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Note: this camcorder was first sold in Jan 2007. There may be newer versions available.
Canon HV20 High Definition Camcorder
Canon HV20 High Definition Camcorder
F
HQ Grade: F
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of camcorders.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 5 out of 5
"Nothing is out there better than this video camera"
  • 4 out of 5
"Canon HV20 great for travel"
See rating based on 331 user reviews
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Question Answered!
Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 21, 2007 12:21 PM
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Can video be transferred via USB 2.0 port ?

I have some footage already shot, but my old PC doesn't have FireWire connection. New PC (with FireWire card) is shipped to me, but I would like to get something from the tape before it arrives.
So is it possible to transfer video through USB ?
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Answers This question has been answered!
Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 21, 2007 8:53 PM
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Hey, Alex.
Genarally, a firewire(1394) is best for downloading video to computer. On a Mac you can only use Firwire, on a PC you can use USB. Sometimes, it may also depend on your editing software whether it recognizes your camcorder through USB or not.

The other option is iLink connection. Its another version of firewire which was created by Sony.

Good Luck!
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 22, 2007 2:36 AM
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Ok, let me make the question clearer:
I DO know USB can be used to transfer video in general.
I am interested in instructions how to do it (if it is possible) with HV20 specifically.
All Canon utilities that came with it are still image related only, and I already had them because I own 350D as well.
I wouldn't ask (assuming it is impossible), but my friends were in the same situation with Panasonic NV 300, and finally found out how to transfer video through USB.
So does anybody have clue how to do it ?
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 3:20 AM
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Alex.
As I mentioned about editing software, not all will work, plus, each editing software can import video with different procedures. As I don't have a clue what you are using on your PC, check out the link below. Steps for video USB download to Movie Maker.

USB. While more difficult and time-consuming to use than an i.Link connection, USB 2.0 will work with many digital video cameras. If you use a USB connection, you will need to manually rewind your tape using your camera, press the play button, and then begin capturing the video from Movie Maker. You can also use a USB connection to record live video from a webcam. To connect your camera to your computer, simply plug one end of the USB cable (included with your camera) into your video camera, and plug the other end into your computer.

Try this Link to download to PC via USB.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/getstarted/DLmovies.mspx#2
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 22, 2007 3:30 AM
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10x.
I'll give it a try when I return to home, but I suspect it won't work.
In this sample "Digital Video Source" is detected when camera is connected through USB.
If that would be my case, I'd add 1 & 1 myself and continue from here :)

Nothing came up when I connected HV20 to USB port in camera mode, and in stills mode it complains it has no miniSD card (I indeed don't have it), and does not appear on still image sources as well (Canon's CameraWindow can't detect it neither).

USB and cable are OK, so or HV20 is USB-broken, or it doesn't consider himself to be "digital video source" (or USB is completety disabled without miniSD card), and I am stuck to FireWire.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 3:44 AM
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Alex.
Its very possible that the HV20 was designed to only tranfer video through firewire. The reason why I am saying this is because of the HD. HD video might be to much data to tranfer video via USB. Check your manual and see if USB is even an option for PC downloading. If it mentions only using Firewire(1394), then the HV20 cannot use USB. iLink connection is the only other option.

Good Luck!
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 22, 2007 4:00 AM
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Manual mentions only FireWire as video transfer option, but with Panasonic 300 they skipped explanations how to setup camera to send video through USB as well, so I had my hopes ... :)

Anyhow, thanks for help - you are answering it much better and faster than any technical support I ever used :)
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 4:08 AM
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Alex.
You are welcome.

I have double checked around for you on Canon's website and a few others. The answer to your question is, the HV20 transfers video to PC and Mac via Firewire(1394) cable only.

I guess you will have wait for your PC firewire card to come in.

Happy editing.
Best Answer
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 4:14 AM
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Alex.
Also, the USB is exclusively for your downloading photo or video from your SD memory card. If you had a memory card you could try shooting some video on it. Then you could download via USB to PC.

Happy Shooting.
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 22, 2007 4:17 AM
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I think HV20 can't store video clips on miniSD.
It can shot stills when in camera mode (they are stored on miniSD), but not vise versa - no movies when in stills mode.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 4:23 AM
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Since I don't have a manual I can't say for sure, but my Canon DV and most of the Canon camcorders does. It shoots in a MJPEG file. I will double check this.
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 22, 2007 4:28 AM
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I do have manual, but not now, and I don't remember such beast - movies on miniSD.
On the other side, maybe I missed it.
Post it here if you find how to do it - I am sure even if it won't help me, other people will get confused about it as well.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 4:36 AM
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SD Image storage
JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 1920 x 1080, JPEG 1440 x 1080, JPEG 640 x 480

It looks like the HV20 only records stills on the SD card, I am surprised.
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
April 22, 2007 4:41 AM
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I suspect storing HD (or even SD) movie on miniSD would require very different pipeline of video processing. I know new Panasonic camcorder (S1?) is designed just for that - HD video using AVHCD codec on miniSD(HC) - no tapes at all.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
April 22, 2007 5:06 AM
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I am really curious why Canon didn't have this feature. The SD cards now days are capable of holding much more data. It could be to keep the price just below there competitors.
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Skypics (skypics) 1 pts
May 8, 2007 10:15 PM
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Alex:

I have the HV20 and...NO...it won't transfer video through the USB port. You have to use the IEEE (firewire) cable).

I can get it so the camera is recognized on my SONY desktop (circa 2002) and it will automatically rewind and play the tape, but the video doesn't come through.

This is using Windows Video Maker.

I can get photos to download through the USB port and I can see the clips on my computer if I use the old fashioned video/ right/ left audio cable.

By the way...

USB 2 is a bit faster than firewire by abou 50 bps, but the cable is a bit bulkier.

I'm still working on it.

John
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Alex (alexar73) 21 pts
May 9, 2007 3:48 AM
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Skypics:

I already got firewire cable (and PCMCIA firewire card for my Thinkpad).
Can't make it working on Thinkpad, but on desktop with PCI firewire card everything is OK. I am learning how to use Adobe Elements 3.0, but capturing itself is working seamless with HDVSplit - freeware program.
Windows Video Maker recognizes HV20 only if it is set to DV Lock DVI output, it can't capture (neither it shows already captured files) in HDV format.
I use vlcplayer to show captured files, it also does pretty good deinterlacing on the fly.
Good luck
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neophyte 0 pts
May 12, 2007 9:48 PM
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I have a Panasonic PV-GS83, I can capture video at 15 frames per second in USB video devise mode, but that is like watching Buster Keaton. The camera records closer to 30 fps. How can I get the right frame rate?
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Joe 0 pts
May 21, 2008 10:20 AM
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Skipics:
I have a HV20 and the IEEE (firewire) and cable are connected. On the camcorder it says HDV/DV but how do I transfer the movie I recorded it to my Dell Computer using Apple QuickTime Pro? Thanks.
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robert 0 pts
July 16, 2008 2:36 AM
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what software is available to down load videos to my pc using a canon fs10. it only has a usb port and a av jack output
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Joe 0 pts
July 16, 2008 12:05 PM
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I have the IEEE, but how do I get it to download and open in QuickTime Pro to edit it. It downloads to my MS Movie Maker, but then what? Any suggestions...
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Anon 0 pts
October 17, 2008 4:08 AM
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iLink is Sony's name for a 4 pin version of Firewire that merely omits the two power pins, hence Firewire and iLink are in essence the same thing.
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Gorki 0 pts
July 12, 2009 7:20 PM
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Yes HV20 videos can be transferred to a computer via USB, but you have to have a DAZZLE.
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QTip 25 pts
November 17, 2009 9:59 PM
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Buy a USB that fits on the HV20 and find out lol

Actually i use a firewire and it works perfectly but I don`t see why a USB would not work aswell but it might not be fast enough for high def piture but personally i believe it should.


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