HV40 vs everything else!

[AJRubenstein]

Hey guys.

I just obtained a HV40, along with the telephoto lense that Canon makes, an AZDEN SMX10 mic, and a reasonable EI-717AT tripod (really a high end cheapie, but it's quite nice considering the price) and a ND filter lense. I come from a pro-video background, working in commercial video about 6 years ago. It's a servicable little workhorse, especially for a consumer camera - I never thought I'd be able to cope with a consumer camera again, so it's nice to know that I can get great results out of something that's actually affordable.

So, I present you cats with a few questions I didn't appear to be able to get answered anywhere else on the boards (I may not be digging hard enough, much apologies.):

Firstly, is there a way of getting 2 channel sound on this little guy without splitting two audio devices on a stereo channel into seperate channels?

Second, what are the main differences between the HV20/30s and the HV40?

Thirdly, are custom firmwares available for the HV40? I'd like to be able to lock the gain and flip the display, if I in the future get one of them nifty DOP adapters.

Finally, how much difference will you get with streaming through the HDMI channel vs just recording on a miniDV tape, quality wise?

Cheers to all. This seems like a great community - and I can't wait to get stuck into some filmmaking, just like I wanted to originally at the tender young age of 17.

Allan.

[AJRubenstein]

Ooooh, and one last thing - what's an easy way of using XLR leaded audio equipment with one of these rigs?

[AJRubenstein]

More apologies, I noticed that a number of my questions were answered in the stickied threads.

[MrMicah]

You might want to let people know which questions you have found answers for, so they don't try to answer them, and so the less patient ones don't feel compelled to tell you where to go....

[AJRubenstein]

Fair call.

Do HV40s have two audio inputs through any particular channels? Or do I need to split two audio devices onto left and right channels?

Is streaming to a computer through the HDMI channel at all worth it?

Allan.

[cgbier]

It has two channels, but no separate adjusting for them.
HDMI is worth it when you capture live from the sensor. Captured from tape, it makes only sense if your computer doesn't have FireWire.

[AJRubenstein]

How do you access both channels? Or is one of the channels permanently the line that the camera mic is attached to? I can only find a connection for one channel.

Cheers for the help.

[Janke]

The camera has a stereo mic, recording to both channels (L & R). The hotshoe accepts Canon's special stereo mics via hidden contacts. But you won't get good L-R separation with either.

The Mic input is 2 channels, L & R, but needs a 3-pole 3.5mm plug for that, otherwise, with an ordinary 2-pole plug, it will record to one channel only.

PS:
I suggest you remove the manual from its plastic bag before trying to read it...
But seriously, if you haven't got a manual, it's available on Canon's website(s).

[Steve_Karl]

I hear that the HF S100 has all on the same good stuff the HV40, has but doesn't use tape.

[AJRubenstein]

The camera has a stereo mic, recording to both channels (L & R). The hotshoe accepts Canon's special stereo mics via hidden contacts. But you won't get good L-R separation with either.

The Mic input is 2 channels, L & R, but needs a 3-pole 3.5mm plug for that, otherwise, with an ordinary 2-pole plug, it will record to one channel only.

PS:
I suggest you remove the manual from its plastic bag before trying to read it...
But seriously, if you haven't got a manual, it's available on Canon's website(s).

Heya,

Cheers for the heads up. I think what I may be confusing is the idea of the HDV codec or recording medium having the ability to record two seperate stereo lines. I'm fairly sure that when I recorded to DVCAM back in the day that we were able to have two distinct audio channels running into the tape. What I was wondering is if I could have a seperate audio line from the hotshoe and the mic input.

I have two lapel mics with Canon leads, and I'm trying to work out how to get one of them connected as well as my little AZDEN mic for location sound onto seperate channels (mono is fine). Would a simple set of adapters suffice?

The ever questioning
Allan.

[cgbier]

All you need is a Y-adaptor. Keep in mind, though, that you can't adjust the audio levels separately.

[AJRubenstein]

So that could work, eh? That's fine - I can adjust the levels on the actual lapel mic reciever.

[Krane]

So that could work, eh? That's fine - I can adjust the levels on the actual lapel mic reciever.

That is one solution among many. The pros typically use a dedicated audio recorder and just have the camera's mic recording for back up/ambiance.

The XLR type adapters are best and the better ones (e.g. more expensive) offer you more control and flexibility. Nevertheless, for 80% of video users and conditions the cameras mic inputs will be fine.




p.s. Read your manual; its not that bad.

[AJRubenstein]

I was looking at the TASCAM little recorders, and they seem like great little devices - but isn't re-syncing the audio in post a right pain in the neck?

[AJRubenstein]

Also - you are correct. I really should be reading my manual more, and have been doing so.

[cgbier]

Tascam- Zoom is mostly a question of taste.

If you have a chance to make a loud noise (clapperboard, clap your hands) when cam and recoreder are running, it is rather a piece of cake. You just have to line up the spikes. It's pretty simple and doesn't take long. Wear nedphones and listen to your stuff. Once you don't hear any echo anymore, your good to go.

Pluraleyes will do it you automatically.

[Janke]

I made a 30-minute documentary with the Tascam running "wild" all the time - it didn't take long to sync up, just look at the waveforms of the camera and recorder tracks, and it's a cinch...

I noted that the "drift" in a 12-minute scene was less than one frame.