Posted by Smarty on 12/22/07 02:56

I have been gushing enthusiastically about the HV20 since I got mine 10
months ago.

Despite the plastic and non-ruggedized case, this camcorder is seriously
competent, hardly a toy, and just blows away my prior Sony TRVs, VX, FX-1
and other 3 chip cameras. It would be a bargain in my humble opinion if it
were to sell for twice its' recently lowest advertised price of $699.

Traditional views and reactions I originally encountered on these newsgroups
doubted and challenged the merits of a 1 sensor CMOS design, the weakness of
MPEG2 / HDV, and the general notion that such things may possibly exist
which transcend the old true and tested VX, TRV900, etc. Once you have
either owned an HV20 or seen the actual results shooting with the HV20,
these opinions are quickly revised.

Since the HV20 was introduced in the U.S. nearly one year ago, it is quite
likely that they will again (possibly at CES) release yet a newer model in
February.

I, for one, am eagerly awaiting this next launch, anticipating the
possibility that some or all of the relatively minor criticisms voiced in
this and other Internet threads will be addressed. Even if they make no
substantial improvements, the HV20 will remain an instant classic in my
opinion, breaking new ground in an area in which Sony once had substantial
headway.

Smarty



"Chip Gallo" <cgallo@NOSPAMcitlink.net> wrote in message
news:kJUaj.735$Sa1.726@news02.roc.ny...
> David Ruether wrote:
>> "Chip Gallo" <cgallo@NOSPAMcitlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:PJQaj.785$7d1.130@news01.roc.ny...
>>> David Ruether wrote:
>>
>>>> Canon certainly "got their act together" on this one - the HV20 is one
>>>> heck of a good tiny 1-chip HD camcorder!
>> [...]
>>
>>> Thanks, Dave! You are preaching to the choir for me anyway.
>>>
>>> I have a video using the Canon WA adapter on a marching band, mixed with
>>> some hand held shot with the (old) Sony 3-chipper TRV900. Woof. Makes
>>> you want a second HV20 now now now.
>>>
>>> http://www.vimeo.com/chipgallo
>>>
>>> Chip
>>
>> Thanks. Fun! I'm curious how you miked this (it sounds good for
>> what it is). I like this kind of casual "recording" of whatever is
>> around...;-) And, if I were still doing "work" with video, I would
>> have immediately ordered one or two more of these little
>> wonders...;-) The image quality improvement over what was
>> previously considered good is VAST!
>> --DR
>
> On the audio, I blended the HV20 built-in mike with sound from an MKE300
> mounted on the TRV900. Then in post, all of that was run through iZotope
> mastering tools that come with Sound Forge 9. Those punchy drums were
> helped by multi-band compression and limiting.
>
> I agree that it's a gift when the quality of a sub-1K$ camera hits this
> level. Naturally I am waiting for Canon to do something like this in the
> $2K-3K realm and a bit more durable, but as soon as you ask for a lens
> mount, the prices climb quickly. It is a toy, but a really fun and useful
> one!
>
> Chip

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