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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!
RJ (RJ) 0 pts
June 13, 2007 12:12 PM
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Does anyone know what is the best video editing software to easily use with this camcorder? I was leaning toward Sony Vegas 7? Any other suggestions?

I have re-searched on Pinnacle and found out the latest versions 10 and 10.5 are not the greatest and have flaws. Can anyone recomend a good software. The sony Vegas 7 looks promising. Anyone used it with HV20?
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58446 pts
June 13, 2007 2:16 PM
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My recommendation for the PC is Adobe Premiere Elements. You can import from just about any device (VCR, Camcorder, DVRs, even still shots and video from some cellphones. You have 99 audio and video tracks to play with, so you can do some pretty complex layering. A host of effects. Native HDV support. You can even convert your videos to PAL to share with family and friends on the other side of the pond. And for under $100, it can't be beat.

on the Mac side, you already have it. iMovie. It's easy, it works great, it has some great effects, and you can burn dvds with iDVD with a click of a button.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 13, 2007 3:11 PM
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Hey, RJ.
Sony Vegas 7 is a good software. Many HV20 owners that posted the same question on this website are using Adobe Premiere. That does not confirm that it works the best with the HV20, but it surely indicates its a great deal for what it offers.

Some HV20 users have posted some issues with Adobe Premiere, however, every editing software its pros and cons. The software ease with the HV20 is one thing, but even more importantly is the overall features and versatility for the final edited product. Some may offer better control and performance with audio and title effects over another, some offer better video imaging enhancements and will interact with other software programs such as Photoshop. Multiple tracks is a big bonus as James has mention with Adobe Primeire.

HD editing software in general should recognize HD cams, your computer and operating system will also play an important factor to the equation. The main thing to first consider are the HD/SD editing needs for you, then see what software will meet those needs. Once you have downloaded the video to your hard drive and import it into the editing software, the video footage really doesn't matter what cam it came from any more. Once the video footage is in your editing software, the versatility of the software that fits your needs, will be the best choice.

Here is a link to some other popular HD editing software. If you click the select features button on the top left corner of the this link page, you will be able to do good comparison of HD editing features between software:
http://www.videomaker.com/grid/hd-editing-software/
Best Answer
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58446 pts
June 13, 2007 3:12 PM
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As a contributor for Videomaker, thanks for the plug Piero!
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 13, 2007 3:21 PM
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Hey, James.
As ACVHD is still fairly new, do you know of any other editing software that supports ACVHD besides what's listed in the videomaker link?
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 13, 2007 3:44 PM
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RJ.
Here is a review from an HV20 owner using different editing software. I hope this will give you a better perspective in selecting the right editing software for your HV20.


Lately I have been trying Adobe Elements 3.0, Pinnacle Studio 11, Ulead Videostudio 11 and Vegas 7.0 +DVD

Mind you, I am a very simple editor. I usually cut and paste and add a few transitions and make a menu. Then I burn the footage on DVD, so I was looking for a very simple editor that gave a great quality output (So far on normal DVD, as soon as HDTV and blue ray will be widely available I might edit the tapes a bit more)

Vegas:
Vegas is just fantastic with great rendering time on my dual core Dell 9200 but I found it way too complicated for an amateur like me. Vegas is the best! But overkill for me and 6x the money!

Elements:
Elements looks really great with build in DVD authoring and very fancy menu's. But incredibly slow rendering/burning and it crashed every time during burning. Also the capture preview doesn't work with the HV20.

Ulead:
Ulead is fine and uncomplicated but still has a tough time with 1080i footage and i did not like the menu structure.

Pinnacle:
For me the winner is Pinnacle Studio 11 Plus: It has everything I want: Very straightforward editing on 5 tracks (More than I need at the moment). Complete automated in- and output as soon as you connect the cam, no hassle with settings, it captures (With preview) without crashes and the output can be dvd, dvd folder or files in all possible formats. For only 100 bucks it is hard to beat.......

__________________
Jeroen


Conclusion: if you are an entry level videographer/editor looking for an easy editing system with your HV20, I would recommend Pinnacle Studio 11 plus. If you want a more demanding software that offers allot of room to grow into for an advanced level, then Sony Vegas would be a very good choice.

Happy Editing!
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 14, 2007 11:46 AM
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RJ.
If you are still undecided, then I would recommend to walk before you run. Its sometimes best to start with an easier program to get a handle of the editing situation and understand editing techniques. If a basic program is good enough, then you have saved some money from initially spending more, but if you grow out of a basic program, then it will be worth it at that time to get a more sophisticated editing software.

Keep-in-mind that you can use more than one editing program on the same project, so you would really not be waisting your money if you eventually have more than one editing program. With my Mac, I sometimes use more than one editing program on the same project to take advantage of different effects or features, then I import those video segments to the main editing software to piece it together.

Later!
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58446 pts
June 15, 2007 2:43 PM
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I do know that ULeads Video Studio offers support for ACVHD. But you know how I feel about Sony's proprietary obsession.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
June 15, 2007 4:24 PM
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Agreed.
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hd fan 0 pts
July 28, 2007 5:49 PM
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VS 11+ and HV20 are working great together.

My biggest mistake on recording in the app, was using the wrong cable. The usb is the wrong cable, and the firewire is correct.

HD vid looks great. Recording it to dvd is not bad.

Anyone know a good dv tape player/recorder while I wait for blueray/hd-dvd prices to moderate?
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58446 pts
July 31, 2007 6:23 PM
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You may want to check with LiteOn. They make great products.
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amrichkay 0 pts
October 10, 2008 10:26 AM
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which external hard disk would you recommend.I have a latitude D520 and HV20.Thanks
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