 The Latest Revision of an Excellent Camcorder |
| Review Date: June 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lon J. Seidman, CT |
Over ten years ago I bought Sony's legendary TRV-900. It was a consumer camera so good and so ahead of its time that it remained on the market for four years - an eternity in the consumer electronics industry.
Canon has a similar product in their HV series HDV camcorders. They released such an outstanding camera two years ago with the HV20 that the two new models since (the HV30 and now the HV40) are really just small refinements of a mature and well designed product.
**NEW FEATURES**
So let's get one thing out of the way up front: There really isn't much of a difference between this camera and last year's HV30 (which was a small upgrade on the superb HV20). As an HV20 owner, I felt right at home when this arrived and I powered it up. Video quality is about the same, they look pretty much the same, and overall performance is the same too.
What is different is the addition of true 24P recording which offers a more film-like frame rate over the standard 30 frames per second. It should be noted that prior versions of this camera (as well as Canon's AVCHD models) also shoot 24P but that mode requires additional software to get to "true" 24P video when editing. You'll want to check to ensure that your editing software supports true 24P footage as it's not a configuration that is on many consumer cameras.
**AVCHD OR HDV?***
If you're reading this it's likely that you're in the market for a new camcorder. It's also likely that you're confused over the multitude of different formats currently available: hard disk, flash memory, tape, etc. etc.
Despite the many recording mediums, the current crop of consumer cameras can be delineated into two camps: AVCHD (the hard disk and flash based cameras) and HDV (tape based).
HDV cameras have two advantages over their AVCHD counterparts. The first, while not as compelling a reason as a year ago, is compatibility. HDV was the first consumer HD format and is almost universally supported by just about every video editing software package released over the last three to four years. In addition the HV40 can also shoot in the older standard definition DV format, a format so old that even software and hardware from ten years ago can work with the footage.
Another factor to consider is the firewire port. Want to record directly to your PC or Mac? Or perhaps do a live broadcast to UStream or Stickam? HDV cameras like the HV40 stream compressed video in realtime over Firewire, something the AVCHD cameras don't do.
Still, Canon's AVCHD cameras are now recording at a higher bitrate and with a more advanced video compression algorithm that makes for better image quality. Canon's flash based cameras, like the outstanding VIXIA HFS100, are mostly solid state and lack the complex (and delicate) machinery of a tape-based camcorder like the HV40.
**CONCLUSION**
Canon's HV20 was a very mature product right at launch and that maturity continues in this iteration. Still, there's nothing so compelling in the HV40 that makes it a necessary upgrade for HV30 or HV20 owners. For first time buyers, if you're able to pick up an older model at a lower price you won't be making much of a sacrifice in terms of features. It's a great camera, just not any greater than the prior versions!
For most consumers HDV cameras are old technology. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the HV40 is the last tape-based camcorder Canon releases to market. AVCHD has matured to the point that I am now recommending that to friends over HDV based cameras. AVCHD's lack of moving parts combined with the very low cost of flash memory makes it tough to recommend the bulkier mechanical alternatives like the HV40.
If, however, you're using an older computer or need to stream video live the HV40 is one of the best (if not the best) HDV consumer cameras on the market.
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The HV40 Continues Canon's Dominance of the Consumer HDV Market
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| Review Date: June 28, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Harley, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania United States |
The Canon HV40 is basically a slightly improved Canon HV30 (which itself was a slightly improved HV20), with a few extra features. The HV line has been very popular the past few years and has a devoted following of fans and enthusiasts. There are even web sites devoted to the HV line. So if you wish to research the HV line in-depth, the resources are definitely there. Moving on to the HV40 in specific, the biggest new feature is 24P recording which offers footage more comparable to real film. To be honest, I doubt this feature will matter or make a difference to the average consumer, but for film students, enthusiasts, and professional videographers, it offers more creative control and that true "cinema" effect. There are plenty of sample videos posted on the web demonstrating the effect of 24P (and the HV40 itself). The HV40 maintains the Canon HV line reputation of being the cream of the crop among consumer HDV cameras. However, with AVCHD significantly closing the gap, both in image quality and compatibility, with HDV this past year, the HDV format is disappearing rapidly from the consumer market. The excellent image quality of the latest ACVHD cameras now surpasses HDV. Coupled with the speed and convenience of tape less recording, this makes AVCHD an almost irresistible choice if you are currently shopping for a video camera. Although I agree AVCHD is the more future-proof choice, there are several compelling arguments to consider the HV40. First, and most importantly, is its backward compatibility with HDV or SD mini-DV. If you have a library of mini-DV tapes, you can play them and capture to PC with this camera. Your existing video editing software (if any) is also more likely to be compatible with the HDV format, even if it's a few years old. Also, as I mentioned earlier, although ACVHD has made great progress, it's still not the most system friendly format. This can be a major hurdle if you have an underpowered or older PC. On a single core or budget CPU system, AVCHD may likely give you significant headaches. In fact, if your system is really old or underpowered enough, you may have to add a system or video card upgrade into the budget if you wish to use AVCHD files beyond basic capture. If you're simply looking for a high-definition video camera that you can use with your existing software and system, yet still capture amazing footage, the HV40 is a good choice, especially if you already use mini-DV. Another consideration is storage. HDV is self-contained. You can capture, edit, burn a DVD, and delete the footage from your system to preserve disk space, yet still have a backup of your footage on a cassette. With AVCHD, you have to allocate permanent storage space on a hard drive or burn your captured files to optical disk as backup, the latter being very inefficient with current 4.7GB DVD's. Of course, the downside with HDV is that you have to purchase tapes, but they are pretty cheap these days, especially for multi-packs. You can use regular mini-DV tapes. There is no requirement or need to purchase more expensive HDV specific tapes. This is strictly a personal choice. Frankly, I've tried both and see no difference between the two. And although AVCHD does not require tapes, you do have to buy SDHC cards for card-only models and/or an additional hard drive (internal or external) to efficiently back up your footage, especially with hard drive or solid state drive models. So the costs even out in the long run. Although the Canon HV line may no longer be king of the consumer video hill, the HV40 can easily hold its own in video quality against all but the very best consumer AVCHD cameras. Even then, the difference is slight at best. I have captured footage from both formats under similar shooting conditions on both PC and Mac. The HV40 performed admirably against AVCHD. In a lot of instances, the HDV footage was even noticeably better than AVCHD. Not all AVCHD cameras are created equal. You may or may not get a decent AVCHD camera, depending on your research. In some cases, you may actually take a step backwards in quality. All the sophisticated electronics in the world can't correct bad optics, sensors, and poor auto-focus performance. The HV40 slams the ball out of the ballpark on all three features, thanks to Canon optics & sensor, and swift reliable auto-focus. This brings me to my final point of comparison, watching and sharing video. After the footage is shot, if all you wish to do is connect the camera directly to your high-def television and play the footage through the camera, AVCHD might (and I can't emphasize the word "might" enough) be the hands-down winner. However, most people want to burn their memories to DVD. In this case, unless you have a drive capable of burning high-definition blu-ray disks and a compatible stand-alone blu-ray player to play them on, your footage will be encoded into a standard definition DVD anyhow. Footage from the HV40 will perform this type encoding quicker and more efficiently. Honestly, until high-definition blu-ray burners become more affordable, much of the high definition performance for either format is wasted unless you encode video files in high-definition for viewing on computer or, as I said earlier, plan to simply playback footage through the camera. The form factor and dimensions of the HV40 are identical to the HV30. One complaint that I, and many others, had with the HV30 was the awkward feeling in your hand. For some reason the HV40 did not feel quite as awkward. They appear identical, so I think I just got accustomed to the feel of the HV30. The only visible difference (besides the new name), is the change in name of the button on the lens barrel, from "BLC" to "Custom". The newly named button offers additional exposure and focus assist options in addition to the back light compensation of the former "BLC" button. Otherwise, the HV40 is virtually identical to the HV30.
Performance is great, as expected. Video is very clear, with crisp colors and razor sharpness. Performance definitely on par with its predecessors, the HV20 and HV30.I have not personally tried the 24P mode, however, as I mentioned earlier, there are several examples of this feature readily available on the web. Bright light recordings were sharp, vivid, and clear. Low light capability was pretty good with minimal noise unless the light was really dim. I've achieved okay footage by candle light, although it definitely starts to show limitations under such extreme dim light conditions. Auto focusing was fast and spot-on, especially the instant AF which quickly switches focusing from one object to another as you switch perspectives or angles. There is a choice to use manual focus which sometimes comes in handy with difficult focusing situations such as zooming in on objects at a certain distance or objects without enough contrast for the auto focus. Once again, there is plenty of test footage of the HV line readily available on the web. Sound was good, especially for a tape camera. There was no noticeable noise from the tape transfer mechanism unless you were recording in near silent conditions. Even then, it was minimal. The HV40 also has 3.1MP still picture capabilities with a few customizable features such as different metering and exposure options. Still pictures are adequate quality and comparable to low-end digicams. You will need to purchase a mini-SD card to capture pictures. Battery life was average.
The bundled software is a joke. It is literally useless for video. They bundle the same still-photo application (Zoombrowser EX for PC/Imagebrowser 6.2 for Mac) that is included with their digital still cameras but nothing for capturing or editing video. Fortunately, the HV40 is compatible with most editing software from the past few years. As for built-in video software, only the Vista Home Premium and Ultimate versions of Windows Movie Maker will capture and edit HDV. However, one caveat is that it is converted into a proprietary Microsoft format after capture. If you want a cross-platform friendly file, use a third-party app. On the Mac side, users should have no problems with any version of iMovie. (Thanks yet again Apple, for keeping things simple. And this is from a PC-biased guy!) Export options include firewire and USB 2. I prefer and use firewire on both Mac and PC. There are also component and HDMI outputs for connecting to a high definition TV. Thankfully, the HDMI connector is standard size, so you can use an existing HDMI cable if you have one, rather than buying the specialized one most cameras require. As usual, component cables are included but no HDMI cable. They also include a remote.
All in all, the HV40 improves on a time tested and proven model. Going back to the HV20, the HV line has consistently offered top quality, features, and performance. The HV40 is the latest in that outstanding line and offers a very compelling option for some not to jump on the AVCHD bandwagon just yet. |
Stunning great video with terrific extras
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| Review Date: July 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Minatel, Fishers, IN USA |
Wow. The first time you see your own movies in High Def, there's nothing to say but wow. The Canon Vixia HV40 is easy to use and delivers great video quality. If you're serious about capturing video that will last, this camera is a great choice.
I've had the camera about a week and shot several hours of video. Here are some of the positives I've found immediately:
1. Of course the image quality is breathtaking. Whether you are playing it back on a HD TV or on a PC, the picture quality will blow you away.
2. The 10x optical zoom is super fast and responsive. If anything, you'll find yourself having to slow down your zooming.
3. It comes with some great pre-programmed special use settings like sports, fireworks, snow, beach, night. I've already had a chance to use the sports, fireworks, and night settings and the video quality from each is incredible.
4. The built in still image camera which can shoot and save photos to a miniSD card even while recording video has excellent picture quality. It also benefits from the camera's 10x optical zoom. And, if you're shooting video in high def while taking pictures, the wide 16x9 aspect ratio almost gives your photos a panoramic view.
5. I think the built in still camera is good enough to replace my 2 year old Canon PowerShot. Except in rare cases where I just don't want to carry the slightly larger video camera, I can't see why I'd ever use a separate point-and-shoot still camera again.
6. The video quality is great even in low light settings (we got some great shots in dimly lit indoor zoo exhibits), in changing light (like animals roaming from run to shade), and even in near total darkness. The fireworks setting did a great job capturing fireworks video which I think is one of the hardest things for a consumer video camera to do well.
Some of the other features of this camera that you'll like are:
It's lightweight. The video controls are natural and easy to use. It shoots on standard MiniDV tapes, which seems to be one of the most popular tape formats for the last 5-10 years. If you've already got a an older MiniDV camcorder, you'll know these are easy to find. It's got all the connectivity (USB for photos, firewire for video) you'd expect and more. The lens cover is integrated and opens automatically. Still cameras have been doing this for years and as someone who's shot a lot of video of the inside of a lens cap, I'm happy to see this auto-open lens cover on a video camera now. Although I haven't tried any yet, it does accept some accessory microphones and lights.
For what it's worth, I did all of my shooting on standard MiniDV tapes. The manual recommends "High Def" tapes (see #3 below on why the manual isn't too useful) but I can tell you for sure: standard MiniDV tapes shoot high def video just fine. I can't see any reason to spend the 2-3 times more for the supposed "high def" tapes.
Some areas that may be plusses to some, negatives to others: I love that this camera captures HD video to a standard tape format, MiniDV. This lets me connect it to my PC and capture the raw video via firewire and convert it to practically any format I want. However, this does mean that there's an extra step for me that you wouldn't have if you were using a video camera that captures straight to a small hard drive or flash drive. That extra step though gives me higher quality video options as well as the ability to save and keep the original tapes in case I ever want to recapture the originals in a different format.
Integrated battery charger: The charger is part of the camera, not a separate device. The plus here is you can charge the battery with the camera plugged in and running (either shooting or playback). The minus is, you can't charge one battery while playing back with another.
Some things you may need to consider upgrading:
1. You'll probably want a 2nd battery. The included battery shoots for close to a full hour for me, using the camera the way that I think most people will - with the LCD viewscreen open and pausing, stopping, starting every few minutes. That's good but you'll probably want more battery life.
2. If you've got Windows Vista, Windows 7, or a Mac with a recent version of iMovie, you can capture HD video from the camera to your PC and do basic editing. But, no video capture software is included with the camera, not even a trial. Considering what you're spending to get a very good video camera though, you'll probably want to invest a little more and get some good video editing software.
3. The manual leaves a lot to be desired. Like most manuals, it tells you where all the buttons are and steps through all the menus, but does little to explain where or why to use them. Case in point, one of the auto-program settings is for a "cinematic mode." Unless you are a film school student, you're probably as stumped as I am on why 24p is more "cinematic" than the standard setting and the manual does nothing to explain it. |
Canon didn't mess with a winning formula!
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| Review Date: July 1, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Damodar Chetty, Minnesota, US [www.swengsol.com] |
#-#-#-[ Why this rating? ]-#-#-#
I can be described as an enthusiastic, or even compulsive, photographer and videographer. I always travel with a camera and a camcorder in tow, and run through multiple cassettes and GBs of photographs (I shoot in RAW mode) each month. [What I may lack in aptitude, I make up for in volume.]
I've owned an HV20 for over 2 years now, and I am still absolutely enthralled by its performance. What can I say, its one of the few camcorders that has an entire web site and an active community built around it.
Canon realized that they had a winner on their hands with the exceptional HV20, and rather than messing with a winning formula, they smartly decided to simply provide relatively minor upgrades with the HV30 and now, the HV40. What this means is that if you are considering this camcorder, then the professional reviews for both the HV20 and the HV30 will apply just as well.
[One theory is that the HV20 was made so well that Canon could not improve it without cannibalizing the sales of it's professional models.]
The image quality with this camcorder is excellent, the sound quality is fair to decent, and the power user features are plentiful (such as audio input levels and aperture control). Note that there are tips online that walk you through the process of unlocking the full range of aperture control with this camcorder.
Therefore, in my opinion, this camcorder is truly at the pinnacle of "convenience" and "performance"; while not quite qualifying for the top of the "innovation" food chain. For me, the first two characteristics far outweigh the third, placing it squarely at 5 stars ("I Love It!").
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For the patient reader, the details follow:
If you're even considering this camcorder you have to be thinking in terms of a really key decision: HDV/MiniDV or AVCHD/HDD+Flash Memory? A prior reviewer has covered this well but as I've pondered this question over and over again in the past few years, I'll add my 2 cents, for what its worth.
#-#-#-[ Tape vs. HDD or Solid State/Flash Memory ]-#-#-#
I'm firmly in the "tape" camp for the following reasons:
a) It's an instant archival mechanism. I can't be bothered to get into a serious workflow for every hour of footage I shoot.
b) It's cheap. Even a high quality tape is fairly economical.
c) It's robust. I have tapes from 1991 that still work just fine.
d) It's a permanent master. I can always go back and encode my original 8mm tapes to the format du jour.
e) It's available. I can get tapes anywhere in the world I go. (In reality, I don't use tapes other than the Panasonic professional tapes like the AY-DVM63AMQ which use a dry lubricant.)
However, it is highly likely that the future belongs to solid state based camcorders, for the following reasons:
a) They don't have any moving parts, making them smaller, lighter, and quieter.
b) You can seek to specific areas quickly, and can easily reclaim storage when deleting poor recordings.
c) Transferring video files from flash memory to disk is much quicker.
#-#-#-[ HDV vs. AVCHD ]-#-#-#
The decision here has both objective and subjective overtones, with true believers entrenched in both camps.
I'm allied with the HDV camp (for now) because:
a) I honestly believe that the current quality of HDV is much better.
b) It places only modest demands on my computing hardware and software when editing video.
c) When I buy a HDV camcorder, I guarantee that I will be able to play back my old tapes a bit longer into the future. I intend to use my HV20 to playback my tapes, and my HV40 for new recordings. [I also use a rewinder; and an external AC charger - to increase my camcorder's life expectancy.]
However, it is highly likely that the future belongs to AVCHD for the following reasons:
a) It is the format used by Solid State camcorders, and they are likely to rule the future.
b) It supports Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
c) It supports true 1920x1080 progressive video, whereas the HDV standard is limited to 1440x1080i.
d) It is not bandwidth limited by the HDV tape speed.
e) Most of the problems with AVCHD are teething troubles that will be fixed as machines become more powerful, and as camcorders and editors become smarter at encoding video.
#-#-#-#-[ Differences from the HV20 ]-#-#-#-#
The HV40 comes with an extended strength BP-2L13 battery.
It replaces my silver HV20 with a black body, and a 30p progressive recording mode - which is better for video that will end up on the Internet (where video generally runs at 15 fps).
I have to note however that I do not like the "film" look of 24P video - as the blurring it generates tends to leave me with a headache. The 30P video is a bit better, but not by much. As a result, I have continued to use standard 1080i HDV, which is wonderfully detailed and sharp, and handles fast moving children very comfortably indeed.
There's a custom button that you can program on the lens barrel; a nicer zoom lever; and a hotshoe cover that actually stays on. (My HV20's hotshoe cover has long gone to the great lost-and-found bin in the sky.)
The HV40 also comes with a full size HDMI connector. Yay!
I cannot really tell the difference between the recording generated by my HV20 and my HV40. To my eye, they are just as good.
I found the sound to be slightly better than before - but I'd still recommend an external microphone for good results. The onboard mic is notorious for picking up tape noise and menu clicks. The Rode Stereomic is my personal choice, as I mostly shoot family and friends. However, you may need a more directional mic if you are going for serious audio use.
The built-in light is almost useless - so get yourself a better light if you need one. I have the Canon video light which works well in a pinch.
I have a pair of Sennheiser HD280 PRO headphones that work very well with this camcorder. However, the Headphone jack is shared with the AV output, so you must remember to make the right selection before you plug in your headphone.
Happy Recording!
- Damodar
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Incredible picture and easy to use
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| Review Date: July 7, 2009 |
| Reviewer: M. Kelley, Boston, MA United States |
I am writing this review from the standpoint of an amateur that uses video mostly to capture family moments. I am nowhere near an expert and have no use for heavy duty video editing and/or movie making. I am simply upgrading from a Canon SD mini DV camcorder so I can view my home videos on our HD tv's.
Since I have owned another Canon Mini DV camcorder (ZR85), I was quite familiar with the setup of the HV40. Very basic to use and can be run right out of the box with little to no adjustments. For the casual user like me, it has its "auto" mode to help us along. The only adjustments I played around with was changing the type of video from standard HD to 24fps and 30fps. It is easy to adjust just about any feature using the LCD screen and menu functions.
Upon firing this thing up, the first thing I noticed was how bright the picture looked in the LCD screen. my older ZR85 was terrible indoors and in low light. The HV40 seems to have built in adjusters that brighten everything up so picture came out crisp and clear. No more issues with low light. I ended up bringing this to a day trip to an amusement park with my 2 year old and recorded about 45 minutes worth of video. The battery meter never flickered so the battery life is way better than my ZR85 that would barely give me 45 minutes on a full charge.
Now, my only complaint about the camera is as follows....And I must state that this fault is not the camera but rather my knowledge and/or functionality of my computer for editing.
***Editing video that is recorded in HD is much more involved than SD***
So let me begin by saying that I normally use the fully featured...cough cough... Windows Movie Maker to edit my videos. I run a somewhat powerful desktop that has an AMD dual core 5200 (2.6ghz) machine with 4GB RAM and a 256mb GEforce 7900GT video card. I am also running a dual boot with XP and Vista (both home media editions). I would think that my computer has enough power and resources to edit HD video. However, I am having problems on my XP drive.
My computer recognized and installed the necessary drivers for the camera while on my XP drive. I opened up Movie Maker and tried to import the video. Movie Maker did not recognize my camera in any way so I was unable to import it. I rebooted to Vista and I was able to upload the video via Movie Maker here.
The format that uploaded was a Microsoft Recorded TV Show format. Never seen that before but the 45 min movie was a huge file (about 9GB) so I knew that the file was preserved in its HD format. Using Movie Maker in Vista, I was able to edit and do my thing but when I went to convert the file to some other format, it was going to take about an hour so I decided to cancel it and do it later.
I rebooted to my XP drive and tried to open the original file I uploaded but Windows Media Player will not play it. It briefly recognizes audio but then gives me an error message and shuts down. I am using the latest release of WMP so that shouldn't be the problem.
I went back to my Vista drive and successfully opened the file (just to see if I could play it) and I noticed the video was playing very choppy. It appears that my system does not contain enough power/RAM/video memory to fully play a HD vide....Hmm...
Haven't figured this all out yet but I wanted to relay my story for those of you that are like me and just want a camera that is easy to use. The HV40 is a very advanced camera in my opinion with features most of us will never use. Would I recommend it for the quality...Yes...the picture is beautiful when hooked up to an HD TV. Would I recommend it for the family looking to get quick video that is easy to share with others....No!! I would suggest a hard drive based camera or one of the flash memory ones that easily hook up to your PC or can be uploaded to Facebook, Youtube, etc... The Canon HV40 is more for the power user looking for the best picture and (what I would guess is the best) format for video editing assuming you have the power and software.
Any suggestions on the XP problem I am having is greatly appreciated.
***Update**** November 5, 2009
I had the ooportunity to shoot almost an hour and a half of hi-def content while on a 4 wheel drive excursion last weekend. Lucky for me I upgraded to Windows 7 and had no issues loading and editing the video using Microsoft's Live Movie Maker (Part of Windows Live Essentials which can be dowloaded for free). Editing the video was as easy as can be and I was able to automatically upload everything to Youtube. While the HD looks great on the uploaded video, it is truly amazing looking on my computer and when the camcorder is hooked up to my TV. I recorded all of the video on the HD30 setting.
So I am happy I no longer have the issues when I was on XP. I can finally get my videos online rather than just keep them stored on tape. One thing I did do besides the Win 7 update was I changed video cards on my computer. The Geforce 7900Gt 256mb card was great 3 years ago but I found that I needed more dedicated memory to truly appreciate the HD video this camera took. So for about $80, I grabbed one of the entry level Geforce 9000 cards with 1gb of RAM (Geforce 9500GT). Made a huge difference.
Based on my exprience, if you plan on doing any HD editing, I would recommentd at least 512mb of dedicated video memory or you may end up putting too much strain on your computer.
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