XHA1 and HV20 Side by Side Test

Ken Ross · April 29th, 2007, 08:56 AM

Meryem, well stated and very true. As a matter of point though, you can do a warm WB with a blue card with the HV20. ;)

James Miller · April 29th, 2007, 09:45 AM

Sorry for the down links: "This account has exceeded it's bandwidth quota and has been temporarily disabled" I will move the files to a different location.

The main reason I preformed these tests is for the simple reason I have both cameras.

The HV20 is a great family camera+ my wife does not nag me when I take it out. Also on jobs such as weddings it may serve well as a third camera.

James

Meryem Ersoz · April 29th, 2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meryem Ersoz

you either want features like in-camera temperature control. or you prefer to warm balance using blue cards.

i think i was trying to point that out here. might not have been too clear about it, though.

just for the record, the HV20 also has a few features that the A1 doesn't, most notably HDMI, so there again you are paying for what might be an important feature set....i think that this camera is a revolution for the budget-minded indie producer (which i am not....) and the form factor can be a huge advantage or disadvantage, depending on your application.

the right tool for the right job.....

Eric Sipe · April 29th, 2007, 11:05 AM

i am having the same problem , i get sound but no video, tried QT pro and VLC same thing.

Derek Green · April 29th, 2007, 12:44 PM

James, how are you encoding these files? I tried bringing them in Premiere and it says they're damaged.

Mike Teutsch · April 29th, 2007, 01:04 PM

Comparing these two cameras is kind of an effort in futility. They are very different tools. Not sure anyone who can afford one and is contemplating the purchase of an XHA1 is going to change to the HV20 based on features. It would be like comparing a drawing made with a box of eight crayons to one made with a box of 128 crayons.

Perhaps a more useful discussion would be on how to make them match in shooting or in post. I know that for any major project, will I will use the HV20 as the B camera and try to match the A camera. I am bad at color matching and such so I could use that info!

Both great tools, but very different.

JMO---Mike

James Miller · April 29th, 2007, 01:14 PM

Derek, These files were encoded on a Mac. Captured in FCP using 25p setting and output in the same format.

Apple HDV 1080p25 1440 x 1080 Sq (1920 x 1080)

It may be a Mac thing. The pro version of Quick Time on the Mac/PC will still require the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component.

When I am in the back in the office I will convert to m2t's.

Mike, When I use both of the cameras in my next paying job I will post the results and detailed settings used to match the HV20's footage to the A1 in post.

Derek Green · April 29th, 2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Miller

Derek, These files were encoded on a Mac. Captured in FCP using 25p setting and output in the same format.

Apple HDV 1080p25 1440 x 1080 Sq (1920 x 1080)

It may be a Mac thing. The pro version of Quick Time on the Mac/PC will still require the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component.

When I am in the back in the office I will convert to m2t's.

Mike, When I use both of the cameras in my next paying job I will post the results and detailed settings used to match the HV20's footage to the A1 in post.

Ah, that would explain it. I guess you need to install Final Cut Pro to get that HDV codec? I have the latest Quicktime Pro that supports mpeg-2 and it won't play it on my PC.

Mike Teutsch · April 29th, 2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Miller

Mike, When I use both of the cameras in my next paying job I will post the results and detailed settings used to match the HV20's footage to the A1 in post.

Thanks, that would be much appreciated!

Mike

Ken Ross · April 29th, 2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Green

Ah, that would explain it. I guess you need to install Final Cut Pro to get that HDV codec? I have the latest Quicktime Pro that supports mpeg-2 and it won't play it on my PC.

My Quicktime Pro also is supposed to suuport mpeg2, so I'm not sure what's going on.

James Miller · April 30th, 2007, 04:29 AM

I have posted the main files at:
http://homepage.mac.com/jamesfilm/FileSharing1.html

They are now in the HDV format .m2t

Hope this helps, James

April 29th, 2007, 01:04 PM	#21
Mike Teutsch Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 2,614	Comparing these two cameras is kind of an effort in futility. They are very different tools. Not sure anyone who can afford one and is contemplating the purchase of an XHA1 is going to change to the HV20 based on features. It would be like comparing a drawing made with a box of eight crayons to one made with a box of 128 crayons. Perhaps a more useful discussion would be on how to make them match in shooting or in post. I know that for any major project, will I will use the HV20 as the B camera and try to match the A camera. I am bad at color matching and such so I could use that info! Both great tools, but very different. JMO---Mike __________________ Chapter one, line one. The BH.

April 29th, 2007, 08:56 AM	#16
Ken Ross Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,945	Meryem, well stated and very true. As a matter of point though, you can do a warm WB with a blue card with the HV20. ;)

April 29th, 2007, 09:45 AM	#17
James Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 317	Sorry for the down links: "This account has exceeded it's bandwidth quota and has been temporarily disabled" I will move the files to a different location. The main reason I preformed these tests is for the simple reason I have both cameras. The HV20 is a great family camera+ my wife does not nag me when I take it out. Also on jobs such as weddings it may serve well as a third camera. James

April 29th, 2007, 11:05 AM	#19
Eric Sipe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 42	i am having the same problem , i get sound but no video, tried QT pro and VLC same thing.

April 29th, 2007, 12:44 PM	#20
Derek Green Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 62	James, how are you encoding these files? I tried bringing them in Premiere and it says they're damaged.

April 29th, 2007, 01:14 PM	#22
James Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 317	Derek, These files were encoded on a Mac. Captured in FCP using 25p setting and output in the same format. Apple HDV 1080p25 1440 x 1080 Sq (1920 x 1080) It may be a Mac thing. The pro version of Quick Time on the Mac/PC will still require the QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component. When I am in the back in the office I will convert to m2t's. Mike, When I use both of the cameras in my next paying job I will post the results and detailed settings used to match the HV20's footage to the A1 in post.

April 30th, 2007, 04:29 AM	#26
James Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 317	I have posted the main files at: http://homepage.mac.com/jamesfilm/FileSharing1.html They are now in the HDV format .m2t Hope this helps, James