Wow... what a great sounding camera!
 

The HV-20 sounds great! I would love to see any footage of it as soon as some is available. Here's a side question: which do you think gets better low-light: the GL2 or this new HV-20?

Sorry, but do you know what's even more amazing? Here their most inexpensive Canon HDV camcorder has HDMI and the larger Canons (bar the most expensive one) don't. I'd be a bit ticked off if I owner a larger Canon.

The JVC Everio GZ-HD7 still have much more manual features than both the HC7 and the HV20. We just have to see how its picture holds up.

In the bright side, the HV20 may actually force Sony to lower the price of the HC7 to be around the same.

Two questions:
I read on this forum that the HV10 had poor performance in high motion scenes, compared to sony's HC3. What does this mean? Artifacts or distortion in the image? Do you think that the HV20 will retain this problem?

This is a documentarist's dream camera
 

Tape based recording.

Small form factor super portable.

Great picture.

Improved low light.

Way to go, Canon.

Progressive.

One theory for this .... Perhaps because the HV20, like the HV10, is also targeted as an edit deck, so the HDMI is more important with an edit deck than a camera (like the A1) that's intended to be used primarily as a camera.

Editing
 

Very curious as to how you would edit the 24p footage. FCP with pull down removal via Cinema Tools? Native HDV editing? Or dump it to another codec like AIC, or even DVC Pro HD? I realize you could just edit the 24p in the 60i stream, but native 24p would be so much easier/cooler.

Any thoughts?

I like the implementation of putting it into a 60i stream...makes it easier for hobbists and enthusiasts to just start editing with the stuff you get out this thing.

It's just editing HDV! If I had to get Final Cut Pro HD just to edit the footage from this thing, I would have to spend another thousand. As of now, I can edit from either iMovie or FCE.

Way cool.

Since the HD 24p mode is recorded to tape as 60i, I don't see any reason why the camera couldn't do an SD downconvert over FireWire upon playback, as usual.

The Sennheiser MKE-300 will mount on the camcorder's accessory shoe and connect through the stereo mini-jack mic input. You can put any mic on the camera... if it's an XLR mic then you'll need an adapter of course. It's no different than any other consumer-grade camcorder with a 3.5mm stereo mic input.

Remember, standard definition usually outperforms high definition in low-light shooting situations.

I am willing to bet that when shooting 24p at a 1/24 shutter this will outperform the Gl2 in low light. They both have 6 lux at 60i. Even if it is worse, it will probably resolve more detail than the Gl2 in lowlight. One major advantage to a progressive chip is that it doesn't loose resolution when shooting below a 60th shutter.

This will be a significantly better camera than the Gl2 in most respects; other than less manual control, no audio levels and a shorter zoom. Picture quality wise, the Gl2 won't have a chance.

I wish (HV20)
 

I wish it had LANC but I can do without it.
I wish it had histogram but I can do without it.
I wish it had peaking, I can JUST barely do without it.

Now is it top or bottom loading?

The HV20 is a top-loader. Peaking and Magnification are already part of its Focus Assist features.

I'm sorry but I can't get over this release date:

"Available in March 2008"

Isn't it supposed to be 2007? If not, then my patience for an HD camera has just run out. Within one year I might've gotten the HC1 instead of this.