Canon HV10 Camcorder Review

Compression (7.0)
The Canon HV10 uses HDV compression, the same as the Sony HC3, Sony FX1 and the Canon XL H1. HDV compresses a high definition signal onto a MiniDV tape and uses the same data-rate as a MiniDV camcorder. However, there are four times the resolution, so what gives? It’s the color depth, whereas MiniDV is a 4:2:2 color space HDV is a 4:2:0 color space. While most users won’t notice a difference, independent film makers might not like the reduced color space of HDV. All HD consumer camcorders come in at least two flavors, 720p and 1080i. 1080i seems to be the more favored version because it offers a sharper picture.

While the color space is weaker, at the end of the day, HDV is much preferred over DV because of those increased lines of resolution. The big question we can’t answer yet though is how HDV compares to AVCHD, the new HD format which uses H.264 compression for which there are two Sony camcorders hitting the market in the next few weeks. Based on specs it’s hard to tell, while there is more data in HDV, AVCHD uses what might be a more efficient compression standard. We’ll have to wait and see.

Media (7.5)
The Canon HV10 uses MiniDV tapes which are really the best media option out there right now for consumers. They are cheap, they are reliable, and easily archivable. You can find them at your 7/11 or your local Stop and Shop and probably in any city in the world. It’s really a great format and still isn’t surpassed by any other.

Editing (8.0)
The Canon HV10 records standard definition DV and high definition HDV, both formats that use MiniDV tapes. These tapes can be found far and wide throughout the land, from camera shops to gas stations. While HDV requires newer editing software and a bit more horsepower from your computer than standard definition, this is a gradually declining obstacle. By 2007, all the major editing platforms, both pro and consumer, should be HDV-compatible.

The HV10 ships with the Digital Solutions disc, V.23, which contains some basic editing software and the necessary drivers.