I didn't spot this straight away. I did that recording on the iSight camera on my Mac, everything seems to be mirror imaged! Don't worry, it isn't a left-hand drive model!
Hi, I went through that process. There is no doubt about it, HD cameras do give excellent results especially when played back through the TV. If, like me, you were only interested in playing back through the computer, a good SD camera is fine. My current SD cam is still the XM2 which I really like. Check out my video called 'Avro Vulcan XH558 Riat 2009'. This is shot on the Canon but uploaded as HD. It'll be a couple of years before I change to HD. Also, is your computer up to editing HD?
I really like the Sony handycam series. You should check them out. They record really nice videos that I've seen. Also, what requirements does my computer need to edit HD?
If you have an up-to-date PC shouldn't be a problem, I use a Mac. Check whatever editing software you're going to use for minimum computer specs. Here's another one to think about. Tape, hard disc or memory card? HD and SD for that matter take up a lot of gigs in storage. While you can archive onto DVD, I find tape useful and cheap. Once I've finished editing, I can archive the movie in full resolution onto tape through my camera. Some cameras don't have an eyepiece viewfinder, useless in sun!
Here's an idea - check out the Sanyo X-Acti VPC-CG10. This is a tiny camcorder, records in 720p HD, really nice picture and doubles as a 10MP still camera. Since it's dirt cheap, you can experiment with HD. They are great but not quite as good as others in low light. I've checked out some of your videos - try & get Instant HD - you will get an improvement on what is already pretty good. There's a demo video on their website.
One last point - the technique I used to convert to HD was just to make a 720p movie from SD footage on iMovie. There is a plugin for Premiere, After Efeecets & Final Cut called Instant HD that does a much better job at upscaling SD to HD. If I used this, the footage would be much sharper. Sorry about the shaky camera work - I couldn't use a tripod at that spot.
the xm2 is an amazing little cam. i had one years ago before moving onto the bigger XL2. im now on the hi-def XHA1, another beauty from Canon but i still use a little xm2 for personal footage. its a tough little cam and takes alot of knocks but they do give trouble with the tape deck from time to time. if you're not going hi-def its certainly the best SD cam to buy. Only a pro would notice the difference in footage from an XM2 (on manual) and the bigger XL2.
XM2 is a great cam for the money - at the moment for HD you need a blue ray, HDTV bags of memory - it goes on. So I was pleased to watch this vid - it was like an agony aunt section for camera buffs! More please. I use an XM2 and have had my films shown film fests internationally. Nice to see you chose it - remember youtuber's it's not the camera - it's the man! Look fwd to the footage. With the right compression you will get great shots with the XM2 on youtube.
HDV is fine in FCP or FCE. Don't believe the hype. However, I do understand that u wanted more manual focus control and the eye finder. Nice cam. I own the Hv20 and it rocks. I will post a video response if you like.
You're probably right but I also thought about the possibility of having to upgrade my Mac. I'll probably get a HV20 for situations where I can just shoot handheld and see how it goes. Thanks.
Hi Alan I think you did a good choise. Like myself after many thinking and deliberations my pick fell on this formidable Camcorder, the canon xm2. Good luck. You can way#tch move video tests by myself if you search my name Anthony Agius.Cheers.
It is a kind of funny, that i used the Canon XM1 to record the "Get so calm" production
AirooVision 7 months ago
@AirooVision ...and I remember asking you what you thought of the camera and I bought one! I use a Lumix GH13 these days!
alanstarkie2001 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
isn't the hand grip of the xm 2 on the false side or is that a special left hand camcorder?
dochrissi66 2 years ago
isn't the handgrip of the xm 2 on the false side or is that a special camcorder for left handers?
dochrissi66 2 years ago
I didn't spot this straight away. I did that recording on the iSight camera on my Mac, everything seems to be mirror imaged! Don't worry, it isn't a left-hand drive model!
alanstarkie2001 2 years ago
I'm stressed out about getting an HD camcorder trying to find one for the right price or whether I should just stick with SD.
thanep1000 2 years ago
Hi, I went through that process. There is no doubt about it, HD cameras do give excellent results especially when played back through the TV. If, like me, you were only interested in playing back through the computer, a good SD camera is fine. My current SD cam is still the XM2 which I really like. Check out my video called 'Avro Vulcan XH558 Riat 2009'. This is shot on the Canon but uploaded as HD. It'll be a couple of years before I change to HD. Also, is your computer up to editing HD?
alanstarkie2001 2 years ago
I really like the Sony handycam series. You should check them out. They record really nice videos that I've seen. Also, what requirements does my computer need to edit HD?
thanep1000 2 years ago
If you have an up-to-date PC shouldn't be a problem, I use a Mac. Check whatever editing software you're going to use for minimum computer specs. Here's another one to think about. Tape, hard disc or memory card? HD and SD for that matter take up a lot of gigs in storage. While you can archive onto DVD, I find tape useful and cheap. Once I've finished editing, I can archive the movie in full resolution onto tape through my camera. Some cameras don't have an eyepiece viewfinder, useless in sun!
alanstarkie2001 2 years ago
Here's an idea - check out the Sanyo X-Acti VPC-CG10. This is a tiny camcorder, records in 720p HD, really nice picture and doubles as a 10MP still camera. Since it's dirt cheap, you can experiment with HD. They are great but not quite as good as others in low light. I've checked out some of your videos - try & get Instant HD - you will get an improvement on what is already pretty good. There's a demo video on their website.
alanstarkie2001 2 years ago
One last point - the technique I used to convert to HD was just to make a 720p movie from SD footage on iMovie. There is a plugin for Premiere, After Efeecets & Final Cut called Instant HD that does a much better job at upscaling SD to HD. If I used this, the footage would be much sharper. Sorry about the shaky camera work - I couldn't use a tripod at that spot.
alanstarkie2001 2 years ago
Why is this video back to front? It looks weird to see the camera in reverse.
NorthWestMale 2 years ago
xm2 is fine for me
deckthree 3 years ago
xm2 does look good, on youtube, but i've just discovered vimeo and now think sd has gone.
seanachaide 3 years ago
the xm2 is an amazing little cam. i had one years ago before moving onto the bigger XL2. im now on the hi-def XHA1, another beauty from Canon but i still use a little xm2 for personal footage. its a tough little cam and takes alot of knocks but they do give trouble with the tape deck from time to time. if you're not going hi-def its certainly the best SD cam to buy. Only a pro would notice the difference in footage from an XM2 (on manual) and the bigger XL2.
jaxzdesign 3 years ago
i totally agree i have a xm2 and its great
SCOTTHQ 3 years ago
all i know is i desperetly want the sd one atleast
moviesunrated 3 years ago
XM2 is a great cam for the money - at the moment for HD you need a blue ray, HDTV bags of memory - it goes on. So I was pleased to watch this vid - it was like an agony aunt section for camera buffs! More please. I use an XM2 and have had my films shown film fests internationally. Nice to see you chose it - remember youtuber's it's not the camera - it's the man! Look fwd to the footage. With the right compression you will get great shots with the XM2 on youtube.
flashgunfilms 3 years ago
HDV is fine in FCP or FCE. Don't believe the hype. However, I do understand that u wanted more manual focus control and the eye finder. Nice cam. I own the Hv20 and it rocks. I will post a video response if you like.
Great vids, Peace,
Ryguy1450 3 years ago
You're probably right but I also thought about the possibility of having to upgrade my Mac. I'll probably get a HV20 for situations where I can just shoot handheld and see how it goes. Thanks.
alanstarkie2001 3 years ago
Hi Alan I think you did a good choise. Like myself after many thinking and deliberations my pick fell on this formidable Camcorder, the canon xm2. Good luck. You can way#tch move video tests by myself if you search my name Anthony Agius.Cheers.
hippa03 3 years ago
Thanks Anthony. I did indeed watch your clips before deciding on the XM2 - so you're partly responsible for my decision!
alanstarkie2001 3 years ago