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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"
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jack steenbarger (jsteen) 0 pts
May 29, 2007 8:52 AM
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I can not get my 1yr computer to reconize the hv 20

I have photoshop 3.0 it does not pick up the hv20,nor does my computer see the camera when I plug it in..
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Answers This question has been answered!
Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
May 29, 2007 10:31 AM
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Hey, Jack.
It looks like you way off track in this HV20 recognition matter.
The HV20 does not come with a Firewire(1394) cable, do you have one. The HV20 uses a 4-6 pin Firewire(1394) cable to connect to computer.

If you are using a Mac, you can only use a firewire(1394) cable. For PC based computers, you can use both USB and Firewire(1394), but for HD video from the HV20, firewire would be the correct connection to use for video downloading from miniDV tape. Use the USB connection for downloading still photos from your memory card.

Make sure you already have or will need to install an HD(high Definition) video software on your computer to recognize your HV20. Your editing software installed must be HD compatible to recognize the HV20 on your computer. Photoshop is not the correct program.

If you have a Mac computer, the HV20 can be recognized through iMovie HD, and only through a firewire connection. The Camcorder does not mount itself on the desktop like most external devices, it has be opened and imported in through the video software itself.

If you have a PC based computer, it should detect a camcorder when connected. Once again, make sure you have an HD video/editing software installed, regular video software won't work.

"READ YOUR MANUAL" it gives you instuctions for connecting the HV20 to computer.


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jack steenbarger (jsteen) 0 pts
May 29, 2007 11:10 AM
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let me get this straight..I cant use a usb2.0 to download from an hv20..
second if i get an 1394 wire my computer does not have a fire wire..most new boxes dont..is there an adapter fitting for the computer..
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
May 29, 2007 11:26 AM
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Jack.
I am surprised your one year old computer does not have a firewire port. In many cases the USB can be used to connect your video cam on your PC computer, but the HV20 is recommended with firerwwire because of the large amounts of data transfer.

You will need to install a firewire card, firewire cards come with one, two, or more connection ports. A single firewire port connection for PC based computers range around $20-$30. You can get them locally at Comp USA, and etc.

Here is one of many links for Firewire(1394a) cards for your PC.
http://sewelldirect.com/FirewirePciCard.asp?semt_adcatid=1027&semt_keywords=ieee1394%20cards&semt_match=Broad&semt_search=search&gclid=CLuS8PrXs4wCFQ7ugAodLnAhLA
Best Answer
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
May 29, 2007 2:45 PM
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Jack.
If Sewell direct is including a firewire 4-6 pin cable with the firewire card, "its a great deal". Normally, a firewire cable alone can cost as much as $25-$45 retail.

Good Luck!
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Gary 0 pts
June 15, 2007 4:05 PM
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I just bought a HV20. Which kind of HD vedio edit software can
transfer HD vedio tape data to computer for edting? Could you
tell me these software names?
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 15, 2007 4:35 PM
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Gary.
Your answer is in this link:
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/camcorders/canon-hv20_question.html?qid=13546
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Frank 0 pts
July 4, 2007 8:49 PM
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With HV20 do I need a 1395a or 1395b cable?
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
July 4, 2007 10:01 PM
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Frank.
Digital firewire devices should be able to be used with both 1394a and 1394b, it all depends on which firewire port is installed in your computer. The firewire cable end that fits the HV20 remains the same and I believe its a 4-pin end.

1394a is common, however, Apple has recently released 1394b which is double the speed.
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Frank 0 pts
July 4, 2007 10:18 PM
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Thanks for the reply Piero. I have a MacBook Pro core 2 duo and a 1395b cable (I use it for my external Firewire Hard drive). Can I use the same cable for HV20?
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Frank 0 pts
July 4, 2007 10:47 PM
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OK, I did a little research. The answer to my question is NO. I need a cable like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B00005NIMR/sr=1-1/qid=1183603206/ref=dp_image_0/002-4095209-2600028?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics&qid=1183603206&sr=1-1

Thanks for your help, I am all set for now :)
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
July 4, 2007 10:49 PM
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You can use the same cable as long as one end fits the HV20.

The link showing the 4-6 pin cable is correct.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
July 4, 2007 10:54 PM
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Make sure its a 1394b firewire cable if that's what your Mac has. I am not exactly sure if a 1394a cable will work with 1394b port.
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Frank 0 pts
July 5, 2007 12:05 AM
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Thanks Piero. My Mac has both Firewire 400 (6 pin) and Firewire 800 (9 pin). I think HV20 is FW400 (the manual shows a cable with 4 pin at HV20 end and 6 pin at computer end). So I will get a cable like the one I posted above.
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Eduardo 0 pts
August 28, 2008 12:07 PM
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I have tried everything and nothing. The camera will not mount on my vista home premium laptop.
Tried installin vegas 8 and nothing, Roxio 10 etc how come canon will not support this?
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pete 0 pts
December 2, 2008 7:08 PM
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Eduardo, I have the same problem, tried 2 different firewire cables, a multitude of computers and the computer does not recognize. This is the second cannon video camera with firewire in a couple of years that will not work for me. I like the camera but no luck with the firewire port.
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Fredjke 0 pts
January 21, 2009 11:23 AM
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Hi there any news since then ? I've the same problem. No luck connecting the HV20 to vista.

Shall we upgrade to Windows seven ???

Or resell the canon while it's still time ...
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SS 0 pts
February 12, 2009 3:52 PM
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I have the HV 20 & everything had been going fine until last week when my PC stoped recognizing the HV 20 connected with a firwire cable. I contacted Canon support and they recomended sending it in to their support for repair. I have another camera that I can connect with the same firewire cable & port, so I know it is the camera. Like the other person indicated above, this is my 2nd Canon I have had issues with the firewire port on. I think they need to do a redisign or get a better supplier. I will think twice before I get another Canon.
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Joey 0 pts
May 19, 2009 11:18 AM
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I have a canon hv20 and i use final cut express. Every time i try to capture with it, it first says "unable to initialize video deck. You may still use capture now." Then when I press now it says "attempt to capture video without a video device selected. Please select a video device in your capture presets and try again". I can't be something wrong with the camera or firewire because when I use imovie it works fine.
1. What are capture presets?
2. Is the problem with final cut express of my camera?
3. What do i need to do?
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Gregg 0 pts
June 5, 2009 12:29 AM
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I'm using Vista and the HV20 and they are working together to transfer video. Make sure you connect the cable BEFORE you turn on the camera. I have heard that this can damage your camera if you plug it in while it's power'ed on.

I have friend who is having the same problem as everyone here with his camera (panasonic camera and Vista). In his case Vista doesn't even see a new device when you turn on the camera so we can rule out driver issues. I can't find anything that I did differently (camera should show up under "Sound, video and game controllers" in device manager). I'm gonna bring my camera to his house and see if his computer will recognize it. That will at least help us determine what end of the cable has the problem.
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