Why You Should Consider Buying An HDV Camera

From http://HowToSellYourVideos.com
I have to admit that I have trouble making large purchase decisions. Do you suffer from that too?

You find you have to weigh the pros and cons and sometimes decide to do nothing at all - for the moment.

That's what I did last November when I was wrestling with the choice of a new camcorder. You see, I have never had a real reason to move into high definition video production. My trusty Canon GL2 DV camcorders have served me long and well, and my computers happily edit DV material.

However, I can see the writing on the wall and it says "time to move on."

At the pace of change with this technology, I wanted to spend as little as possible to get into high definition until the "Next Big Thing" comes along, which I expect soon. I spent considerable time debating whether to buy the JVC GY-HM100 or the Panasonic AG-HMC40. I even wrote a comparison between the JVC GY-HM100 and Panasonic AG-HMC40 at http://howtosellyourvideos.com/2009/10/mighty-yet-small-hd-cameras-a-comparis... , two cameras I was deciding between. I consider both great values. Neither one uses tape and the Panasonic uses the AVCHD codec, and I had read so many stories about long transcoding times with AVCHD on a Mac that I was wary of going that way. And since both recorded to flash memory, I am uneasy about archiving my media, so... I just put it off.

Fast forward to two weeks ago...

Suddenly, two large projects plopped on my plate and I decided the time had arrived for me to make a mov. So here's what I did.

I found a Canon XH-A1s HDV camcorder on Craigslist at a great price, offered 10% less than the asking price, and got it, along with a Pelican case. Watch my video for a quick glance at it and a little explanation of why I bought it.

Yes, that's right. I didn't buy either of the two cameras I was looking at previously.

Some people will say that the XH-A1s is on its last legs, technologically. It records to tape, for heaven's sake, and it is HDV. Here are my reasons for choosing it:

As much as I don't like capturing from tape, it is the best and cheapest way to archive our videos. If I shot on flash media I either have to have a bunch of much more expensive cards which I store, or I move the video to hard drives or DVDs to store. If the hard drive crashes, and I've had 3 crash on me before so I know that is a very real and costly possibility. There is no going back. Storing on DVD could become an organizing nightmare if I shoot a lot of material, which I do. So, I'm still using tape for the time being.

Regarding the HDV format, I chose that because I priced out a new dream Mac and it cost upwards of $7,000. My current computer equipment will handle HDV. Some people say that HDV is an inferior HD format, but to my eyes it is a huge leap beyond DV and looks mighty good on an HD monitor. Besides, virtually all of the work I'm doing right now is going to the web, so HDV should be fine.

Finally, the XH-A1s has more switches and buttons and menu controls than any camera I've ever worked with. You can fine tune your image to a gnat's behind, even selecting color temperatures by 100 degree increments, loading all kinds of scene presets, and recording both external and on-camera mics at the same time. I love having separate iris, zoom and focus rings, along with component outs. It offers total manual control of every nuance of the video I'm recording.

So now I'm learning to use this beautiful camera. It's a tad heavy, but well balanced and oh so professional looking, and that counts for something, too. I considered just getting a Canon HV40, which shoots marvelous images and fits in my pocket. However, I wonder what a client would think when I show up to tape his $10,000 shoot with a camera that looks and feels like a toy.

Now you HV20, HV30 and HV40 owners don't get upset with me; I said these are marvelous cameras, they just doesn't look or feel like it. You can still produce professional looking videos with these cameras. I work with a local producer who is using them for a Vietnam documentary. It is incredible what quality most of the palm-corders are capable of today. In fact I shot this video post using only my Flip UltraHD camera which you can get at http://bit.ly/9P6clk. (They offer free shipping so you don't even have to drive to the store!)

Be sure you subscribe to our RSS feed at http://HowToSellYourVideos.com so you can stay tuned as I journal my experiences with the XH-A1s and my foray into the world of HDV.

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Education

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[TK42138]

Great channel.

Totally agree with you on not wanting to go to flash memory or hard drive. Seen too many hard-drives crash and memory flash cards can be fickle - even the high quality products. Okay, so tape mechanisms can jam up but I've got a 8mm Sony digicam and 10 year old tapes that still playback and record perfectly. HD is great if you have powerful pc, editing software and fast broadband. None of which I have at the moment.

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@TK42138 Since I posted this video on why I bought an HDV camera, I have purchased and am using some AVCHD cameras. But I still do a lot with my Canan HV30 because some of my computers aren't powerful enough to deal with the digital files.

[HowToSellYourVideos]

Update: since I shot this video a year ago I have gotten some AVCHD cameras and am shooting digital. I like the capturing aspect of digital, but transcoding for Final Cut Pro is a pain. Although USB drives are inexpensive and adequate as storage for video files, it takes a lot of time to transfer large files. It still seems like an awkward way to work.

[JacobShillander]

what tripod is that on the xha1s

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@JacobShillander That tripod is a Manfrotto 351MVB2 with a 503HDV fluid head.

[hobocamptheater]

what project types do you usually do:

recordings of great moments

or

fantasy short/feature films like dramas and stuff?

[HowToSellYourVideos]

@hobocamptheater I use this camera in my video production business and for my How To Sell Your Videos dot Com site. For my personal use, I like to use my Vixia HF20.

[formaset]

@ElvisRocksVinyl I'm sorry...I was too lazy to read your long reply...

[ElvisRocksVinyl]

@formaset LOL @ "shut the fuck up" ok this sums you up straight away fella, it's pretty sad and childish not to mention very arrogant you have to swear to get your point across. lol I know what... why don't you go the whole hog in proper youtube style and make personal insults, You are a disgrace to the film/photography profession, all I can say is your poor customers "if any"

[formaset]

@ElvisRocksVinyl You don't know how I conduct business. And yes, I do everything mu customers want. My business facebook is repleted with nothing but +!! I got 7 weddings from a single client by word of mouth for having the best camera work, behavior and c. service. Shut the fuck up.

[ElvisRocksVinyl]

@formaset You sir are rude! I'm surprised you have any customers with your attitude, If I run my film business like they way you do I would be bankrupt, if you are in this line of business then you film or convert to you customers needs as I do, I grew up with all formats so I don't mind what they ask for, In fact I had a wedding last month for an elderly couple that wanted the wedding shot with normal VHS! So you have to cater for everyone's needs or don't be in the business!

[formaset]

@panoramarick Because of ancient people, I hate to have to make a DVD AND blu-Ray I wish I could just make ONE FORMAT and everybody can view. it takes THIRTEEN hours to render, even on a Mac Pro 12 cores! it is just a pain in the ass. C'mon people! Everyone has a HDTV and Blu Ray player you can find at Blockbuster as CHEAP as $49!!!!!!!!!!!!NO EXCUSE to NOT have a BD player!

[panoramarick]

@formaset Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I now shoot all HD. However, as a service provider, you have to meet the needs of your market, and if they want SD DVDs, that's what you have to provide. Not everyone, by a long shot, has blu-ray. As you say, you make more money providing both formats. So what's the gripe?

[panoramarick]

@qwertyuiop61234 Since I produced this video I have gone tapeless. Lots of SDHC cards in my gear bag now.

[qwertyuiop61234]

go buy hd flash cards video tape are going out 16gb or 32gb will work and get nother comptuer and keep 4 hard drives and you will be fine

[XboxGamerKidd]

right now me having a sinus infection i cant hear you speak up and yes i have my laptop up as loud as it can go and it is loud