Canon VIXIA HV40 - Camcorder de Alta Definição

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I know everything is going towards AVCHD based cameras using SDHC cards. That's great and should be embraced... but a lot of us have hundred of DV and HDV tapes... and some people still want to use tape.

This is the LAST GREAT consumer camera using tape. PERIOD. It's also a GREAT DECK for people like me who had a lot of tape from the 90's and 00's.

Bottom line, buy this camera now and store it as a last line of defense. You'll be happy you did.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

Purchased for broadcasting ove the internet. It was very easy to set up and the qualiity over what was being used was excellent. I immedaitely received positive responses from all our vierwers.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

By now most people know that Canon has announced that the HV 40 is being discontinued (Nov 2011) so grab one while you can.

For a range of DV cameras to go from the HV20>30>40 says these cams are hot stuff and over 250 positive reviews here support that.

I read where many folk think the HV20 is generally better at -2 exposure, I agree, but not in low light. The HV40 seems Ok in that respect and has other improvements listed elsewhere here.

I bought the Canon WD-H43 wide angle convertor and now rarely take it off. The only problem is it doesn't have a front thread, so for a lens hood which I find absolutely essential, I use my left hand .. my left fingers held out flat as the hood and my left thumb under the front supporting the lens. I can shoot with the sun low in front of the camera, just raise my 'finger hood' when I zoom out.

I also bought a Shure SM58 mic audio pop filter and keep it in place, flattened right over the camera mic. It's held there tightly with a womens black elastic hair tie, fitted around the cam. That stops ALL wind short of a cyclone, without blocking any sound. I never take that off either. HTH.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

Used for all kinds of family videoing & easy to take along on hikes and has a good jpg stills too when its not convienent to use a dslr. Wish Canon would continue with HD mini tape line instead of all flash storage.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

If you are a novice, don't buy this camera. I bought it for my business recording athletic movement. Was told to get this camera for better picture and use with software. Records fine, but playback is extremely difficult. Recording timer appears, then disappears. Near impossible to know where you are on the tape. Tried reading manual, but it is written, I believe, for professionals.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I bought this camera because I still need something that plays tape. The HD quality is excellent for a consumer camera. Reviews I read prior to buying complained about the audio quality. I recorded my son's band in concert and was pleasantly surprised that the audio, although not great, was certainly better than expected. And it has inputs for external mics, so you can always upgrade. Hooked camera up to my computer and using my editing software was able to easily download footage in both DV and HDV formats. I have only had this camera for a month, but I would absolutely recommend it.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

Good- mic input, headphone output, captures to tape.

Con- tape, most controls in menu

Tape means most NLE will not have a problem with file formats. Tape also means you have to capture in real time. I also like the fact that you can switch between SD and HDV. Most of my compters and projects can not handle or require the HD quality but it is nice to have for those special projects.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I use this camera as a second cam and it delivers well.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

The thing i liked most about it is the ease with which it can be used and the quality is just amazing.
The price is quite economical as well and this is a great package.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

Great pictures from an easy to use high tech camera. Light weight and compact for having all its features, including the valuable movie light.
Purchased this camera to replace the equally good HV30 that I had stolen in Lisbon,. Portugal. I'd used that camera for three years with super results everytime. Need the DV tape format to interface with my editing system.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

Use HV40 for local events, vacations and family reunions. Great Picture and sound with optional DM50 mic. The different types of frame rates are like a pro camcorder. I love the handle and feel. Lots of features for the price. What I REALLY don't like is the miniSD card format. A real loser with that idea. One star deducted for the MiniSD junk card.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

GREAT IN EVERY WAY EXCEPT LOW LIGHT. EVEN A SUNSET WILL BECOME CHUNKY AND BLOCKY WHEN VIEWED ON A DECENT MONITOR. DON'T BUY IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE SHOOTING IN LOW LIGHT! OTHERWISE IT'S EXCELLENT AND I'M HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

As in my headline. Yes, you can use it for tapeless recording too, and in "full" 1920x1080 *UNCOMPRESSED* top quality - there, I've said it again. Just do your research [*] (tapes NEVER get corrupted, and even a mangled tape can be read - something you'll never be able to do with corrupted/dead memory cards).Hints for tapeless recording: HyperDeck Shuttle, or Atomos Ninja. I use shuttle, and although I only get less than 8min per 60GB SSD, the quality is simply AMAZING. You'd have to spend $20,000+ for the same quality professional rig, lol!The only con of this camera I know of (after using it since 2009) is noise at low light conditions.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I wish the newer camera that didn't have the tape had a firewire. The software I am using required firewire, so I got this camera. I am happy with the camera, but would LOVE having no tapes!

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

This camera is still the best alternative for the no budget film producer. The picture quality is excellent and you have reasonable control over the image. It's too bad that mini-dv HDV is going away. The new card and drive based cameras are a pain to edit - their footage is so highly compressed. HDV, while it has problems, is still the way to go for the aspiring amateur.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I bought this camera to replace a 10-year-old MiniDV (NTSC standard def) camera that was finally wearing out and to move to HD, but keep the tape format. Tapes still provide the most reliable long-term storage for the price ($2 a cartridge), and this camera keeps that one feature but adds all the newest features like 1080i HD, super-good image stabilization and a viewfinder, which allows much steadier shots.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I use the camcorder for filming weather. It is very user friendly. This camcorder is great for everyone no matter if you are just starting out in the film area or not.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

Bought this camcorder to replace another stolen Canon miniDV camcorder. Good picture, small size, easy set-up, no issues bringing video into computer with a Firewire (the only way, since USB is for stills only, but firewire cable is not included). Zoom direction is unusual and not intuitive (towards the camcorder to zoom out, and away to zoom in?!?) - opposite from the rest of the camcorders I've used. For shooting beyond very basic, accesories are needed, but for some reason Canon made unusual choices: front thread is 43mm - unusual size that makes my extensive collection of filters and add-on lenses (both photo and video, including those used for years with other miniDV camcorders) useless; deep mike shoe makes many external video mikes difficult to impossible to use; battery size is different (too small) to use with previously bought external chargers. Many of the above issues could be specific to me and those expecting to use previously owned video accesories bought and used for/with other Canon, JVC and Sony miniDV camcorders. I am generaly a Canon fan: for the past 20+ years I have been pro shooting with Canon high end pro photo cameras and "L" series lenses and other accesories. Compatibility was a surprise this time. Good camcorder for family use and basic shooting, back-up, story boarding, etc. Works well as a miniDV player. Has ability to be a pass-through device for analog (VHS, VHS-c, other) to digital (storage, computer editing, DVD output, etc.) conversion.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I got this camera because I am working on a project that I started with another camera that uses mini-dv tapes, and I didn't want to change mid-stream to a new format. I have not tried out the high definition option yet, so I can't comment on that. It is very easy to use, and seems to have good quality images. In the future, I would get one of the optional external video lights to shoot in low light situations. One drawback is that the widest angle position of the zoom is not as wide as that of my other camera.

Comments about Canon VIXIA HV40 High Definition Camcorder:

I use the camera to stream live events. The camera performs well in low light, it did need a driver installed to work with windows 7.