Hey guys, i'm new here, such a great site, i have been in video and photo and audio for years. I look forward to learning and contributing.

My first question, I have a Canon XH A1 and need a 2nd cam for weddings / ceremony only really, as I use only one at the reception. Then, of course bands, a 2nd cam is needed as well. I do have another videographer but incase he is unavailable, I need something.

I'm thinking of another XH A1 but think that may be overkill, as we only get a few video clients a year since I have been pushing photography more. I really want the HV30, and it would work great as a static cam by the drummer for band gigs! AND I suppose it would work great as a static cam at the church as well.

So my question is, do you think it's really necessary to go with another XH A1? AND, correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like the HD resolution on the XH A1 is 1440 X 1080 and the resolution of the HV30 is 1920 X 1080? Is this correct? How can it be that a smaller cam has more rez?!

Thanks!

Well, im still kind of new to the XHA1 but it seems you would end up with footage that would have two differnt looks. Seems that there would be a break in continuity. NOw also keep in mind that I have not seen footage from the HV30.

All you need to do is adjust the presets in the camera to get the footage to look pretty close. Take a look at this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/122484-colour-matching-hv30-xh-a1.html

As far as resolution goes, the resolution on both cameras end up recording 1440X1080 to tape because that is the standard for HDV.

My first question, I have a Canon XH A1 and need a 2nd cam for weddings / ceremony only really, as I use only one at the reception. Then, of course bands, a 2nd cam is needed as well. I do have another videographer but incase he is unavailable, I need something.


Bands and weddings you say... well, consider that the Canon XHA1 has a bigger, better 1/3 CCD chip, compared to the consumer 1 CMOS chip Canon hv20/30/40. You WILL probably be able to match up the two, especially by using the thread that Marcel links, but they are going to work differently in low light.

I'm assuming that your bands will be playing at clubs and stuff, and weddings don't always have the best lighting (or so I've heard). You may have trouble getting the HV30 to work as well in low light situations, especially with the concerts.

Nevertheless, search Vimeo for some concerts/wedding vids shot with a HV30 and see how you think it looks. I've personally never used one, so I can't be the authority on how it'll work for ya.

well, consider that the Canon XHA1 has a bigger, better 1/3 CCD chip, compared to the consumer 1 CMOS chip Canon hv20/30/40.

In fact the A1 has three, 1/3" chips and the HV30 has one.

I bought an HV30 a couple of weeks ago as a 2nd camera to my XH. I mainly record stage events for the web, so not too demanding. I recorded Tam White last week, using the HV30 to record the wide shots. Here's an example:

The Victim - Tam White & The Sermon Organ 3rio Festival Previews Video Blog (http://www.festivalpreviews.com/blog/1796/the-victim-tam-white-the-sermon-3rio)

I didn't use any presets, I just white balanced and lightened the HV30 video in post. I might try presets at some point.

Ian
Festival Video and Audio Previews - Festival Previews Ltd (http://www.festivalpreviews.com)

Thanks guys for the assistance! Ian, so, were you happy with the overall result? One of my friends / future videographer / suggested i buy 2 HV30s so we would have a 3 cam shoot as opposed to another XH A1 that will just be used some of the time....at weddings for an example...ceremony only. i see pros and cons and the HV30 couldn't hurt, especially on the steadicam / glidecam i have...would work wonders. the low light.... i will hit the searches and see what i find. i know the 3 ccd is going to be so much better. after the searches, i will have to weigh out saving $2000 by going with one HV30. of course if the footage is night and day, which i don't see happening, it wouldn't be worth it...but a $2000 savings, well, let's see what the footage looks like.

Ian, just saw the video, first link. I really liked it, and the HV30 looks GREAT for those wide shots! If i see some weddings that look good in the average church, i'm sold. For bands i'm not too concerned, as they have good lighting onstage most of the time!

Steve

was I happy with the HV30? I didn't have much time to play with it. I set it on Spotlight mode and just left it. I had to lighten the video in post. That said, this particular stage wasn't too well lit. The XH was wide open at 1/25th of a second and 0db gain.

The resultant footage was ok for my first attempt. When I get a chance, I'll try some of the other HV30 modes and tinker with the exposure. I think the answer is that I am indeed happy with it and should get more out of it as I get used to it.

It does have the advantage that it fits into the same flight case as the XH and costs a fraction of the price.

Ian
Festival Video and Audio Previews - Festival Previews Ltd (http://www.festivalpreviews.com)

I have both Cameras, although I have just acquired the XH-A1 so can't really yet give detailed comparisons. My initial feeling is that the 25fps mode of both cameras is quite similar, and the 'cinemode' function of the HV30, when combined with its 25fps mode, set at 1/50th Tv, looks reasonably similar, in my estimation, to the XH-A1 footage. Obviously, the XH A1 is a superior instrument, and the HV30 could NEVER quite equal it in image quality, but I am confident that with a little tinkering, these cameras can be matched as well as anything that you would care to try and match.

thanks guys. i checked out a lot of footage on vimeo of the HV30 and really do like it a lot. i'm sure i will be picking up one of these fine cameras. actually, i just can't think of a reason to NOT have one. it would really come in handy on a lot of shoots i'm sure. i always shoot in 29.97, and i'm not sure if the HV30 has that mode. i can't stand the video look of 60i and 24 looks a little too jerky so i go with the 29.97. if i get the HV30 i guess i will have to shoot in either 60 or 24.

thanks guys. i checked out a lot of footage on vimeo of the HV30 and really do like it a lot. i'm sure i will be picking up one of these fine cameras. actually, i just can't think of a reason to NOT have one. it would really come in handy on a lot of shoots i'm sure. i always shoot in 29.97, and i'm not sure if the HV30 has that mode. i can't stand the video look of 60i and 24 looks a little too jerky so i go with the 29.97. if i get the HV30 i guess i will have to shoot in either 60 or 24.
I'd double-check that if I were you. I have a memory that the US-version of the HV30 includes 30P as well as 24P and 60i. That was one of the changes over the original HV20. Of course, here in 50Hz PAL-land it's not an issue.

i'm looking at a hv 30 also, to get alternate angles for interviews (more variety and also to guard against drop out etc.), and because i can strap it to goofy moving things without having a heart attack....
anyway, i read that link and wondered why one would try to match the brilliant XH-A1, in camera, to a 'lesser' and apparently more hyped camera? why not CC the HV 30 in post and save the setting(s) for future projects?
anyway, i'd love to hear more from people who are using this dual camera set up, tips, suggestions, problems, wonderful advantages that make me want to give even more $$$$$ for gear!!! thanks.

for my first attempt, I did cc in post but my requirements are fairly relaxed as the video is intended to be seen on a web browser.

Others may need to attain higher standards for broadcast or client use and the match will be better if some matching is done by the cameras. I don't think that necessarily implies that the quality of the XH will be compromised.

Ian
Festival Video and Audio Previews - Festival Previews Ltd (http://www.festivalpreviews.com)

don't forget to use the hv30 as the capture deck :)

i'm now thinking of the HG20, hard disk recording.

does it do 30f?

I've recently got myself the XHA1s - love it. But I also use the HV30 as my second angle with filming wedding ceremony's. To the un-trained eye its hard to tell which is which from a quality standpoint. Particually since I always shoot in Cine mode. The HV30 may be small, and only have one chip, but you won't get any better for that price point.

actually ive shot a video with the HV30 as a behind the scenes camera for the A1. you can check them back to back here:

YouTube - Production Diaries Episode 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ineBr_80to8&fmt=18)

For what it is worth, I shoot with My XHA1 and use my HV30 as a capture and playback deck only. I picked it up from the Dell Store believe it or not for $500.00 on sale last November as a way of saving wear and tear on my XHA1 drive and internals.

I think the HV30 would make a fine B cam (if it's matched with the A1 to cut together better). 1 chip or not depending on the situation you should be just fine.

Honestly besides special circumstances, it'll be tough to tell the difference between a 3chip camera and 1chip camera (especially if its HD), when you put everything on a DVD. Granted it does depend on what your shooting (low light for instance), but honestly you should be good.

HV30 would be good for wide angle master shots of things, that especially is where it might come in handy.

I've had excellent luck shooting with an A1 and one or two HV30s. Here's a shoot I did with one HV30 and one A1.

The JFR Project - Nutshell on Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/2877016)

The audio is being fed to the A1 via Sennheiser G2, with the on-board mics on the HV30 providing a bit of ambient sound for character.

I'm editing another concert from the same band, which we shot with 2 HV30s and the A1 right now. I should be able to post videos from it next week, once I get their approval.

yes, that's great. I'm doing similar things here in the UK. Couple of questions:

what setting do you use for the HV30? I've tried spotlight but it comes out a bit dark

Have you tried white balancing in the editor? Was that a white face cloth you could use, or were half those concentric rings on the guitar white? I find that white balancing this way also brightens up the video.

Here's one where I used the organ player's shirt: The Victim - Tam White & The Sermon Organ 3rio Festival Previews Video Blog (http://www.festivalpreviews.com/blog/1796/the-victim-tam-white-the-sermon-3rio/)

Ian
Festival Video and Audio Previews - Festival Previews Ltd (http://www.festivalpreviews.com)

Nice work, Ian. I shot in 24F, and used the tungsten preset for white balance. I found that gave the closest matched image, and it's a pretty faithful match to stage lighting, which averages about 3100-3200k.

To match the cameras, I mostly used the levels control in Vegas. That took care of most of the black/white level differences, and desaturating the HV30 brought the colours pretty close.

Both cameras were run on manual - With the HV30, you let it pick an exposure first, then lock the exposure, and tweak as necessary. Not great for unmanned cameras though. I've got another show from the same band that I just finished editing, and am waiting for approval on. I used 2 HV30s, one unmanned. Again, tungsten white balance on all the cameras. I neglected to write down the settings I used, but I seem to recall that the unmanned 30 was just left on the standard auto exposure setting. It did fairly well. I'll be sure to post a link to one of the songs here as soon as the band approves it.

BTW - I noticed you had some issues with tripod vibration on your video. I was shooting close to the full extent of my zoom on the last video I posted, and had to put foam under the tripod feet to keep the vibration from making my shot unusable. You might want to try the same thing - I found it very effective.