New iMac and Canon HV20 (or HG10)

[Welches]

I am the proud owner of a new 24" iMac 2.8GHz with 2gb of RAM and a 500GB HD. I am a convert from PC so please welcome me with open arms.

I am looking to get into video editing and need some guidance from everyone here. I have been posting over at dvxuser.com but have not had much luck finding folks familiar with my computer's capabilities. Hence my posting here.

I want a consumer level HD camcorder and have heard nothing but amazing things about the Canon HV20. Although I am much more fond of the HG10 in looks, layout and the draw of HDD, I am being swayed toward the HV20 from all the positive things I have read.

I want to start filming and editing short movies as well as just have a camera to film events/family/friends.

I was really drawn to the 24p and slow-motion capabilities of the HV20 (the rain video everyone seems so familiar with is a good example). I would ideally like to do this with the HG10 but have heard poor reviews of the HG10's 24p performance.

My question is, with my current computer setup (new 24" iMac 2.8GHz with 2gb of RAM and a 500GB HD) can I do a fair amount of justice in video editing? I'd be surprised if I couldn't bacuse this thing is powerful for everything else.

Second, I have already purchased Final Cut Express but have now found that it might not process 24p. Can anyone confirm this? I guess I will have to look at getting FCP even though I don't want to spend the money.

Thanks for any help and/or experiences in advance.

 

[sigamy]

I've been reading a bit about the HG10 also. As you know, these cams have the same optics and imaging systems. So the main difference is HDV vs AVCHD. I don't have any links for you but the most recent stuff I've seen says that a lot of the early negative reviews of the AVCHD used in the HG10 may have been too harsh.

Many people see little to no difference in the video quality of the two cams. When I see that and I combine in the the ease of transfer transfer and time savings, I say goodbye to tape.

Now, AVCHD may be more difficult to edit than HDV but I'm pretty sure your machine will handle either fine. There are semi-pros editing HDV on lesser machines than yours. You also need to figure out an archive strategy for your raw footage. With HDV you have an instant backup on tape.

As for FCE and 24p...see this thread over at Apple and maybe check for a few more. This mainly discusses the HV20 but I'd guess that the HG10 works the same way.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5984172&#5984172

 

[phooi]

I just ordered the HG10 and I use MBP SR 2.4 w/2mb and 256mb video. I was considering the HV20 but ultimately went with the HG10 because

1) I'm mainly using it to shoot home movies.

2) HDV will eventually be replaced by something else. I don't want a whole lot of tape without a tape player. I did a search for Mini-DV tape players and they are expensive. At least with HD, they may have a firmware update.

3) I should have a fast enough computer. I will probably upgrade my RAM to 4gb.

4) Interviewers have been overly harsh on the HG10. I found a site called www.dvinfo.com that have been actively working with AVCHD and have had great results, even in 24p mode. Their net takeaway is that for consumer use, it is almost indistinguishable.

5) External HD prices continue to drop. I calculated the prices of storage (500gb, $119) vs. tape (Pana PQ, $3.52) and HD was cheaper.

Hope this helps.

 

[iMacZealot]

I'm very reluctant to get a hard disk based camcorder because I like the fact that I have a physical copy of my footage with an HDV camcorder regardless of what happens. That's why I went with an HV20, and I'm thrilled with it right now.

 

[YoungCreative]

I have been using my personal HV20 for some internal projects at my work. I have then used my company provided iMac to edit the projects at work. Unfortunately, my company won't spring for Final Cut, so I have been forced to push iMovie to the limits and haven't been able to use 24p for those projects.

All limitations aside, the projects have turned out nicely and I have received nothing but positive comments from everyone. I am especially impressed with the audio quality from the onboard HV20 microphones. (No, my company won't spring for a boom mic.)

Personally, I will be buying a MacPro (if Apple ever announces the new ones!) for my use at home with Final Cut since I am doing freelance video editing to supplement my day job.

From your description of what you want to accomplish, it sounds like you should be very pleased with your iMac setup...and you really can't go wrong with the HV20. I've had mine since it was introduced and still love it!