Canon Vixia HG20 Camcorder Reviewby David KenderPublished on Sep 24, 2008 3:45 PM
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Compression (8.0)
The HG20 uses AVCHD compression and, like its sister model the Canon HF11, it is capable of recording at 24Mbps – the highest possible bitrate achievable with AVCHD. Pushing the bitrate to 24Mbps definitely sets Canon apart from the competition, but it is merely one of the many aspects that contribute to overall image quality. Looking at the results in the video performance section of our review can give you a better idea of the HG20's actual image quality in comparison to other camcorders.
The Canon HG20 records in five different quality settings. MXP is the best recording at 24Mbps, FXP records at 17Mbps, XP+ records at 12Mbps, SP records at 7Mbps, and LP records at 5Mbps. Refer to the table below for approximate recording times available with each setting.
Media (7.0)
The Canon HG20 has two options for media recording. The first is with its internal, non-removable 60GB hard disk drive, up from 40GB on the previous generation HG10. This should be enough space for long vacations or all-day event recordings, but it isn't big enough to store your video files for months on end. Regular backups and archiving of files to a computer or external storage device is something you will quickly need to master upon the purchase of a hard drive camcorder. The 60GB offered with the HG20 is a decent size depending on your recording habits, but there are much larger options available – like the 120GB offered on the JVC Everio GZ-HD40 and the Sony HDR-SR12.
The upgraded version of the HG20, the Canon HG21, features a larger 120GB hard drive.
The HG20 also has the ability to record to removable SD/SDHC cards, giving the option of expanding beyond the 60GB internal hard drive. The camcorder does not come with any SD/SDHC cards, but they are available for purchase in various sizes. Below is a listing of the approximate recording time at different quality settings.
| MXP+ (24Mbps) | FXP (17Mbps) | XP+ (12Mbps) | SP (7Mbps) | LP (5Mbps) | |
| 2GB SD/SDHC | x min* | 15 min | 20 min | 35 min | 45 min |
| 4GB SD/SDHC | x min | 30 min | 40 min | 70 min | 90 min |
| 8GB SD/SDHC | 40 min | 60 min | 85 min | 140 min | 180 min |
| 16GB SD/SDHC | 85 min | 125 min | 170 min | 285 min | 365 min |
| 32GB SD/SDHC | 175 min | 250 min | 345 min | 575 min | 735 min |
| 60GB HDD | 330 min | 470 min | 650 min | 1080 min | 1375 min |
*full specs on specific record times are currently unavailable.
Editing (4.0)
Editing home movies has become a far more convoluted process as more people begin to trend towards HD video. Varying compressions and codecs have produced a system in which it's difficult to find affordable software that works fluidly with each and every one. The AVCHD videos recorded with the HG20 are compatible with both professional (Final Cut Express) and low-end (Apple iMovie) editing software as well as numerous other programs (Ulead Video Studio 11, etc.). Unfortunately, compatibility isn't the only issue when it comes to editing. Older or weaker computers will most likely run sluggishly or crash frequently when working with AVCHD footage. Without powerful hardware, editing AVCHD can be erratic.
The Canon HG20 comes with a Digital Video Solution Disc that works on both Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The disc includes software that helps you manage your videos and pictures, assist with importing clips, and allow for some minor editing. Also bundled with the HG20 is a video editing software called Pixela ImageMixer 3SE. The software is not a fantastic editing application, but it lets you burn DVDs of your recorded video as well as add music, titles, transitions and other features that enable you to spruce up your home movies. The software requires Windows XP or Vista operating system.
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