Canon HV-20 vs HG10

17 Sep 2007 3:09 PM

Joe

Ok, I have learned a few things- starting from zero, about video- not much,
but a little. I understand that the pros diss hard drive camcorders for
several reasons.

However, my main interest as of the moment is the video quality difference,
say between the Canon HV-20 and HG-10- comparable camcorders with the former
having tape and the latter having a 40 gig hard drive. Presumably the video
quality of the HV-20 will be better, but how much better? Substantially so,
such that almost everyone will take notice? Or subtly, so that only the pros
will notice?

Joe

17 Sep 2007 11:47 PM

Smarty

Joe,
The difference in storage between the cameras is less important than the
basic difference in encoding the video. In the case of the HV20, Canon uses
an HDV format with a high bitrate and mpeg2 compression. For the other
camcorder, they use mpeg4 compression with a lower bitrate. On an absolute
basis, the HV20 makes superior looking video, but the differences may or may
not be noticeable based on the specific scenes being recorded, the monitor
being used for playback, the critical (or non critical) eyes of the viewer,
and other, more subtle factors as well (room lighting, for example).

You can only answer your own question by comparing the 2 products yourself,
at a Bestbuy or some other store. Most owners gush with enthusiasm and say
how wonderful their camera performs, and asking for opinions of which looks
better mostly results in a lot of comments but little truth in answering the
question. Your own ability to see the differences should guide your purchase
decision.

Smarty

Show quote

"Joe" <a**@xyz.com> wrote in message news:5NwHi.1896$fz2.1485@trndny03...
> Ok, I have learned a few things- starting from zero, about video- not
> much, but a little. I understand that the pros diss hard drive camcorders
> for several reasons.
>
> However, my main interest as of the moment is the video quality
> difference, say between the Canon HV-20 and HG-10- comparable camcorders
> with the former having tape and the latter having a 40 gig hard drive.
> Presumably the video quality of the HV-20 will be better, but how much
> better? Substantially so, such that almost everyone will take notice? Or
> subtly, so that only the pros will notice?
>
> Joe