Canon HV30 Test

[paugsol]

I'm trying to make a short action movie. I tried the Sony HDR-CX160, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Could this give me a semi-movie look?

[sandgar1001]

Imagine your walking through that forest and sees this guy doing something.. .What would you think off?

[MOAB927]

Is Sony Vegas rendering 1080p as well?

[757dm]

Do u know how to get this quality in Adobe Premiere Pro?

[carosupersonic]

where is there? I want to go! :(

[Kwa17]

Wow awesome was wondering which camera to get I think this one seems to be it.

[AndruInTheSky]

hey I've got this same cam, but when I export the video to my comp and work with the captured material i kinda feel a big loss in quality. How can you upload it in HD to youtube or vimeo? Is it a matter of some option inside my camera or is it about post production?? I work in Adobe Premiere cs4... if someone knows please let me know, I've tried and i can't upload my work in HD anyyywhere :(

[haydenz13]

ohhh man i want this camera

[studioviral]

Color Corrector?

[railrat69]

i want this camera to film skateboarding

[MLGQUINCYandfriends]

is this camera hd and what format does it go to computer, and is it good with edting and fx and action scenes and stuff

[seanyboy1436]

i like the camera but i dont know to much about cassette. is it possible to transfer the video from cassette to the comp?

[CryingWindmillFP]

@seanyboy1436 Yes, but you will need to install a Firewire card into your one of your computer's PCI slots.

[seanyboy1436]

@CryingWindmillFP and thats seperate or does it come with the camera?

[CryingWindmillFP]

@seanyboy1436 Seperate

[Treemeadow]

I cried. Its what I've been looking for in a camera.

[usmceflips]

this is far most cheap and best hd cam?

[djcactus96]

nice:)

[JustSkateFilmz]

What settings do you use to export for youtube from your editing software? please :)

[CryingWindmillFP]

@JustSkateFilmz All in the description

[filmaholic730]

Best. Camera. Ever. 

[bigd021191]

please help!!!!

HV30 or HFs200

[usmceflips]

@bigd021191

HV30

[eunts]

omg.! this is amazing.

[joshybumboshy]

beautiful video really. Do you know any other camcorders that are closest to the HV30 with a budget of $650? I'm stuck..i just really want a good camera with good quality like this.

[littleskater29]

@joshybumboshy

hg21

[poncho630]

I'd sell my soul for a camera like this. I have a Sony Dcr-Hc28 :(

[AMuncherOfPizza]

Do you have to convert the footage before using it in Sony Vegas? Thanks and you have some great shots!

[gewooneerlijk]

WHAT,S BETTER THE SONY HDR HC1  OR CANON HV30.?

GREETZ

[randomman4]

Although I will say you did an AMAZING job with the color correcting! I'd love to know your settings

[EpicExtras]

This song is soooooo epic.

[Luggy14]

Color Settings? :D

[ChristianTMI]

I love the depth of field :)

[rstephensonable]

This is extraordinary... nice work!!!

[ColtonNeilMiller]

whats the best frame rate to use?

[zwink928]

Hey, I posted 2 videos with your rendering specifications, and one of them didn't fit with the square pixel aspect ratio my (Canon Vixia HF M300 Time lapse video). My Canon Vixia HF M300 focus test fit nicely with the square ratio however. Any ideas on why one didn't fit?

[AETrainingDavid97]

You earned +1 like and +12 internets for helping me decide on the camera I want to buy.

[ClaraLooovesMusic]

Dear CryingWindmillFP, I am interested in this camera and interested in making films. However, I am only 14 and have absolutely no idea about it. What is rendering? And when you say editing, you mean putting together the clips, right? Or also the colors?

You said you learned to edit the colors... Where/How did you learn that?

Thanks

[Danfango700]

@ClaraLooovesMusic you're on the internet right now, just google whatever terms you need and search for some video tutorials on youtube.

[SuperSamJam]

Wow.... I want this camera!!!! Song name?

[arturoborrull94]

this camera can film in 60 fps?

[LegacyLord]

filming with these smaller camcorders looks like so much fun. they are so portable and easy to carry. this looks great.

[ChaseGTV]

@CryingWindmillFP no i'm just wondering if you have ever used it.

[dac13]

omg I NEED a HV30! NOW...

[Marcuslundqvist]

thumbs up if u like this camera

[kvikmyndabio]

How do you change the framerate and what software do you use

[CryingWindmillFP]

@kvikmyndabio You can change the framerate in the camera. (24p, 30p, 60i). I use Sony Vegas Pro 9.0

[themfgreatest4321]

whata hardcore song!

[iamflipOut]

oha wonderfull quality

this camera is one of the best I think ;)

[ekzotica]

The most of all I like the strong deep colors you made in post edit. How did you get such a greens and yellows? Whatever I do, I achieve poor cheapy colors, orangish and darkish. Please for some fx presets!!! Thanks in advance!!!!!

[CryingWindmillFP]

@ekzotica I learnt how to colour correct footage, but I know there are some preset color correction addons out there such as Magic Bullet Looks.

[suzeee3435]

wow! what amazing quality and color! I just bought this camera and cannot wait to take it around :)

[rainarzufall]

good job dude ;).. its a nice camera!! I use a Sony Handycam but in the same price range.

[cl1ck111]

Thank you. After Jakegrady's Posting my Questin also looks a lil bit stupid, but i dont come along very well with Youtube's new look. Sry for that.

[CryingWindmillFP]

@cl1ck111 It's ok, don't worry about it :)

(rendering questions are fine) not many people look in the description anyway. but Jake's question was easily something he could of checked up on rather than asking me :P

[jakegrady95]

cant these take hd mini dv tapes?

[CryingWindmillFP]

@jakegrady95 want me to google the specifications for you?

[jakegrady95]

@CryingWindmillFP no its allright.

[cl1ck111]

why is it 'laggin' when you move around the cam?

[UntoldInk]

@cl1ck111 I rendered it wrongly

[cl1ck111]

@UntoldInk

Can you write something about the right rendering settings? I'll maybe get to the same problem further

[CryingWindmillFP]

@cl1ck111 if you look at the description, it's the link right at the bottom (advanced rendering)

[Brittagl]

0:37 Ahh auto-iris while recording! It burns!

[kdizzleg6]

woah.. im quite impressed. i have the same camera, can you help me out with getting the same type of clarity in you film?? lense, settings, etc.. etc.. beautiful with the song!! :D

[RyanMinaker]

I like that forrest. The shots look great too

[someguywithavideocam]

Song?

[CryingWindmillFP]

Dunno man! I think I MAY of just typed it somewhere... Can't remember where though! Sorry!

/sarcasm

[someguywithavideocam]

o yeah  hehehe sorry.

[bouchandre]

hey!! when you capture in vegas in 60i, is it in 60 fpsor 30 fps cuz me I have premiere and when I import 60i it's always 30 fps. any tipz??

[AnnexF]

60 interlaced fields per second becomes 30 progressive frames if you de-interlace it.

[42LightYears]

Nice! How much the camera cost you? I'm considering getting one. And what software is nessessary? All I got is windows movie maker :(  Great video

[Norksy]

really beautiful film mate!

i have a small tip that would help the look of this film, just being nice :) not crit or anything. At 1:06 film the sequence the other way around, so move the camera forward through the grass and end up on the blue bell, then in post production, play that clip in reverse and the grass will not spring infront of the camera like it does at the moment and it will appear a smoother motion and just look real nice. i reccomend you try it :) again, fantastic film!

[CryingWindmillFP]

Hey, nice tip! thanks!

[cruzlawson]

Impressive!

[KarameloKaramelo]

Some over exposed shots and the colour correction is too much dude. For crying out loud. If you intended to zoom , it does not look like film.

[CryingWindmillFP]

I'm aware of the over-exposed shots (this is my first test with this camera, didn't know how to change exposure back then)

The color correction certainly isn't too much - I love my colours, and it makes it much more interesting to watch.

Then I don't really know what you're talking about, intended to zoom? look like film? Does it say in the description that I was trying to make it look like film?

oh, word of advice to you; learn to control your attitude

[Gehinterkopf]

Amazing thanks so much! i just got mine today :D

[CryingWindmillFP]

Nice! What are you planning to do with it? ^^

[Gehinterkopf]

@CryingWindmillFP making short Movies, Musicclips and eventually try to get into Filmschool

[meltmeltproductions]

how much was this camcorder....

[CryingWindmillFP]

What, you want me to Google it for you?

[amt521999]

599-799 depending on when you bought it

[gravelinablender]

Is this perhaps shot near Yew Tree Lane? It looks very like the woods there :D Beautiful filming. I'm only 16, and hoping to get a camcorder soon myself. I share your passion :D TV & Film are my life :3 It's all I've ever wanted to do.

[CryingWindmillFP]

Hehe, no, it's in Sheffield, not sure what they are called though! they are directly behind my house in a big housing area (if you look at 2:16, you can see some houses behind the trees).

I'm very glad to hear that you share the same passion! I'm excited to see what you will do with the camera yourself!

(I'm in the middle of making a short film atm!)

[gravelinablender]

Oh yesh, I live in Nottingham :D My mum sometimes takes the dogs there. I'm pretty sure it's the same place :P My Sony HDR-XR500 arrived on Monday. My brother conveniently had a nosebleed... it was much more tasteful than it sounds.. :)

[dayboyy24]

check out my test video :) i didnt use your settings though i found some better ones

[CryingWindmillFP]

Equipment used and FULL RENDERING INSTRUCTIONS for Sony Vegas has been added to the description. Thankyou :)

[dayboyy24]

wow thank you for the settings, my hv30 vids come out beautiful now :)

[LCSlade]

Thanks. Presently I'm using a $50 editor called Movie Edit Pro 14. Last night I tried another codec for Windows Media and the results are much much better, but still not quite like the original clip.

[CryingWindmillFP]

If your editor allows you to choose the pixel size of the video, choose Square Pixels (1.000) instead of HD pixels (1.333)

And ofc, render in 1280x720 resolution.

That'll help you get the frame size right anyhow.

[LCSlade]

@CryingWindmillFP I'll sure look for the sq. pixel option. I do know however, if I do not change over to Mac, I plan to purchase Sony Vegas Pro 9. From what I see here and on vimeo, it seems like the best for Windows based video. Thanks again man!!

[BROKENHOUSEFILMS]

convert to a meg file

its easier and loads quicker and the quality is better

[ajudaaduja]

what kind of color corrections do you use?

[LCSlade]

This is very nice. Good color correction, and I love Goldfrapp. I too have an hv30 and LOVE it! I'm struggling with uploading though - just tried another and it was disasterous. Great work here!

[CryingWindmillFP]

Hey, if you are rendering in Vegas. view all the comments on this video. somewhere down at the bottom, I have told someone the exact settings.

and thanks :)

[jamesingtonthethird]

DEEP HONEY!!! Wow, that is the first time I have heard a random song I have on my ipod on youtube... Doesn't the very beginning hurt your ears.

[CryingWindmillFP]

Haha.

I have a very very wide music taste. You'll find all sorts on me!

And nah! Surprisingly it doesn't! :P

[thebestevernikeman]

hi i just got the hv40 and when i shoot video it seems like when i pan the camera or when people walk by quickly it seems a little jumpy, i can almost see some of this in your pan shots in the forest, is there any fix, is it because of the shutter speed

[CryingWindmillFP]

It can be down to framerate, or how good your computer is, or how you rendered the video.

search "exporting with vegas for vimeo HD" in google and click the first link. - this is the better way to render videos (with vegas) and it makes it much smoother. I only figured this out recently, so I haven't got a video on youtube that was rendered that way.

(even though the title says vimeo, it works for youtube too)

[odiethewuff]

This is something that I have experienced as well. In my cases, I discovered that it was actually the image stabilizer at work. Turned it off...and my pans came out smoother.

[thebestevernikeman]

@odiethewuff hey thanks so much man that worked great, im just having some problems with premiere but they can be solved

[CryingWindmillFP]

Ah! Nice find!

Thanks :D

[noahphillips1226]

Hey. I'm interested in this camera.  Just wondering, did you compress this video?

[CryingWindmillFP]

I assume you know what compression is?

It's a bit of a stupid question :S because ofc it is compressed. That's what rendering a video does - compresses the edited video.

Every edited HD video on youtube is compressed.

[arcanosai]

any DOF diy adapter on this video ?

[CryingWindmillFP]

no.

[laraecht]

wie viel hat die Kamera gekostet?

how much the camera cost?

sorry for my englisch

[CryingWindmillFP]

£500 (+£100 VAT + Import Duty)

[kingofskateop]

60i doesn't mean 60fps... If you use HDV (miniDV), HV20/30/40 records 60i even if you shoot in 24p... You need to remove pulldown for NTSC cameras to get a "native 24p". HDV records 1440x1080, but if you do a live capture from HV20/30/40 via HDMI, you will get full HD 1920x1080... You will get the best film look with 35mm DOF adapters, but "Magic Bullet Looks" is also a good AE plug-in for film look presets. Also f1.8 1/48 "0" Gain (exposure lock trick) PF24 Cine Mode gives you the film look!

[CryingWindmillFP]

Hey, I use Cineform AspectHD to do my 24p pulldown removal.

But I presume you are aiming this information at the viewers, so thanks, its pretty good stuff for newcomers I guess!

[thebestevernikeman]

I would like to know what color correction you used in sony vegas

[thebestevernikeman]

Hey what camera do would you recommend an hv30, an hg20, or a hf s100

[Bcf720]

and how do you make "film look" look different when activated, it always just looks the same 8(

[Bcf720]

ok, how do you shoot in 60i? can you tell me how to do it with the Hv30? just tell me link the path on how to turn it on. THAT WOULD BE GREAT! thanks!

[CryingWindmillFP]

When your camera is on Camera mode, press the Func. button (under the rec. button), go all the way down to menu, go to REC/IN SETUP. Press the first option and change it to just HDV. - this is the 60i option even though it doesnt mention 60i.

[Bcf720]

how would you change it to something different like what is PF30 and PF24 i tried them and they make everything all choppy..

[CryingWindmillFP]

Films are shot in 24fps (PF24) and most home videos are shot in 30fps (PF30). I don't think they look choppy at all. It may look choppy when you first change over to the option, but give the camera some time to adjust and it will look good. I advise you to shoot in 24fps when you want to make something look like a film.

I'm not aware of a "film look" option, although there is a Cinemode option on my camera.

[CryingWindmillFP]

To change the lighting a bit on the camera, you can set the exposure level by clicking the small "Set" button above the Func. button. Then navigating down until you find the Exp., then push up on the arrow to lock your exposure. You can then push left or right to manyally set the exposure and keep it locked there.

[WheresTheAnyKey1]

what is "rendering" how do you get such nice colors ?

[mizzin]

u should lock exposure.. but anyway nice, good detail

[Danfango700]

wow..... just wow.... awesome

sorry if you've already answered this but what kind of tapes do you use? im getting an hv30 for my birthday (today) and id like to know how to get the absolute best quality as soon as possible!

[CryingWindmillFP]

Thanks, I use JVC MiniDV 63ME High Definition tapes.

You might want to scroll through the comments on most of my videos - I gave out some good info you will need to know when you get the cam :)

- You wont be dissapointed with it btw :P

[AdrienneFrailey]

I want this camera now. *sigh...*

(And beautiful location, btw.)

[YLOSABEZ]

i have a question..please answer me

i have now a canoon hv30..i want put muy videos in youtube in nfullsize ...what kind of format i need for put in iqual resolution and size /how you

iam peruvian,..sorry for understandme and thanks for all...

rodo

[CryingWindmillFP]

Do some research, read your camera manual, use google etc etc.

[RobinMoviesOffical]

1280X720 1900X1080 640X320.

[CryingWindmillFP]

No, thats quite wrong! It's - 1920x1080 - 1440x1080 - 1280x720 - for HD

[RobinMoviesOffical]

Yeah but for HQ widescreen is 640X320 great if you have a good setting. I forget allways the HD. To much numbers. :P

[FlixCreEightR]

now this is art! Love the footage and what you did to the color.

[kalaniman1movies]

did you colour correct in post?

[kilymat]

lol, no no, its all from the camera, haha, of course its post

[LeoGS400]

Boy, you rock! Please, what settings have the color corrector you use? I also have the HV30 and Vegas 9...

[CryingWindmillFP]

Sorry my color correcting methods are going to be kept secret :P

[KJPmedia]

im guessing you do it in final cut, or another professional video editing software, where you play around with the colors, and shadows, btw its a great vid

[studi07]

Oh, color touch up? Yeah, you made dirt look like gold! Ha

[naruto3286]

omg that was good ,but when you filmed tha t,did you put any ekstra things on the camera ?

[CryingWindmillFP]

No extra things, its completely the camera itself. (With colour correction in post editing ofc)

[banjoboy15]

LOL!! Dude you seem like a nice guy! your answering everyones Questions!!! Un believeable! LOL! Great video by the way! You just showed me into getting one! Are you using anykind of lens? 1-10 how would you rate this camera??

[CryingWindmillFP]

No lense and I want to give it a 10 because im so satisfied with it.

[pikfissepikpik]

How exactly do you transfer the footage to your computer? Is it a hassel compared to HDD? And what about the editing - is that any different? I don't own a HV30 (yet!) but it just seems so old school to record onto a tape.

Oh and; great video by the way! I really like the shot at 1:40-1:45

[CryingWindmillFP]

You need to buy a firewire card for your computer, then you play the tape and it records onto the computer at the same time. So if you have 60 mins of footage, it will take 60 mins to get onto your harddrive. You'll only experience bad editing with a bad computer, other than that, no problems.

And tape seems to give better quality :P

[jejeson]

btw cryingwindmillfp, i really love your colors, looks so well color corrected... what were your settings for youtube uploading? the quality of my uploads always forces me to delete them immediately coz no matter what i do, it sucks even in high quality or hdv mode..

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

Would the Canon HSF10 or HS10's quality be better? :]

[CryingWindmillFP]

Why? Is the quality here not good enough for you? :P

And I have no idea, compare them from youtube videos. I just know that this is one of the preferred HD cameras. (Excluding the XLR cameras)

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

I can't tell I can't watch in HD I have a very slow Pentium 4 PC which won't play HD stuff smoothly or nicely! I just don't like tape-based camcorders I prefer HDD ones! :P

[CryingWindmillFP]

I'm sure that tape cameras produce better quality though.

[MandeepGadgetBoy]

Yeah that's because they don't compress the video. I like HDD or memory based cameras...all I gotta do is shove the USB cable or memory card into my computer, not spend endless minutes transfering video from tape onto computer.

[CryingWindmillFP]

I thought you were looking for better quality :P

[J0hnCl0sed]

use the vegas pro 9

[CryingWindmillFP]

Why? Is there something wrong with 7?

[J0hnCl0sed]

i think vegas pro 9 have a new things about renderes etc etc

[gudeproduction2006]

Really beautiful!! :-)

I want this camera as well :-( :D

Greets

[bouchandre]

love the depth of field at 0:48

[MaximumProductionz]

Beautiful film, really shows what this camera can do. Loved it. Corey

[MrsClank]

Wow, looks amazing

[xemmielove]

Can you please tell me how to upload videos in such a good quality??. I mean every time If I record a video and load them on youtube. The quality of the video is really bad. I have the same camera!

[SneiseSjef]

If you use sony vegas or something like that, try to upload you're videos in a HD format. There are several tutorials around if you search :)

[ParkourKings]

depends on how you render the video, try and make you render settings as high as possible and as conpressed as possible.

[rockaugust]

hey cool stuff. i just got my hv30 and its freaking awesome!  check my vids out. i also use sony vegas.

[TACTICALGURU]

What editing software works best for the HV30. I have one and my computer won't recognize the camera.

[CryingWindmillFP]

Well I use Sony Vegas. Its a capture video tool.

You need a firewire card installed into your computer and a firewire cable to connect the camera to it.

Mine only cost £5 with the cable included. (Amazon)

[gabriellakey]

I just ordered a Canon HV 40 to go along with my XH A1- the quality of your footage is tremendous. I love the cinematic lighting effect you used. Was that done in-camera or in post production? NIce work!

[CryingWindmillFP]

Yes it was done in post production. You should check out my other video 'You, me and the Canon HV30' I'm satisfied with the quality of that one the most :)

[Cycartha]

HV30= Better definition than Reality!

[Buhbing]

haha so true

[Bonesone4]

I was looking into getting the HG20 but after seeing your comments I think I'm swayed to the HV30. Is that the newest model?

[CryingWindmillFP]

The newest is the HV40. I dont know the difference though.

[gillvane]

Newest model is the HV40. The Hv30 does 24p in a 60i wrapper, the HV40 does true 24p.

If you use Sony vegas to edit, it doesn't matter.

[Trandofir]

Hey, I'm looking to get a camcorder. It's a throw up between HV30 and HF10.  Why didn't you get the HF10?

[CryingWindmillFP]

I hadnt heard of it! Im perfectly satisfied with the HV30 anyway. I'd research into the two if I were you.

[provid1234]

i got the hv30 over the hf10 for multiple reasons. One, the hv30 has a manual focus dial, while the hf10 has a joystick mechanism which is really annoying. The hv30 is tape while the hf10 is tapeless. They both are efficient codecs, but tape is good for backups. Finally, the hv30 has a full sized hot shoe which is better more professional accessories (mics, lights, hard drives).