Is there a way to find out how many hours on HV30?

[gsrokmix]

Hi,

I'm brand new here & this is my first post. I am looking at a used HV30 as my first HD camcorder. Is there a way to know how many hours are on one of these? Is there a menu item or a sequence of button presses that will tell me how many hours of use the transport has?

Thanks very much for any help!

George

[BarteS]

I can only state I did not encounter such a feature on the HV20. But I also wonder whether such a feature would be of use. It's not like with a DSLR and its shutter. There are far too many factors affecting the quality of the tape mechanism which makes any statements regarding lifespan of the tape mechanism useful. For starters, did the owner change the tapes in a dusty environment, use it just to capture or also playback including fast forwards, .. which tapes did the owner use, ..

[Bif]

In this day and time I would not seriously consider purchasing ANY tape based camcorder used. It's not a matter of "if" there will be some problem or malfunction, it's a matter of "when".

The HV20 was camera of the year when it came out, it was an amazing camera and while in dependable working order it still is. But it's now "long in the tooth". The HV30 has been out for a couple of years or so and it, too is getting some age on it.

Tape mechanisms are complex enough and there is a "fine balance" to manner in which the moving parts run the tape accurately and smoothly. It will take very little deviation from adjustments, calibration, and function to totally ruin a day's "take".

So right now in the OP's situation I would be looking at the flash memory variations in the Canon line. If his current computer won't handle the demands of AVCHD, there are free file converters available to get to a file format his computer can handle.

I used Koyotesoft's "Free Video Converter" for a while until I got into a powerful enough 2nd generation Core i7 2600 based computer.

Bruce Foreman

[gsrokmix]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I agree with you about the problems an old tape mechanism could / would have. I was really only considering this camera because of; the great reviews I have read about it's video quality & manual functionality, I can get it for around $200, and the seller claims it has less than 2 hours of use.

I have been considering either a TM900 or an HS900 but when I saw the HV30 for the price I thought saving $500 to $600 on my first HD camera would be nice

I have a 2010 8 Core Mac Pro with 10 Gig of RAM, an Nvidia GTX 285 video card, and have been using PPro CS5. I figured that my system would handle the AVCHD files ok. I am used to capturing SD DV from tape so that process wouldn't bother me as well.

I'm torn because I can get the HV30 so cheap.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

George

[cgbier]

If you buy cheap, you ofttimes pay double. You have the infrastructure, so you shouldn't have any issues with AVCHD. Got the dough, buy the Pana.

[gsrokmix]

Point taken about buying cheap. Guy just dropped price to $140. My curiosity may get the best of me and I may have to go look at it. For that price it could turn into a second camera if it lasts any amount of time.

If I look at it I'll post my findings.

Thanks again!

George

[DebG.]

An HV30 with (theoretically) only 2 hours of use?! For only $140?! Just to check out HD and play around with?! Why the heck not?

Deborah

[Steve_Karl]

I used Koyotesoft's "Free Video Converter" for a while until I got into a powerful enough 2nd generation Core i7 2600 based computer.

Bruce Foreman

Thanks. That answers a question that's been haunting for a bit.
I just built 2 i7 2600k machines so now I know they can handle a camera upgrade.

Bruce:
Do you know if the charger from the HV40 can be used with the HF 100 and also how about the batteries?
Also, how do you like the Joy Stick Focus on the HF 100?


Thanks!

[Almohada]

I wish I had the money to get an HV30 or 40! Go for it!!! They are amazing camcorders.

[Bif]

Point taken about buying cheap. Guy just dropped price to $140.

If he's dropping the price that much on it, there's something he's not being "up front" about.

I'd head the other direction.

Bruce Foreman

[Bif]

Thanks. That answers a question that's been haunting for a bit.
I just built 2 i7 2600k machines so now I know they can handle a camera upgrade.

Mine handles AVCHD files natively on the timeline, Canon DSLR MOV files on the same timeline. Easily and smooth.

Bruce:
Do you know if the charger from the HV40 can be used with the HF 100 and also how about the batteries?

I don't know, I kind of doubt it, and the batteries are different AFIK. If you have the camera and no way to power it, order an aftermarket decoded battery or two and a charger from Lunchbox on this forum.

Also, how do you like the Joy Stick Focus on the HF 100?

I don't like it, but I use it if I have to. Autofocus on the HF100 is very good and I shift to manual sometimes to "lock" it after autofocus.

Overall I like the HF100, simple and excellent IQ. But for any real control I use a 60D or Panasonic GH2 these days. The HF100s to supplement or when I need continuous following autofocus.

Bruce Foreman

[Steve_Karl]

Thanks Bruce. Very helpful.

Steve

[gsrokmix]

Well......I went to look at the HV30, I went to turn it on & apparently the battery wasn't holding a charge. It worked just fine while plugged in. The guy felt bad & embarrassed so I took the camera home for $80! All original packaging, & cabling. Camera looks to be in perfect shape. I played with it for a few minutes to make sure it was working. The transport acted & sounded ok. I am going to try & charge the battery overnite. I stopped & got a generic replacement on the way home which I'll try to charge tomorrow if the factory one doesn't hold a charge. Worse case, the guy said he'd take the camera back if I couldn't sort out the battery issue.

He said he only used it a few times to record himself doing martial arts, but just didn't like having to deal with tape. He has recently bought a smaller flash memory based camera for his limited uses.

All in all dare I say it was a great score! Hopefully I can get a battery to hold a charge & start shooting with it.

George

[DebG.]

OMG, that is CRAZY!!! $80?!?! You scored!

Deborah

[gsrokmix]

Not often do I get a really great deal on something I buy, especially used. After charging the battery for a few hours, it's fully charged & after playing with the camera awhile, I can't find anything wrong with it. He included 11 brand new Sony mini DV tapes, a firewire cable, & a nice little Kata bag to put everything in. All for $80! The battery for the wireless remote was never even taken out of the package. With all of the $$ I saved, I may now start to look for the wide angle & tele adapters for this camera.

I'm glad I took a chance on it. Only time will tell how long it will last but I'm really excited to start working with HD now.

Thanks to all who replied for your advice. I am looking forward to many hours of reading & learning here on the forum.

George

[Almohada]

He included 11 brand new Sony mini DV tapes, a firewire cable, & a nice little Kata bag to put everything in.

Holy crap!!!! Lucky you!! You basically bought all of the extras & got the camera for free!!!!!


NICE SCORE!!!!!

[cgbier]

Lucky Bastard! (just jealous here)

[Bif]

Be sure that when you go to transfer footage from the camcorder to computer using firewire, that you power down both camcorder and computer before connecting or disconnecting the cable.

Power OFF both.

Should anyone tell you this is not needed simply do a search on this site for "fried port" to read several "tales of woe".

It's not a given that your port will automatically fry if you connect with power on, but when it does happen it's expensive to fix.

Congratulations on a lucky good score!

Bruce Foreman

[gsrokmix]

Bruce,

Thanks for the heads up.Firewire is hot swappable but if people have had bad experiences I'll play it safe. I've had no issues hot plugging my Sony SD cameras but maybe there is something different about these.

Thanks again!

George

[Janke]

The problem, IMHO, is high voltage leak through AC adapters or PC power supply.

I suggest you connect the camera power brick as the very last of all connections - this will prevent AC leak voltage spikes going to the FW data lines.