menu is not exactly user friendly (but that's without having actually tried to use it in the "real world".

Also I think the lack of a full size hot shoe on the HF30 sucks and the external audio connector is in a VERY bad location, but I intend to use this camera as a high end "FLIP" type, so it's fine for my limited purposes.




I have no problem editing HD with CS4 on my computer, not sure of the specs but I think I have a quad processor at 2.7 and 4 gig ram if I remember correctly.

[Pali]

If you are comfortable with the HV30 there are plenty of them listed on ebay. The HV40 is pretty much the same camera and they are $650 new.

[peytonk]

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about buying a used camera...because I wouldn't really know what to look for when I received it to see if anything was wrong with it.

Where can I buy a new HV40 from for that price!? I would do it in a heartbeat!

[Pali]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...efinition.html

[kiwipwnage31]

why not just buy a refurbished hv30 for $475?

[peytonk]

Okay so I found refurbished HV30's on canons website for 475. It doesn't say anywhere whether the cameras are NTSC or PAL...but if its from canon usa it should be NTSC right?

I am still a little concerned whether or not I'll be able to smoothly upload and edit footage on my pc. (specs in OP)

is there any way i could download the program I'm going to edit on now and get footage to work with now and see how it goes? where could i obtain such footage?

[drapeama]

It doesn't say anywhere whether the cameras are NTSC or PAL...but if its from canon usa it should be NTSC right?

Vixia is the NTSC model and Legria is the PAL one. Should be written somewhere.

my computer specs :
mobo: M2n sli deluxe
videocard: geforce 9600
Ram: 2gigs (willing to upgrade to 4g if needed)
Processor : dualcore 2.8 ghz AMD

You should add up to 4Gb for sure. I'm running on a similar PC too, with 8GB ram and it's more than enough.

[peytonk]

what program do you use to edit?

[drapeama]

Got Vegas Pro 8.0, best for the price and i wouldn't mix my sound on another software.

[tvnewsbadge]

For me, CS4 works great.... Don't have FCP at home but played with it at work and it's fine too.

[peytonk]

isn't FCP exclusively for mac?

[tvnewsbadge]

Yeah, that's what we use at work...

[cgbier]

Does your PC have a firewire port?

[peytonk]

Yes. Will a refurbished HV30 from canonusa.com come with everything I need, including the firewire?

[drapeama]

...including the firewire?

Even if it's not included, it's not so expensive: Amazon FireWire Cable.

[cgbier]

If you don't have a firewire port in your PC, you'll have to buy one... comes to about twenty some bucks. Make sure it is OHCI compatible.

[drapeama]

Good point CG. Most recent computer has at least one, with at least 4 USB port!

[peytonk]

yes, i have a firewire port. thanks for your help everyone!