White Balance Checks: Canon HV30, Sony HDR-FX7 and Sanyo HD700

[nytrini2005]

Hey any idea why ur video's not around any longer?

[VisorBlue]

Must have been a Youtube glitch. It's playing now.

[TTJ669]

im thinking of buying the Sony HDR-FX7 but I also need to get a Macbook and Final Cut Express 4. While im saving up for the laptop and software, can i record in SD or only in HD. thxs

[VisorBlue]

Yes, you can record to SD and HD. You can also shoot in HD and downconvert to SD. Advantage is that you'll have HD on the tape later should you want it.

Careful, make sure the MacBook has a Firewire port. Apple removed the Firewire port from the newest MacBooks, only the MacBook Pro has Firewire now. The new iMovie in iLife 09 looks pretty decent. Good luck!

[TTJ669]

thank you. im new to HD so how do you downconvert to SD. Could you give me some tips or maybe a website with how to do it. thxs

[VisorBlue]

It's a feature of the FX7, it has a down convert function. There's some video related web sites with forums on the FX7, HD, HDV and video in general that have lot of useful info. Youtube doesn't seem to allow links anymore. Let's try this way, you should be able to figure this out: sonyhdvinfo com and dvinfo net are two good ones. You can also get the PDF manual from Sony's sonystyle site, clicking on support and searching for HDR-FX7. Have fun!

[TTJ669]

thanks man.

[TTJ669]

I was checking out how you downconvert and everything and found out how to, but is there a mood on the camera that lets you just record in SD not Hd. Also if i use a non HD Mini DV, will the footage be in HD or SD. thxs

[VisorBlue]

Yes, there's a menu item where you set the record mode. For SD select "DV". If you use basic miniDV tape it will record in SD or HDV, depending on how you have the camera set. I use inexpensive Panasonic MiniDV tape, some others use a middle of the line version. Few people I know use the more expensive HDV labeled tapes. Recording in HDV gives you SD now and HDV later when you want it. Hate to wish I had shot in HDV in the future. Good luck!

[TTJ669]

ive got another question. I like to make snowboarding videos at night. We use portable work lights to make it alot brighter. Ive read that the Fx7 does not perform well in low light but ive read that is does pretty well in low light. What is your opinion.

[VisorBlue]

Different people have different ideas of exactly what low light is. I don't shoot in low light and haven't tried. I'd suggest joining one of the forums I mentioned earlier as there's a wealth of information and people with FX7's that can answer your questions and give tips. Since Sony reintroduced it at a lower price there's not really anything to compete against it. Good luck!

[RAM4486]

whats your favorite out of the three camcorder?

[VisorBlue]

You kidding? It's like picking a favorite kid. I love the Sanyo HD700 as it fits in a pocket and is usually with me (takes decent stills, too). Plus, it records on a SD card. The Canon HV30 has awesome image quality and is small enough to get into most places and is highly customized. The Sony HDR-FX7 rocks for the size, feel, manual controls and extra features but has excellent image quality, long zoom (20x), fast AF...