Gizmodo: hv20

Canon HV30 Camcorder Gets Reviewed by CamcorderInfo

Kit Eaton — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:31:19 EST

CamcorderInfo got its hands on the HV30 camcorder; Canon's updated version of last year's prizewinning HV20 and offers up an in-depth review. The upside: the HV30 is a great camcorder that builds on the previous generation. The downside: its list of upgrades is small, and it keeps some quirky features. Updated.

The strong point of the HV30, says the team, is that it has the HV20's excellent HD CMOS image sensor at its core, and it delivers great video quality as a result, even under low-lighting conditions. The new 30p recording feature, said by Canon to be designed for online video production, also seemed a good halfway house between full 60i and 24p recordings, and a welcome addition. Camcorderinfo also felt that despite many camcorders switching to HDD storage, the miniDV solution retained by the HV30 is OK, arguing that tape offers pros like better image compression via HDV, instant archiving and a higher drop-resistance than, say DVD. Still imagery, captured to miniSD card, looked pretty good, though like most camcorders, you wouldn't favor it over a proper still camera.

They found the camera handled extremely well under automatic control, and while the list of manual control options is good, their main gripe was that the camera design still omits a proper focus ring, and has a fiddly joystick control. Its construction felt "cheap and awkward" with viewfinder use somewhat stunted by its positioning. Saying that, Canon has improved the LCD viewing screen by widening its acceptance angle and decreasing solarization problems. Battery life, and portability were deemed good, with the battery running for one hour, fifty minutes in their test—almost identical to the HV20.

Their conclusion: the HV30 is more than just the HV20 in a new black paint job, since it offers a bunch of design improvements (like a hotshoe cover that can't fall off) and some extra features such as the 30p mode. It may even make it to Camcorder of the Year 2008. [Camcorderinfo]

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Game Over, Man, Game Over

Travis Hudson — Wed, 02 May 2007 14:20:58 EDT

Congratulations to Tom W., who narrowly edged out his competitors to win the Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. His winning entry is above. To all of the other contestants: thanks for playing, and keep your eyes peeled for our next contest (it is going to be even bigger, I promise).

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Don't Forget to Vote

Travis Hudson — Tue, 01 May 2007 15:15:40 EDT

There is only one day left to vote for the winner of the Gizmodo PSA Contest. A very nice Canon HV20 is on the line. The poll closes Wednesday at noon Eastern. Thanks again to everyone who entered.

Vote Here!

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Vote for the Winner

Travis Hudson — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:30:30 EDT

And that's all she wrote. I spent the better part of this weekend with my crack team of peers and squirrels narrowing down the entries. We selected the top nine entries and are now leaving the rest up to you, the readers. Remember, there is a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder up for grabs. Polls will close Wednesday at noon Eastern. A big thanks goes out to everyone that entered the contest.

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Fin.

Travis Hudson — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:00:49 EDT

Our Gizmodo PSA Contest wrapped up today. We will be going through all of the entries today, so expect a poll to show up sometime tomorrow where you can vote for your favorite to win the Canon HV20 Camcorder. While you are waiting take a gander at the above entry. Kids are so cute! –Travis Hudson

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Celebrity Edition (Kind of)

Travis Hudson — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:15:10 EDT

Youtube celebrity Luke Johnson must be a Gizmodo reader because he submitted a handful of entries into our Gizmodo PSA Contest where we are giving away a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. Luke is kind of a celebrity because he posted his phone number in a video and wanted people to call him. It made some news shows and stuff, but I like his Gizmodo PSA entries a bit more. Hit the jump to see the other three. To see some of the other entries so far, click here and for all the details about this contest, click here.

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Techno-Sexual Edition

Travis Hudson — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:12:18 EDT

Another day, another great entry. Remember, this is the last week to submit an entry in our Gizmodo PSA Contest where we are giving away and amazingly awesome Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. Get all of the details here.

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Gizmodo PSA Contest Update: Rule Change

Travis Hudson — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 13:40:10 EDT

We've started receiving some entries in our Gizmodo PSA Contest, including the very disturbing video above. For those unaware, we are giving away a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder. Before, we wanted a public service announcement video relating to gadgets, but due to the lack of entries and other factors—I will now also be allowing Photoshop jobs.

You can create either a public service announcement video, as previously mentioned or you can create a public service announcement flyer. Same theme as before—some kind of public warning about something gadget-related. Email your links to the Youtube video, or attach the PSA flyers (please make them reasonably sized) to contests@gizmodo.com.

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Gizmodo PSA Contest

Gizmodo PSA Contest Update: Sad Panda Edition

Travis Hudson — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:20:57 EDT

I am a very sad panda today. Canon has provided us with a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder and there are no entries in my contest. Folks, this is an $1,100 camcorder.

For those out of the loop, we are giving one away, and all we require is for you to make and submit a two-minute public service announcement that somehow relates to gadgets. Get all of the details here.

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Win a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder [Gizmodo]

Gizmodo PSA Contest: Win a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder

Travis Hudson — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:15:01 EDT

Hey gadget fiends, want a Canon HV20 HD Camcorder? We are giving away one of these $1,100 high-definition camcorders to a lucky winner. To win we want you to create a gadget-related public service announcement. Remember those "This is your brain on drugs" commercials from the '90s? Pretty much like that, but anything gadget related. Please put some kind of reference to Gizmodo in the video so we know you aren't recycling an oldie.

Make the video no longer than two minutes in length, upload it on YouTube and be sure to tag it with GizmodoPSA. Then shoot an email to contests@gizmodo.com with a link to the video. The contest ends next Thursday, April 26 at noon, Eastern. All of the standard Gawker contest rules apply.

Sponsored by Canon: Visit Canon's HD Expert for a full HD Experience

Canon Unveils HV20 High-Def Camcorder

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:52:32 EST

Just when we thought we'd have to wait another month before getting the full details on the new HV20, Canon took us by surprise this morning lifting the veil off its latest HD camcorder. The new HV20 is capable of recording 1080 high-def video in 16:9 format. It doesn't have a built-in hard drive like some of its competitors, but instead saves footage to MiniDV tapes. Like its older sibling (the HV10), the HV20 has a 10x optical zoom and built-in image stabilization. For stills, the HV20 can now take...

3.1-megapixel shots (it saves them to miniSD cards). Finally when you're done shooting you can hook up the HV20 to your HDTV via its HDMI output. Pricing is expected at around $1,099, though we're a little disappointed Canon chose MiniDV over a HDD. – Louis Ramirez

Product Page [Canon]

Canon High Definition HV20 Camcorder Rumors Start....NOW

Brian Lam — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 22:56:33 EST

Circuit City has a listing for an HV20, possibly the successor to the HV10, their little hand held high definition camera that uses good old cough*Please Die*cough MiniDV tapes as a recording medium. The listing shows HV10 specs, so this could be as simple as a type-o. Except for the list price that's $200 cheaper than the HV10 and the fact that its shown as not yet available. Hmm...then there's this message board posting that says the HV10'll be discontinued on the 11th of February, according to a Best Buy Manager, to make room for the next gen. We'll know more when the ever important photo show, PMA, happens in March, if not sooner.–Brian Lam

HV20 at Circuit City [Thanks Mike E.]