Canon VIXIA HV30
From ITS Wiki - Information Technology Services - University of Rhode Island
The Canon VIXIA HV30 is a MiniDV camcorder that is capable of shooting standard–definition DV and high-definition HDV video on MiniDV cassettes. It has a built-in zoom lens and can record sound through the on-board mic or an external mic through the 3.5 inch jack.
The camera shoots in three modes: the standard 60i interlaced video, 24p film-like video with 2:3 pulldown, and 30p PsF-style video. The camera is capable of recording in both HDV and DV formats, onto MiniDV tape, though it's unable to record 24p in the DV format.
The camera uses a 1/2.7" CMOS sensor, which is shared with other consumer high definition cameras manufactured by Canon, such as the Canon HV10, Canon HV20, Canon HV40, Canon HR10, Canon HG10, and Canon DC50.
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Specifications
- name: Canon VIXIA HV30
- manufacturer: Canon Inc
- playback modes: 1080 60i, 1080 24p, 1080 30F, 1080 24F, 1080 30p
- audio: DV: 16 bit (2ch) 48 kHz 12 bit (4ch) 32 kHz HDV: MPEG1 Audio Layer II
- lens: Zoom Ratio:10x Optical/200x, Digital Focal Length:f=6.1-61mm, Zoom Speed:Variable, Max. F/Stop:f/1.8-3.0mm
- maximum recording time: SP: 80 minutes, HDV, DV. LP: 120 minutes DV.
- microphone terminal: 3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack
- image sensor: 1/2.7" CMOS Sensor
- dimensions: 3.5 x 3.2 x 5.4 in/88 x 82 x 138mm
- weight: 1.2 lbs. (535g)
Operating the camera
To prepare to record on a MiniDV cassette
- Insert a battery pack: place battery pack in the battery slot below the viewfinder with the grey arrow pointing up and slide the pack up until it clicks.
- To charge the battery: with the battery still in the battery slot on the camera, plug the cord from the power adapter into the cameras DC IN terminal (to the right of the battery pack). Then plug the other end into a wall outlet. The charge indicator light will begin flashing, when it stops flashing the battery is charged.
- To insert a MiniDV tape: Slide the OPEN/EJECT button on the top of the camera in the direction of the arrow and open the cassette compartment cover. The rest of the cassette compartment will open mechanically. Insert the tape with the window facing towards the grip belt and the gray arrow pointing down. Then press on the area marked PUSH until it clicks and the mechanical cassette compartment will slide back into the camera. Then close the compartment cover.
- To begin recording: slide the POWER switch from OFF to CAMERA, an image should show up in the viewfinder or the LCD screen. Then press the START/STOP button to begin recording.
The standard configuration for the VIXIA HV30 uses a fully automatic recording scheme (auto-focus, auto-aperture, etc.) Follow these steps if you want to set up the camera to record with manual controls and have greater control of the image.
- To set manual exposure: On the side of the camera with the grip strap there is a switch that toggles between AUTO and P, this is the Mode Switch. Toggle this to P. Then press the SET button in the middle of a four-way directional arrow pad under the POWER switch. Scroll through these options on the LCD screen by pressing the up and down arrows until the display says EXP. You may then manually adjust the exposure by pressing left or right on the arrow pad.
- To set manual Focus: on the side of the camera with the LCD screen, near the lens there is a button marked FOCUS and a spinning selector wheel in front of it. Press the FOCUS button and the letters MF should appear on the display. You may then adjust focus by spinning the selector wheel up or down.
- To set Manual White Balance: Press the FUNC button directly below the four-way arrow pad then on the on-screen menu navigate to White Balance. Then navigate to the SET command and point your camera at a white object and zoom in until the color white fills the entire screen, then press SET. The white balance image will flash on the screen. When it is done flashing your white balance is set. Press FUNC again to save your setting and close the menu.
- How to set up an external microphone: Open the flap on the side of the camera with the grip strap and plug the 3.5-inch connector into the top terminal marked MIC. This press the FUNC button and navigate to audio and make sure that the input is EXTERNAL MIC. You may adjust the sound levels (volume) by pressing SET in P mode and navigate using the up or down arrows to the MIC option. Then you may adjust the levels by using the left and right buttons on the four-way arrow pad
Changing Recording Modes
Switching between recording modes allows you to choose which style would be best for your project. You can choose between aspect ratios of 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3 (standard). You can also choose whether you want to shoot in High-Definition or Standard-Definition.
To adjust these settings
- hold down the FUNC button for more than one second to navigate to the setup options menu. Then navigate using the four-way arrows to REC/IN SETUP. Once there navigate to HD STANDARD and press SET, you may then switch between the different modes.
The different Recording Modes
- HDV: High-definition video at 1080i in 16:9 aspect ratio (Best for most HD applications)
- HDV30: High-definition 1080i video recorded at a progressive frame rate of 30 frames per second and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
- HDV24: High-definition video at 1080i video recorded at a progressive frame rate of 24 frames per second and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
- DV wide: Standard-definition video in a 16:9 (widescreen) aspect ratio.
- DV normal: Standard-definition video in a 4:3 (normal) aspect ratio.
Playback and Capture
- For playback on the camera: switch the POWER switch to PLAY then use the controls on the bottom of the LCD display to control playback
- For capture: Open the cover to the right of the viewfinder that reads HDMI then plug in a four pin firewire cable into the top terminal marked HDV/DV then use the appropriate capture method for your editing software to get the footage off of the camera.
External links
URI Film Media - Matt Hedges 2009
