The HV20 in extreme low-light... not bad...
 

Just wanted to let you know that I've got a new video up for GeeksAreSexy.net - it was filmed with the HV20 in extreme low light.

Funny thing - I had a colleague, also with an HV20, filming, but I couldn't use any of his footage... he was using the "P" setting, I was using "cinemode." Despite the fact that it was the exact same lighting conditions, his turned out very grainy and noisy, and mine turned out okay after adjusting the offset, gamma, and gain in Vegas.

Here it is:

YouTube - The Boiler Bar: Like Thirsty Moths to a Flame

I think the key of this video was clever positioning of the interview partners.
But, yes, the HV20 is only NEARLY blind in low light. :)

Did you use any kind of grain removal before uploading?

No - just put it on Cinemode. I mean, I color corrected, but there was no grain removal.

Neat interview. I'm surprised the camera worked as well as it did - good on you for picking the right settings...and telling us about them. Low light is a scary place with an HV.

Perhaps you friend was using 1/60 shutter speed in P mode, and you were using 1/24th in Cine Mode. Gives you more than as stop of addidional light other things being eual