Customer Reviews

Canon VIXIA HV40 HD HDV Camcorder w/10x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODEL

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Over ten years ago I bought Sony's legendary TRV-900. It was a consumer camera so good and so ahead of its time that it remained on the market for four years - an eternity in the consumer electronics industry.

Canon has a similar product in their HV series HDV camcorders. They released such an outstanding camera two years ago with the HV20 that the two new models since (the HV30 and now the HV40) are really just small refinements of a mature and well designed product.

**NEW FEATURES**
So let's get one thing out of the way up front: There really isn't much of a difference between this camera and last year's HV30 (which was a small upgrade on the superb HV20). As an HV20 owner, I felt right at home when this arrived and I powered it up. Video quality is about the same, they look pretty much the same, and overall performance is the same too.

What is different is the addition of true 24P recording which offers a more film-like frame rate over the standard 30 frames per second. It should be noted that prior versions of this camera (as well as Canon's AVCHD models) also shoot 24P but that mode requires additional software to get to "true" 24P video when editing. You'll want to check to ensure that your editing software supports true 24P footage as it's not a configuration that is on many consumer cameras.

**AVCHD OR HDV?***
If you're reading this it's likely that you're in the market for a new camcorder. It's also likely that you're confused over the multitude of different formats currently available: hard disk, flash memory, tape, etc. etc.

Despite the many recording mediums, the current crop of consumer cameras can be delineated into two camps: AVCHD (the hard disk and flash based cameras) and HDV (tape based).

HDV cameras have two advantages over their AVCHD counterparts. The first, while not as compelling a reason as a year ago, is compatibility. HDV was the first consumer HD format and is almost universally supported by just about every video editing software package released over the last three to four years. In addition the HV40 can also shoot in the older standard definition DV format, a format so old that even software and hardware from ten years ago can work with the footage.

Another factor to consider is the firewire port. Want to record directly to your PC or Mac? Or perhaps do a live broadcast to UStream or Stickam? HDV cameras like the HV40 stream compressed video in realtime over Firewire, something the AVCHD cameras don't do.

Still, Canon's AVCHD cameras are now recording at a higher bitrate and with a more advanced video compression algorithm that makes for better image quality. Canon's flash based cameras, like the outstanding VIXIA HFS100, are mostly solid state and lack the complex (and delicate) machinery of a tape-based camcorder like the HV40.

**CONCLUSION**
Canon's HV20 was a very mature product right at launch and that maturity continues in this iteration. Still, there's nothing so compelling in the HV40 that makes it a necessary upgrade for HV30 or HV20 owners. For first time buyers, if you're able to pick up an older model at a lower price you won't be making much of a sacrifice in terms of features. It's a great camera, just not any greater than the prior versions!

For most consumers HDV cameras are old technology. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the HV40 is the last tape-based camcorder Canon releases to market. AVCHD has matured to the point that I am now recommending that to friends over HDV based cameras. AVCHD's lack of moving parts combined with the very low cost of flash memory makes it tough to recommend the bulkier mechanical alternatives like the HV40.

If, however, you're using an older computer or need to stream video live the HV40 is one of the best (if not the best) HDV consumer cameras on the market.

The Canon HV40 is basically a slightly improved Canon HV30 (which itself was a slightly improved HV20), with a few extra features. The HV line has been very popular the past few years and has a devoted following of fans and enthusiasts. There are even web sites devoted to the HV line. So if you wish to research the HV line in-depth, the resources are definitely there. Moving on to the HV40 in specific, the biggest new feature is 24P recording which offers footage more comparable to real film. To be honest, I doubt this feature will matter or make a difference to the average consumer, but for film students, enthusiasts, and professional videographers, it offers more creative control and that true "cinema" effect. There are plenty of sample videos posted on the web demonstrating the effect of 24P (and the HV40 itself). The HV40 maintains the Canon HV line reputation of being the cream of the crop among consumer HDV cameras. However, with AVCHD significantly closing the gap, both in image quality and compatibility, with HDV this past year, the HDV format is disappearing rapidly from the consumer market. The excellent image quality of the latest ACVHD cameras now surpasses HDV. Coupled with the speed and convenience of tape less recording, this makes AVCHD an almost irresistible choice if you are currently shopping for a video camera. Although I agree AVCHD is the more future-proof choice, there are several compelling arguments to consider the HV40. First, and most importantly, is its backward compatibility with HDV or SD mini-DV. If you have a library of mini-DV tapes, you can play them and capture to PC with this camera. Your existing video editing software (if any) is also more likely to be compatible with the HDV format, even if it's a few years old. Also, as I mentioned earlier, although ACVHD has made great progress, it's still not the most system friendly format. This can be a major hurdle if you have an underpowered or older PC. On a single core or budget CPU system, AVCHD may likely give you significant headaches. In fact, if your system is really old or underpowered enough, you may have to add a system or video card upgrade into the budget if you wish to use AVCHD files beyond basic capture. If you're simply looking for a high-definition video camera that you can use with your existing software and system, yet still capture amazing footage, the HV40 is a good choice, especially if you already use mini-DV. Another consideration is storage. HDV is self-contained. You can capture, edit, burn a DVD, and delete the footage from your system to preserve disk space, yet still have a backup of your footage on a cassette. With AVCHD, you have to allocate permanent storage space on a hard drive or burn your captured files to optical disk as backup, the latter being very inefficient with current 4.7GB DVD's. Of course, the downside with HDV is that you have to purchase tapes, but they are pretty cheap these days, especially for multi-packs. You can use regular mini-DV tapes. There is no requirement or need to purchase more expensive HDV specific tapes. This is strictly a personal choice. Frankly, I've tried both and see no difference between the two. And although AVCHD does not require tapes, you do have to buy SDHC cards for card-only models and/or an additional hard drive (internal or external) to efficiently back up your footage, especially with hard drive or solid state drive models. So the costs even out in the long run. Although the Canon HV line may no longer be king of the consumer video hill, the HV40 can easily hold its own in video quality against all but the very best consumer AVCHD cameras. Even then, the difference is slight at best. I have captured footage from both formats under similar shooting conditions on both PC and Mac. The HV40 performed admirably against AVCHD. In a lot of instances, the HDV footage was even noticeably better than AVCHD. Not all AVCHD cameras are created equal. You may or may not get a decent AVCHD camera, depending on your research. In some cases, you may actually take a step backwards in quality. All the sophisticated electronics in the world can't correct bad optics, sensors, and poor auto-focus performance. The HV40 slams the ball out of the ballpark on all three features, thanks to Canon optics & sensor, and swift reliable auto-focus. This brings me to my final point of comparison, watching and sharing video. After the footage is shot, if all you wish to do is connect the camera directly to your high-def television and play the footage through the camera, AVCHD might (and I can't emphasize the word "might" enough) be the hands-down winner. However, most people want to burn their memories to DVD. In this case, unless you have a drive capable of burning high-definition blu-ray disks and a compatible stand-alone blu-ray player to play them on, your footage will be encoded into a standard definition DVD anyhow. Footage from the HV40 will perform this type encoding quicker and more efficiently. Honestly, until high-definition blu-ray burners become more affordable, much of the high definition performance for either format is wasted unless you encode video files in high-definition for viewing on computer or, as I said earlier, plan to simply playback footage through the camera. The form factor and dimensions of the HV40 are identical to the HV30. One complaint that I, and many others, had with the HV30 was the awkward feeling in your hand. For some reason the HV40 did not feel quite as awkward. They appear identical, so I think I just got accustomed to the feel of the HV30. The only visible difference (besides the new name), is the change in name of the button on the lens barrel, from "BLC" to "Custom". The newly named button offers additional exposure and focus assist options in addition to the back light compensation of the former "BLC" button. Otherwise, the HV40 is virtually identical to the HV30.

Performance is great, as expected. Video is very clear, with crisp colors and razor sharpness. Performance definitely on par with its predecessors, the HV20 and HV30.I have not personally tried the 24P mode, however, as I mentioned earlier, there are several examples of this feature readily available on the web. Bright light recordings were sharp, vivid, and clear. Low light capability was pretty good with minimal noise unless the light was really dim. I've achieved okay footage by candle light, although it definitely starts to show limitations under such extreme dim light conditions. Auto focusing was fast and spot-on, especially the instant AF which quickly switches focusing from one object to another as you switch perspectives or angles. There is a choice to use manual focus which sometimes comes in handy with difficult focusing situations such as zooming in on objects at a certain distance or objects without enough contrast for the auto focus. Once again, there is plenty of test footage of the HV line readily available on the web. Sound was good, especially for a tape camera. There was no noticeable noise from the tape transfer mechanism unless you were recording in near silent conditions. Even then, it was minimal. The HV40 also has 3.1MP still picture capabilities with a few customizable features such as different metering and exposure options. Still pictures are adequate quality and comparable to low-end digicams. You will need to purchase a mini-SD card to capture pictures. Battery life was average.

The bundled software is a joke. It is literally useless for video. They bundle the same still-photo application (Zoombrowser EX for PC/Imagebrowser 6.2 for Mac) that is included with their digital still cameras but nothing for capturing or editing video. Fortunately, the HV40 is compatible with most editing software from the past few years. As for built-in video software, only the Vista Home Premium and Ultimate versions of Windows Movie Maker will capture and edit HDV. However, one caveat is that it is converted into a proprietary Microsoft format after capture. If you want a cross-platform friendly file, use a third-party app. On the Mac side, users should have no problems with any version of iMovie. (Thanks yet again Apple, for keeping things simple. And this is from a PC-biased guy!) Export options include firewire and USB 2. I prefer and use firewire on both Mac and PC. There are also component and HDMI outputs for connecting to a high definition TV. Thankfully, the HDMI connector is standard size, so you can use an existing HDMI cable if you have one, rather than buying the specialized one most cameras require. As usual, component cables are included but no HDMI cable. They also include a remote.

All in all, the HV40 improves on a time tested and proven model. Going back to the HV20, the HV line has consistently offered top quality, features, and performance. The HV40 is the latest in that outstanding line and offers a very compelling option for some not to jump on the AVCHD bandwagon just yet.

At the time of this writing, [...], one of the most trusted technology review sites on the web, list's the HV40's immediate predecessor, the HV30, on three its five Top Camcorders lists: Best Camcorders (Overall), Best Home Movie Camcorders and Best HD Camcorders . The only two categories in which they don't list the HV30 as one of their best models are the "Best Pro Camcorders" list (all of which are significantly more expensive than the HV30) and the "Best Budget Camcorders" list (all of which are significantly cheaper).

That's a tremendous show of support for the HV30. As I write this, CNET hasn't yet published their full review of the HV40, but as it incrementally improves on some of the HV30's features, I have no reason to think CNET will think any less of the HV40's performance.

As an amateur videographer, without CNET's ability to shoot with as many other models as they enjoy, I trust and value their judgement. How does the HV40 stack up against the competition? I couldn't say.

As an enthusiast, however, I can share my experience and tell you that have LOVED and been amazed by the video I've gotten from this little beauty. But while the results have far surpassed my expectations, there are some limitations with the unit that made the process of shooting and transferring the footage less satisfying than the final product. Following are the pros and cons as I've seen them.

Pros:

Video Quality: This is far and away where the HV40 shines. I've used other consumer camcorders, and the HV40's outshines them all. Even in low light, the videos are beautiful. Colors are rich, movement is smooth and the level of detail is almost frightening. On my 24" computer screen and 52" plasma television, the images are knock-your-socks-off gorgeous. I can't imagine consumer-level video getting much better. On a few shots the camera struggled with focus, but that was rare and I can't believe any camera gets it right 100% of the time. Even on those occasions, within a few seconds the focus locked on accurately.

Design: The HV40 looks and feels great in your hand. I love the piano black finish. Very classy. The camera isn't too heavy to carry around for a day, nor is it so light that it feels cheap or flimsy. I'd say Canon got this just right.

Ergonomics: I found it pretty intuitive to use the HV40's controls right off the bat: The shooting and zoom controls are where I'd expect them to be. Likewise, the On-Off-Play switch and other controls were easy to find and use.

Ease of Use: There's a lot to explore on this camera: Numerous shooting options, frame rates and scene modes. Some of it looks very cool and interesting, but my embarrassing confession is that I haven't used a one. I put the camera on Auto and leave it there. I just haven't had the time yet to play. Happily, even on Auto, the result are always close to perfect. I'd like someday to learn the advanced options and get more artistic with my videography; I'm just not there yet. But it's nice having a camcorder I can grow into.

Built-In Video Light: I've never had one of these on a camcorder before, and I'm loving it. Comes in handy not just indoors, but for filling in harsh shadows outdoors. Sweet.

Cons:

Optical Stabilization: I hate criticizing Canon's Image Stabilization because I can't say if other camcorders do it better. I've had a lot of experience with Canon's still cameras and they're known for excellent stabilization. Which is why I've been so surprised how ineffective the IS is on the HV40. A lot of my video - especially from mid-zoom and higher - is too shaky to use. Of course, part of the problem is user error - like others, I often shoot using the wide-screen LCD, which is the worst way to steady your camera. Much better is to look through the eyepiece, which forces your to brace the camera against your face, rather than shakily holding it at chest level. Speaking of which...

LCD and Viewfinder: I'm surprised how unimpressive the HV40's LCD and viewfinder are. I have the Canon HV20, which is two-generation old technology, and I don't think they've upgraded either of these important components since then. At 2.7 inches, the wide screen LCD feels cramped. For comparison, an iPod Touch or iPhone's screen is a roomy 3.5 inches. Moreover, the resolution on the HV40's LCD is a trifling 211,000-pixels; again, not upgraded from a model over two years old. That means your LCD doesn't show a lot of the detail you're capturing with the camera. Even worse is the eye-level viewfinder, which is so coarse and grainy as to be barely acceptable. Since that's the viewfinder you should be using when you shoot, it really needs to be improved. The only good news is that after viewing your video through the eyepiece or using the LCD, you'll be astounded at how much better it appears when you eventually display it on a computer or TV.

Tape-Based Technology: There have been many debates on hard-drive vs. taped-based camcorders. To my understanding, tape-based video continues to hold an edge when it comes to quality and compatibility with computer-editing programs. I don't care: I'm ready to leave videotapes behind. Using the miniDV tapes feels very 1980's to me. They're slow to rewind and fast forward, you can't jump to a specific scene and when transferring them to a computer, it happens in real time - i.e., 30 minutes of shooting takes 30 minutes to download to your PC. I prefer MP3 players to cassette tapes, my DVR to a VCR, and DVDs to videotapes. This miniDV shooter is the last thing I have to use tapes with, and I'm ready for what's next.

Conclusions: The Canon's HV40's pros are far more important than its cons, with the first one, video quality, really being the primary concern. With the HV40's outstanding output, its impossible not to love what comes out of this camera. The camera also feels great and is easy to use. Still, I'm deducting a star for the cons, which, while not of primary importance, remain disappointments. Most notably, its past time to upgrade the LCD and viewfinder and to make the switch to hard drive based storage (not everyone agrees on that last point, though; miniDV does have its adherents).

As a point of interest to Mac users - I transferred and edited the video from the HV40 to my two-year-old iMac with no problems. I've upgraded to the iLife 09 package, and iMovie 09 had no problems importing or displaying the video. Although iMovie recommends you import your video at a reduced size (which saves hard disc space and is less processor intensive to work with) I imported everything at full resolution and had no problems, crashes or slowdowns while working with it. Not only that, but, (without going off on too much of a tangent) it was a great pleasure using iMovie 09 with the HV40's video - moving footage around and making edits was painless and, using one of Apple's template, my movies look like professionally edited mini-masterpieces, which is less a tribute to my limited-skills as it is testimony of their slickness and usability of that program. Bottom line: If you're on a modern Mac, the HV40 works with it flawlessly.

Scott Sherman, author, Lambda Literary Award Winning Best Men's Mystery, 2009, First You Fall: A Kevin Connor Mystery

#-#-#-[ Why this rating? ]-#-#-#

I can be described as an enthusiastic, or even compulsive, photographer and videographer. I always travel with a camera and a camcorder in tow, and run through multiple cassettes and GBs of photographs (I shoot in RAW mode) each month. [What I may lack in aptitude, I make up for in volume.]

I've owned an HV20 for over 2 years now, and I am still absolutely enthralled by its performance. What can I say, its one of the few camcorders that has an entire web site and an active community built around it.

Canon realized that they had a winner on their hands with the exceptional HV20, and rather than messing with a winning formula, they smartly decided to simply provide relatively minor upgrades with the HV30 and now, the HV40. What this means is that if you are considering this camcorder, then the professional reviews for both the HV20 and the HV30 will apply just as well.

[One theory is that the HV20 was made so well that Canon could not improve it without cannibalizing the sales of it's professional models.]

The image quality with this camcorder is excellent, the sound quality is fair to decent, and the power user features are plentiful (such as audio input levels and aperture control). Note that there are tips online that walk you through the process of unlocking the full range of aperture control with this camcorder.

Therefore, in my opinion, this camcorder is truly at the pinnacle of "convenience" and "performance"; while not quite qualifying for the top of the "innovation" food chain. For me, the first two characteristics far outweigh the third, placing it squarely at 5 stars ("I Love It!").

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For the patient reader, the details follow:

If you're even considering this camcorder you have to be thinking in terms of a really key decision: HDV/MiniDV or AVCHD/HDD+Flash Memory? A prior reviewer has covered this well but as I've pondered this question over and over again in the past few years, I'll add my 2 cents, for what its worth.

#-#-#-[ Tape vs. HDD or Solid State/Flash Memory ]-#-#-#

I'm firmly in the "tape" camp for the following reasons:

a) It's an instant archival mechanism. I can't be bothered to get into a serious workflow for every hour of footage I shoot.
b) It's cheap. Even a high quality tape is fairly economical.
c) It's robust. I have tapes from 1991 that still work just fine.
d) It's a permanent master. I can always go back and encode my original 8mm tapes to the format du jour.
e) It's available. I can get tapes anywhere in the world I go. (In reality, I don't use tapes other than the Panasonic professional tapes like the AY-DVM63AMQ which use a dry lubricant.)

However, it is highly likely that the future belongs to solid state based camcorders, for the following reasons:

a) They don't have any moving parts, making them smaller, lighter, and quieter.
b) You can seek to specific areas quickly, and can easily reclaim storage when deleting poor recordings.
c) Transferring video files from flash memory to disk is much quicker.

#-#-#-[ HDV vs. AVCHD ]-#-#-#

The decision here has both objective and subjective overtones, with true believers entrenched in both camps.

I'm allied with the HDV camp (for now) because:

a) I honestly believe that the current quality of HDV is much better.
b) It places only modest demands on my computing hardware and software when editing video.
c) When I buy a HDV camcorder, I guarantee that I will be able to play back my old tapes a bit longer into the future. I intend to use my HV20 to playback my tapes, and my HV40 for new recordings. [I also use a rewinder; and an external AC charger - to increase my camcorder's life expectancy.]

However, it is highly likely that the future belongs to AVCHD for the following reasons:

a) It is the format used by Solid State camcorders, and they are likely to rule the future.
b) It supports Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
c) It supports true 1920x1080 progressive video, whereas the HDV standard is limited to 1440x1080i.
d) It is not bandwidth limited by the HDV tape speed.
e) Most of the problems with AVCHD are teething troubles that will be fixed as machines become more powerful, and as camcorders and editors become smarter at encoding video.

#-#-#-#-[ Differences from the HV20 ]-#-#-#-#

The HV40 comes with an extended strength BP-2L13 battery.

It replaces my silver HV20 with a black body, and a 30p progressive recording mode - which is better for video that will end up on the Internet (where video generally runs at 15 fps).

I have to note however that I do not like the "film" look of 24P video - as the blurring it generates tends to leave me with a headache. The 30P video is a bit better, but not by much. As a result, I have continued to use standard 1080i HDV, which is wonderfully detailed and sharp, and handles fast moving children very comfortably indeed.

There's a custom button that you can program on the lens barrel; a nicer zoom lever; and a hotshoe cover that actually stays on. (My HV20's hotshoe cover has long gone to the great lost-and-found bin in the sky.)

The HV40 also comes with a full size HDMI connector. Yay!

I cannot really tell the difference between the recording generated by my HV20 and my HV40. To my eye, they are just as good.

I found the sound to be slightly better than before - but I'd still recommend an external microphone for good results. The onboard mic is notorious for picking up tape noise and menu clicks. The Rode Stereomic is my personal choice, as I mostly shoot family and friends. However, you may need a more directional mic if you are going for serious audio use.

The built-in light is almost useless - so get yourself a better light if you need one. I have the Canon video light which works well in a pinch.

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD280 PRO headphones that work very well with this camcorder. However, the Headphone jack is shared with the AV output, so you must remember to make the right selection before you plug in your headphone.

Happy Recording!
- Damodar

Wow. The first time you see your own movies in High Def, there's nothing to say but wow. The Canon Vixia HV40 is easy to use and delivers great video quality. If you're serious about capturing video that will last, this camera is a great choice.

I've had the camera about a week and shot several hours of video. Here are some of the positives I've found immediately:
1. Of course the image quality is breathtaking. Whether you are playing it back on a HD TV or on a PC, the picture quality will blow you away.
2. The 10x optical zoom is super fast and responsive. If anything, you'll find yourself having to slow down your zooming.
3. It comes with some great pre-programmed special use settings like sports, fireworks, snow, beach, night. I've already had a chance to use the sports, fireworks, and night settings and the video quality from each is incredible.
4. The built in still image camera which can shoot and save photos to a miniSD card even while recording video has excellent picture quality. It also benefits from the camera's 10x optical zoom. And, if you're shooting video in high def while taking pictures, the wide 16x9 aspect ratio almost gives your photos a panoramic view.
5. I think the built in still camera is good enough to replace my 2 year old Canon PowerShot. Except in rare cases where I just don't want to carry the slightly larger video camera, I can't see why I'd ever use a separate point-and-shoot still camera again.
6. The video quality is great even in low light settings (we got some great shots in dimly lit indoor zoo exhibits), in changing light (like animals roaming from run to shade), and even in near total darkness. The fireworks setting did a great job capturing fireworks video which I think is one of the hardest things for a consumer video camera to do well.

Some of the other features of this camera that you'll like are:
It's lightweight. The video controls are natural and easy to use. It shoots on standard MiniDV tapes, which seems to be one of the most popular tape formats for the last 5-10 years. If you've already got a an older MiniDV camcorder, you'll know these are easy to find. It's got all the connectivity (USB for photos, firewire for video) you'd expect and more. The lens cover is integrated and opens automatically. Still cameras have been doing this for years and as someone who's shot a lot of video of the inside of a lens cap, I'm happy to see this auto-open lens cover on a video camera now. Although I haven't tried any yet, it does accept some accessory microphones and lights.

For what it's worth, I did all of my shooting on standard MiniDV tapes. The manual recommends "High Def" tapes (see #3 below on why the manual isn't too useful) but I can tell you for sure: standard MiniDV tapes shoot high def video just fine. I can't see any reason to spend the 2-3 times more for the supposed "high def" tapes.

Some areas that may be plusses to some, negatives to others: I love that this camera captures HD video to a standard tape format, MiniDV. This lets me connect it to my PC and capture the raw video via firewire and convert it to practically any format I want. However, this does mean that there's an extra step for me that you wouldn't have if you were using a video camera that captures straight to a small hard drive or flash drive. That extra step though gives me higher quality video options as well as the ability to save and keep the original tapes in case I ever want to recapture the originals in a different format.

Integrated battery charger: The charger is part of the camera, not a separate device. The plus here is you can charge the battery with the camera plugged in and running (either shooting or playback). The minus is, you can't charge one battery while playing back with another.

Some things you may need to consider upgrading:
1. You'll probably want a 2nd battery. The included battery shoots for close to a full hour for me, using the camera the way that I think most people will - with the LCD viewscreen open and pausing, stopping, starting every few minutes. That's good but you'll probably want more battery life.

2. If you've got Windows Vista, Windows 7, or a Mac with a recent version of iMovie, you can capture HD video from the camera to your PC and do basic editing. But, no video capture software is included with the camera, not even a trial. Considering what you're spending to get a very good video camera though, you'll probably want to invest a little more and get some good video editing software.

3. The manual leaves a lot to be desired. Like most manuals, it tells you where all the buttons are and steps through all the menus, but does little to explain where or why to use them. Case in point, one of the auto-program settings is for a "cinematic mode." Unless you are a film school student, you're probably as stumped as I am on why 24p is more "cinematic" than the standard setting and the manual does nothing to explain it.

I am writing this review from the standpoint of an amateur that uses video mostly to capture family moments. I am nowhere near an expert and have no use for heavy duty video editing and/or movie making. I am simply upgrading from a Canon SD mini DV camcorder so I can view my home videos on our HD tv's.

Since I have owned another Canon Mini DV camcorder (ZR85), I was quite familiar with the setup of the HV40. Very basic to use and can be run right out of the box with little to no adjustments. For the casual user like me, it has its "auto" mode to help us along. The only adjustments I played around with was changing the type of video from standard HD to 24fps and 30fps. It is easy to adjust just about any feature using the LCD screen and menu functions.

Upon firing this thing up, the first thing I noticed was how bright the picture looked in the LCD screen. my older ZR85 was terrible indoors and in low light. The HV40 seems to have built in adjusters that brighten everything up so picture came out crisp and clear. No more issues with low light. I ended up bringing this to a day trip to an amusement park with my 2 year old and recorded about 45 minutes worth of video. The battery meter never flickered so the battery life is way better than my ZR85 that would barely give me 45 minutes on a full charge.

Now, my only complaint about the camera is as follows....And I must state that this fault is not the camera but rather my knowledge and/or functionality of my computer for editing.

***Editing video that is recorded in HD is much more involved than SD***

So let me begin by saying that I normally use the fully featured...cough cough... Windows Movie Maker to edit my videos. I run a somewhat powerful desktop that has an AMD dual core 5200 (2.6ghz) machine with 4GB RAM and a 256mb GEforce 7900GT video card. I am also running a dual boot with XP and Vista (both home media editions). I would think that my computer has enough power and resources to edit HD video. However, I am having problems on my XP drive.

My computer recognized and installed the necessary drivers for the camera while on my XP drive. I opened up Movie Maker and tried to import the video. Movie Maker did not recognize my camera in any way so I was unable to import it. I rebooted to Vista and I was able to upload the video via Movie Maker here.

The format that uploaded was a Microsoft Recorded TV Show format. Never seen that before but the 45 min movie was a huge file (about 9GB) so I knew that the file was preserved in its HD format. Using Movie Maker in Vista, I was able to edit and do my thing but when I went to convert the file to some other format, it was going to take about an hour so I decided to cancel it and do it later.

I rebooted to my XP drive and tried to open the original file I uploaded but Windows Media Player will not play it. It briefly recognizes audio but then gives me an error message and shuts down. I am using the latest release of WMP so that shouldn't be the problem.

I went back to my Vista drive and successfully opened the file (just to see if I could play it) and I noticed the video was playing very choppy. It appears that my system does not contain enough power/RAM/video memory to fully play a HD vide....Hmm...

Haven't figured this all out yet but I wanted to relay my story for those of you that are like me and just want a camera that is easy to use. The HV40 is a very advanced camera in my opinion with features most of us will never use. Would I recommend it for the quality...Yes...the picture is beautiful when hooked up to an HD TV. Would I recommend it for the family looking to get quick video that is easy to share with others....No!! I would suggest a hard drive based camera or one of the flash memory ones that easily hook up to your PC or can be uploaded to Facebook, Youtube, etc... The Canon HV40 is more for the power user looking for the best picture and (what I would guess is the best) format for video editing assuming you have the power and software.

Any suggestions on the XP problem I am having is greatly appreciated.

***Update**** November 5, 2009

I had the ooportunity to shoot almost an hour and a half of hi-def content while on a 4 wheel drive excursion last weekend. Lucky for me I upgraded to Windows 7 and had no issues loading and editing the video using Microsoft's Live Movie Maker (Part of Windows Live Essentials which can be dowloaded for free). Editing the video was as easy as can be and I was able to automatically upload everything to Youtube. While the HD looks great on the uploaded video, it is truly amazing looking on my computer and when the camcorder is hooked up to my TV. I recorded all of the video on the HD30 setting.

So I am happy I no longer have the issues when I was on XP. I can finally get my videos online rather than just keep them stored on tape. One thing I did do besides the Win 7 update was I changed video cards on my computer. The Geforce 7900Gt 256mb card was great 3 years ago but I found that I needed more dedicated memory to truly appreciate the HD video this camera took. So for about $80, I grabbed one of the entry level Geforce 9000 cards with 1gb of RAM (Geforce 9500GT). Made a huge difference.

Based on my exprience, if you plan on doing any HD editing, I would recommentd at least 512mb of dedicated video memory or you may end up putting too much strain on your computer.

The Canon VIXIA HV40 is a feature rich prosumer grade miniDV camcorder that should appeal to the advance home user, hobbyist, or business owner. This is likely more camera than the casual user will need and some less expensive HD cameras are available for those not needing all of the features this camera offers.

We make Instructional Videos (currently 24 of them, some are available on Amazon) for my wife's business and have been looking for a new camera to replace my aging Canon GL2 MiniDV Digital Camcorder w/20x Optical Zoom. While the HV40 is not quite in the same league as the GL2 (a 3CCD workhorse), it does perform well enough to cover as a second camera on our video shoots and it also has many of the advanced features that took several lesser cameras out of consideration.

This video camera has too many features and options to cover them all in this review, so I will cover the high and low points that most users will find useful:

Recording -
* The video image quality of the HV40, in most circumstances, is simply amazing. I was very impressed with the quality in all of the video shooting modes (HD and SD). This is a function of the high quality 10x lens and the CMOS imager.
* Very usable digital still camera, with flash, that produces surprisingly good 3MP images and saves them to the miniSD card (not included). This is worth noting since I have several other fairly high-end video cameras that allow stills to be taken, but this is the first one where the pictures are as good as some of my digital cameras.
* Decent Image Stabilization, does a fair job of reducing hand-held induced jitter.
* Full Sized Advanced Accessory Shoe, accepts Canon video lights and shotgun mics. This was a big plus for me since my GL2 uses these as well. If Canon accessories are not used, it acts as a cold shoe.
* Has microphone input jack and headphone output jack, which are absolute must haves for recording video to be used professionally.

Special Functions and Presets -
* Includes many presets useful for capturing video under specific conditions, including Night, Portrait, Snow, Sand, Fireworks (I tested this on July 4th and got fantastic results), etc.
* Ability to take 2MP stills saved to the miniSD card while video is being recorded.
* Ability to record video from DV input.
* Ability to take a still image from video playback (like a "Frame Grab").
* Includes a full function remote control that can be used when recording (includes Zoom control) and playing back.

Playback -
* Has several video outputs, including a full size HDMI connector (but doesn't come with cable), Component Video out (cables included), DV (iLink/Firewire/IEEE 1394) out (cable not included), and records to miniDV tapes.
* Stills can be played back via the HDMI and Component Video, but can also be transferred via the USB or miniSD card.

Dislikes (not too many) -
* Auto White Balance is slightly off in low light situations when the assist lamp is not used.
* View finder does not extend to compensate for an over-sized battery, forcing the use of the LCD display.
* Confusing user Manual

To better learn the features of the HV40, I bought JumpStart Video Training Guide on DVD for Canon HV30 HD Camcorder since the HV30 has most of the same features of the HV40 (with some minor exceptions). This was a very useful investment since it saved me a lot of time trying to figure out the controls on my own. JumpStart will likely produce a DVD covering the HV40, so you might want to check to see if one is available.

Overall, the HV40 is a fantastic camcorder that meets my basic and even most of my more advanced needs in both quality and functionality.

Highly Recommended!

CFH

THE QUICK TAKE: Surprise, surprise - tape based DV still has a lot of life in it. Many people will find it easier to manage recordings on tape, rather than in files. And HD video offers a *big* jump in quality, so the usual answer - wait until they get the next thing a little more figured out, then buy - might not be the answer if waiting means you will miss the chance to capture your memories in HD. So if the challenges of file-format camcorders are keeping you from moving ahead (and if making the jump to HD now is more important to you than your concerns about investing in a format that feels a little obsolete), you should consider the HV40.

The Canon Vixia HV40 is a slightly refined version of the spectacular HV30. Great lens, very good ease of use and features, and great results. There really isn't much to say about these cameras that hasn't already been said. So your decision really isn't about the camera and its features - it's about whether to buy a tape-based camcorder.

Lots of people were surprised that Canon released a new model in 2009, but Canon was right to think that there is still life in the tape-based formats. Even though almost everyone is ready for the arrival of the next stage in HD video - compressed video stored as a file in solid-state memory (like the Canon VIXIA HFS100) or on a hard drive (like the Canon VIXIA HG20) - the cameras, file formats, editing programs and computers aren't quite where they need to be for it to work well. It's not as obvious a choice as it seems.

In fact, I had sworn I'd get a flash-memory camcorder when the time came to upgrade my Canon Elura 100 to HD, but have surprised myself by deciding that a tape based camera fits my current needs better. We have young children, so capturing the memories now is important go me - I don't want to wait. But I don't have time to spend handling the new formats and upgrading my computer.

Admittedly I'm only deferring the problem - at some point I'll have to transfer the tapes to files, create backups and burn to disc. But I'm glad to have the kids on HD sooner, rather than later. It may be the long way around, but it's the best way for us at the moment.

Which is not to say that you should choose a tape based HD camcorder - only that you shouldn't write it off, or assume it's obsolete. Think hard about what is really going to work for you, it may surprise you, like it surprised me.

PROS OF DV/HDV:

EASE OF USE: The main benefit of sticking with tape is that it's easy to use, familiar and established. The process of recording, transferring and storing tape-based digital video is well developed.

EDITING: There are lots of very good computer programs for managing and editing DV. The file-based formats, on the other hand, are still being refined, as are the programs to manage them. And they require a lot of computer horsepower.

PLAYBACK: A lot of people will play their recordings from the tape using the camera. It's easy to do if you've got a bunch of tapes. It may be harder to do if you have a collection of files on a hard drive.

LOW MEDIA COST / WIDE AVAILABILITY: Tapes are a relatively inexpensive way to store your recordings. If you run out of media, tapes are easier and cheaper to buy than flash memory.

QUALITY: There seems to be general agreement that the HDV still has an advantage over AVCHD (as implemented in the consumer cameras), due to the way the video is compressed.

CONS:

CAMERA SIZE: The tape drive and the tape take up space, there's no way around that.

TRANSFER SPEED: Tape transfers in real time - an hour of tape takes an hour to transfer. File formats can go faster, and speeds will only improve as time goes by.

NOISE: All tape drives make some noise, though it normally won't show up on the recording. I don't find it a problem - it's the beeps and the lights that are distracting - but some do.

Of course, all HD formats present some hurdles - everyone is still figuring out how to get the HD video edited and onto a disc that you can send to friends and family to play. It will take some time until it's as easy to create and play a BluRay disc as a DVD is now. (Of course, you can down sample to standard definition and use DVD in the meantime.)

For what it's worth, some suggestions: Lowepro Edit 120+ case, with a useful if small add-on, or the Lowepro Edit 120 without the add-on; and a book, Canon VIXIA HD Camcorder Field Guide.

FINAL THOUGHTS: If you decide to go with an HDV tape camera, you really can't beat the Canon HV40. It may make sense for you to deal with the file-oriented HD formats, or wait for them to mature. But remember to factor in the big jump in quality with HD, and whether you really want to miss the chance to start capturing your memories in HD.

I write this review as a prosumer (someone above an average consumer, but below a professional) who has shot, edited, and encoded about a dozen videos for web and DVD. I'm by no means a video expert, but also not a newbie. If you're a (semi-)professional video producer, you're on the wrong page. You want the Canon XH-A1S 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III or something better. For everyone else who wants an excellent, versatile, and easy to use camera with great video quality at an affordable consumer price-range, you're in the right place.

The HV40 is the latest in Canon's long-reigning HV line and continues the tradition of excellence set by its predecessors. I've used two earlier models in the product line, the Canon HV10 and Canon HV20. The HV10 was a friend's, and the HV20 was mine, purchased a year ago after doing a lot of research and basing my decision on the nearly unanimous positive user and professional reviews as well as Canon's solid reputation for quality. The HV40 is a step up from the HV20 and has been received with an equally positive response.

Canon knew they had a winning formula with the HV20 and stuck to it for the HV40, so much so that every button and design feature is identical, except for the shiny new black color and an improved zoom lever (it's wider, elevated, and much much easier to pivot and control). Also, the hot shoe (mounting point) cover is now captive and cannot be lost. It is permanently tethered to the camera, although there is not enough give and I'm afraid of bending it back too far. The HV40 is the same weight as before, 1.5 pounds with the standard battery and a mini-DV tape loaded.

Build quality is excellent (camera made in Japan), with shiny silver highlights and bold red text. It's definitely much sexier looking than the homely gray HV20. It is designed to be held in the right hand. The positioning is not switchable.

Most people will be able to use it right out of the box with the Auto settings. My friend played around with it a few evenings ago and was surprised by the auto adjustment for light and dark shots. The LCD screen is very bright, with greater contrast and clarity than the HV20. The Auto Focus and 10x optical zoom is fast and responsive. From 6 ft away, with a little bit of effort, I could read the text on Amazon's website off my laptop.

The flip-out LCD screen can rotate 180 degrees, so you can aim the camera at yourself and see what you're filming.

The still photo feature is a nice bonus feature, but if you already have a decent digital camera, chances are your megapixel count will be higher than the Canon's 3.1 megapixels. It's a little clumsily implemented also. I often forget to change the SD card/Mini-DV toggle, located where you place your palm. The camera won't switch modes automatically, even though the Photo button is a separate button by itself and isn't used for anything else. Still, it's a convenient feature if you don't want to carry an extra camera with you.

Editing:
For editing, I've used the awful and buggy Pinnacle Studio Plus (for XP), but now do it in my Mac with Final Cut Express 4 and make a nice animated menu and burn to DVD with iDVD.

Additional Accessories To Consider:
You may wish to purchase a bag like the roomy Samsonite Journey Camcorder Bag to protect your investment. It has space for 5 or 6 tapes with room to spare. You should also get a spare battery, like the high-capacity and excellent Canon BP-2L14 if you're going to be shooting for more than 1 hour and a Canon CB-2LW Battery Charger for NB-2L and NB2LH Batteries. You can charge from the camera directly, but I advise against it as it increases the risk of accidentally tripping over the cord and damaging the camera. The charger costs $35. The camera costs $800+, so don't take the risk. You'll also need an HDMI cable for connecting to your TV, and of course, some mini-DV tapes like Sony DVM63HD MiniDV DVM 63 Minute High Definition Video Tape (5 pack). It doesn't come with an HDMI cable or blank tape.

Camcorders are tough to review. The wide skill sets of consumers who purchase them as well as their diverse needs make for a ton of different approaches, though none that are necessarily one-size-fits-all.

So, as in my review of the PS3, I'm going to concentrate on those things that I think are important to the majority of people looking at camcorders on amazon.com. If you are a highly experienced shooter and need technical specs and measured results, I'd suggest a quick look at some of the dedicated digital video review sites, of which there are plenty. As for me, the following are the issues that mattered. My video background: I worked for a few years at a television studio, shooting and directing, and have been shooting home video since the 80's, progressing from cameras attached to VCR's through VHS cams, 8MM, Digital8, and HDV, so I've played with a bunch of goodies.
That said, on with my review:

FORMAT: The first thing anyone purchasing a camcorder needs to decide on is recording format. Do you want to record to local memory (flash or hard drive) or removable media. For me, it's a no-brainer. I wanted removable media so that a) I'd be able to keep archives and b) there was no chance that I'd fill up the camera with no way to offload the footage in the field. Those two issues eliminated built-in memory right off the bat. Also, digital tape is well supported and easily streams video via firewire to my computer for editing - the downside? It's done in real time. That's not a horrific issue for me though, and certainly not enough for me to trade to a hard drive system.

FEATURES: The HV40 is packed with features. It's an upgrade from the HV30, which was a minor upgrade from the HV20, both of which received rave reviews from press and consumers for quality and ease of use. I own an HV20, so I was ready to go with the HV40.

The lens on the HV40 is a Canon 10x optical zoom with optical image stabilization (as opposed to digital stabilization, which is not nearly as good) and has fantastic optics. The zoom switch is a HUGE upgrade over the one on the HV20, allowing for incredible control (the old one was a barrel, this is an actual raised switch - all the difference in the world!). Auto focus is fast and accurate, and it never had a problem finding focus. Above the lens is a video light, which is ok in a pinch, but not fantastic.

Shooting modes include 60i (60 frames-per-second, interlaced) 30p (30 frames-per-second, progressive), and, new to this model, true 24p (24 frames-per-second, progressive) that gives a very film-like quality. Note that your editing software must support it, but if it does, it's fabulous looking.

The HV40 also shoots still photos (as many camcorders do) though it uses the Canon Digic image processor, which gives great quality and continuous shooting. Two pretty neat features: you can capture still photos to a memory card as you're shooting video, and you can capture still photos to a memory card FROM video you've already shot, and it's all transferable via the USB port. Very neat.

The LCD screen is a healthy 2.7 inch widescreen unit and looks great. There's also a hot shoe on top of the camera (with a removable cap that stays attached to the camera, unlike on the HV20), an HDMI terminal for connecting directly to a display, and a wireless remote control. There are, of course, many additional features that are too plentiful to list here. I've included the big highlights, but you might want to take a look at the manufacturer's description for more.

QUALITY/USABILITY: In a word: fantastic. The quality of the video is stunning. I've loved my HV20 since I bought it, but the HV40 looks even better, at least to my eyes. Plus, as I mentioned, you've got the new 24P mode which adds new creative options.

There are plenty of shooting modes: you can select the frame rate and choose from a number of program scenes if you wish, or simply leave it on auto. You can select preset white balance settings or do a manual white balance, and of course control manual focus and other settings if you wish. All in all a great variety of shooting modes that should fulfill pretty much anyone.

The camera is light and easy to hold for long periods of time, the focus is fast and accurate as I said, and tape noise handling is great.

I found low light performance to be excellent. On a recent trip to the Luray Caverns, I was able to capture everything I wanted to get, and the focus, color registration and clarity were phenomenal.

Battery life is also very good - I didn't have any issues during a recent road trip, shooting a lot during the day and charging overnight.

I had absolutely no problems transferring my finished footage to my computer via firewire. I tested importing to my Mac as well as my PC, and neither posed the slightest problem. Two issues I'd like to point out here for Mac owners: iMovie and Final Cut Express do not support native 24p editing, and both import HDV using Apple's Intermediate Codec, which is a lossy compression that is not compatible with Windows, and is not true native HDV. I'm not making qualitative statements here - I just wanted to give folks a heads up to do the research if these might be issues for you. As an aside, I edit using Sony Vegas Platinum which has no such issues and is a fantastic, reasonably priced product that supports 24p footage (though it's PC-only).

INCLUDED SOFTWARE: Forget it. Use a third party solution. As I said, I've been very impressed with Sony Vegas, though you have to get at least the Platinum edition to support HDV editing (I bought the Platinum Pro edition that included Sound Forge - a great value).

CONCLUSIONS: Fantastic. I have no complaints whatsoever. The HV40 is simple enough in auto mode for my 9-year-old son to use, but has the features that I find necessary to shoot what and when I want.

Best in class, hands down.