HD Video Camera - Suggestions?

[DrinkMore]

From the sounds of it, were are going to Australia first part of 08. I want to come prepared and want to pick up an HD camcorder. Anyone have experience with these?

I have read some reviews and checked some sites and my gut feelings led me to Canon (love their digicams and own several). I am looking at the HV-20. So far its the best bang for your buck! Price range is 1k or less.. don't need Discovery HD equipment, but something better than what video was a few years ago.

Looked at the Sony's. Not terrible impressed with the reviews and other items.

[Blue]

It depends on what you want to do with them. The Canon claim of being 1080p is a con. The sensor is 1080p but it gets downconvereted to 1440 (or whatever it is) x 1080 (The HD-DV standard). Although my requirements are outside the normal use of video camera, I have only been able to find 2 Sony's that are suitable. Hopefully the about to be released Sony's will be greatly improved.

[HDJK]

How about the new JVC Everio HD7? It's the first consumer camcorder with real Full HD

[NutsAboutPS3]

I have a Sony HC3E. It may be only 1440x1080i, but the results are MILES better than SD quality when played back on my 1366x768 TV via HDMI (direct HDMI connection from the camera).

To be honest, the main limiter of quality is holding the thing steady enough, a proper video tripod would make the biggest difference to how professional the end result looks.

[HDJK]

Originally Posted by NutsAboutPS3

To be honest, the main limiter of quality is holding the thing steady enough, a proper video tripod would make the biggest difference to how professional the end result looks.

So true. Looking at our homevideos makes my head spin because of all the shaking...

[javayoda]

I just got the Canon HV20. Great camera...excellent output, small, intuitive.

It's the first consumer HD cam to record true 24P.

Currently the HDV standard is still the best for consumer cams. AVC shows too much compression and is difficult to edit (at this stage in the game).

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by Blue

It depends on what you want to do with them. The Canon claim of being 1080p is a con. The sensor is 1080p but it gets downconvereted to 1440 (or whatever it is) x 1080 (The HD-DV standard). Although my requirements are outside the normal use of video camera, I have only been able to find 2 Sony's that are suitable. Hopefully the about to be released Sony's will be greatly improved.

From what I hear, it goes from 1920x1440 to 1920x1080

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by HDJK

How about the new JVC Everio HD7? It's the first consumer camcorder with real Full HD

Reviews on that are not good at all. Everyone still points to the Canon HV-20.

[DrinkMore]

Originally Posted by javayoda

I just got the Canon HV20. Great camera...excellent output, small, intuitive.

It's the first consumer HD cam to record true 24P.

Currently the HDV standard is still the best for consumer cams. AVC shows too much compression and is difficult to edit (at this stage in the game).

Unless Canon or another company comes out with something better, the HV20 looks to be the winner here.

[Shadowself]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

From what I hear, it goes from 1920x1440 to 1920x1080

My understanding is that it is a maximum of 1440 x 1080. It does not to 1920 x anything. This is fairly typical of both consumer and "prosumer" grade HD cameras.

Unfortunately, because they do 1080 lines they still call them HD cameras. Many people believe they are getting 1920 x 1080, but they're not.