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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!
Alix Bryan (peacescooter) 2 pts
July 11, 2007 10:36 AM
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Can someone offer a specific tutorial for MAC and Canon HV20, transferring footage to computer?

I recently bought the Sony DCR-300 Handy Cam and was told by the SALESPERSON that it was MAC compatible. Not so. I am taking it back today and going with the Canon HV20.
I will do anything to avoid Bootcamp/Windows on my computer. I did want the ease of digital and disk drive. I will be traveling 9,000+ miles around the U.S. and filming a lot-interviewing people and landscape footage. It seems that these tapes can be recorded over and maintain good imaging.
*Can someone walk me through the file transfer, step by step.* I am leaving town soon and want to have my "tech class" out of the way. I use the MacBook, Intel Core, 2ghz, little memory-but I am buying a external hard drive. In fact if you want to recommend a good one-thats bonus points. It needs to travel well (light, high Gigs)
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Answers This question has been answered!
Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
July 12, 2007 2:58 AM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi, Alix.
The Canon HV20 is a good choice for Mac.

Camcorders need to be connected with firewire for Macs and the video has to be imported through the editing software. Camcorders do not show up on your desk top like external devices.

iMovie and any Final Cut HD version editing software will work fine with the HV20. Final Cut HD Express is a great deal.

Just connect the camcorder via firewire to the Mac and open the editing software, then either playback or import the video.
Best Answer
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Alix Bryan (peacescooter) 2 pts
July 12, 2007 3:21 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi,
I did not think that they needed a firewire unless recording directly to the computer.
I was under the impression the USB worked just fine. Its charging right now, so I will play with it later to see if I need the firewire, which I do not have....
Thanks
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
July 12, 2007 3:28 AM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Alix.
You can only use firewire from cam to Mac. The USB is used for downloading from memory card. You will need to get a 4-6 pin firewire(1394) cable which does not come with the HV20 or any new cam out of the box. USB for video is normally used on PC based computers.
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Piero Foto (ifotomedia) 7096 pts
July 18, 2007 10:26 PM
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Alix.
When editing with HV20's M2T video files, consider converting the video footage with CineForm Intermediate AVI, it maintains the quality from generation to generation.

Read more:
http://www.cineform.com/technology/HDVQualityAnalysis051011/HDVQualityAnalysis051011.htm

Mac OS Beta version:
http://www.cineform.com/products/MacOS-Beta.htm
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Capt. nemo 0 pts
July 31, 2007 8:42 PM
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I use Pinnacle studio 11 as my video program for my canon HV 20 video clips. It automatically connects me to Yahoo video.
My problem is that the images of people shows up distorted on the Yahoo Video web.
How can I correct that problem?
You can see my distorted people in my videos at http://video.yahoo.com/video/profile?sid=982956
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Mercedes 0 pts
August 10, 2009 10:41 PM
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So I tried to use the USB cable, but of course it didn't work. And there is no FireWire cable. And if there were one, there's no output for it. So... how how how??? How do I use the FireWire? Where should i plug it on the camcorder??
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