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General discussion

Best Editing Program for Canon Vixia HV30?

Mar 17, 2008 1:58AM PDT

My company just purchased the Canon Vixia HV30. We currently have AdobePremiere 1.5 and 2.0. I'm wondering if these editing programs are compatible with the HV30. If not, what are my options?

We have PCs here.

Discussion is locked

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Why not keep going with Premiere?
Mar 17, 2008 3:33AM PDT
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Standard DV
Mar 19, 2008 9:24PM PDT

What I found quickly was that if I want to record in HDV I'll need to get new software. So for now I have changed my settings to Standard DV so the camera will work with Premiere Pro.

Not ideal, but the nature of the beast, I suppose.

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canon Vixia HV30
Mar 19, 2008 8:03AM PDT

Just bought a Canon Vixia HV30. After recovering from the scam an online store did to me(and there are a bunch of them out there) I began to take some video. Played it on my Plasma TV and it was terrific.
Now....I tried to save the video to my computer. Where is the software that Canon provides? I looked and looked only to find JUST software for still photos.
I am shocked that a company like Canon does not provide some software to manage the video so you can at least save the video clips you take. Forget about EDITING the video.
CNET should make that the lead on all the HD Camcorder reviews...NO SOFTWARE FOR HD VIDEO MANAGEMENT.
I don't think I would have bought the camera if I had known the software was not available.
I spent hours searching the internet looking for some software that would handle HD video.
Downloaded several "trial" pgms and none did the job.
FINALLY I found Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8. It does download the HD clips but gets a bit flakey at certain editing points. Also at times puts pixel scatter on the top and bottom of my screen.
I guess having VISTA premium home adds to the equation for disaster.
Let me know if you find any compatable software for VISTA that doesn't cost more than the camera.

BUYERS OF HD CAMCORDERS BEWARE!!!
Bob

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canon hv30
Apr 13, 2008 1:10AM PDT

Bob,
you are so right, I bought HV30 from bestbuy online, took some shots and tried to connect it to PC via USB, did not even recognize connection, called tech support advised to to take it to store, Geek Squad check it and said the same thing cannot recognize connection - so they replaced my new camcorder - problem is there is no cable and no software to connect to PC and no one is saying it as to how

CNET - should have at lest put that up on their review as bad

beaware FOLKS

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canon solution to HD
Apr 13, 2008 2:13AM PDT

Well, I got lucky!
I have an I394 port on the front of my Dell XPS 420. I can cable to the camera, download the video and FINALLY EDIT the HD that I took.
The 2nd part of the puzzle was Vegas Movie Studio Platnum 8.
This combination works!!!

Bob

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Help
Oct 29, 2008 11:28AM PDT

Hi,

In response to your post of 4/13/08 I'm wondering if you could assist in how you set up your camcorder (Sony Vixia HV30) to your computer. I also have a I394 port and when I connect that to my camcorder and click on Import DVD Camcorder Disc in the Sony Vegas Movie software it's saying "no disc available". I followed the connection in the book with the US cable and DV Cable and turn the camcorder to play, but it's not working. Any assistance you are able to provide is appreciated.

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Wow... all over the place...
Oct 29, 2008 1:35PM PDT

Sony does not make "Vixia" camcorders - Canon does. Sony's consumer brand is "Handycam".

Sony does not make the HV30... Canon does. Sony's consumer hight definition camcorder line model numbers start with HDR.

The Canon HV30 is a miniDV tape based camcorder - not DVD tape based. MovieMaker will capture the miniDV tape based camcorder's video from the 1394 (or firewire) port - There is no DVD from which to import video, so clicking "Import DVD" will indeed result in the error message you are getting.

Please do not connect the USB (is that what you refer to as "US cable"?) cable and the DV cable (also known as the firewire cable) to the camcorder and the computer at the same time. All miniDV tape based camcorder manuals say to not connect them at the same time.

So...

Which company manufactured your camcorder?

What is the model number of the camcorder?

What does the video record to (MiniDV tape or DVD)?

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The manual is pretty clear...
Apr 13, 2008 4:16AM PDT
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=177&modelid=16206#DownloadDetailAct

Starting on Page 76, "Connecting to a computer"...
USB cable is supplied - for PC or PICTbridge capable printer...
DV cable is commercially available.

Then on Page 77, there is reference to transferring video recordings via the DV port and 1394... not USB.

Page 78 refers to using USB for transferring still images from the memory card.

There is no reference to using USB for transferring DV or using IEEE1394 for transferring stills.

Just so you know, when the IEEE1394 port is working properly on your computer, there is no "camera-specific driver" required for transferring video. Only USB requires a camera-specific driver. But generally speaking, using the USB cable will result in the memory card being mounted like any other flash-memory mass-storage device and needs to be "stopped" like any other flash-memory mass-storage device before disconnecting.
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Nod. Nod.
Apr 13, 2008 12:36PM PDT

No wonder I have spare USB cables.

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too late
Feb 23, 2010 9:01AM PST

I have had this camcorder for almost a year and have had the same issues, but finally(magicly) captured video with adobe elements 7,movie maker, but then it suddenly stopped (and has never been in HD) after the factory returned it, still does not capture video...

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Helloooo?
Apr 14, 2008 2:25AM PDT

I don't know of any good camera from any manufacturer that includes much in the way of software. That is NOT unique to Canon. Canon is in the camera business, not the software business.

If you want good, powerful software included with the camera, be prepared for a substantial price increase. The camera people are focused on giving you good hardware. Software is a completely separate issue, and I think most people know that.

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HD Editing
Apr 17, 2008 12:21PM PDT

I am very new to digital video cameras. Was about to purchase the Canon HV 30 and was pretty surprised to learn that basically there is no software to put video on PC and edit. Everyone in the stores said that would be no problem to upload the video (from Canon, Sony) to PC and use Adobe Premier etc.

Can anyone recommend a not too expensive video camera to do a webcast?

Thanks!

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I hope this is a good surprise for you...
Apr 17, 2008 2:03PM PDT
"there is no software to put video on PC and edit" is not accurate. Pretty much ANY video editor (other than maybe the bundled Windows MovieMaker) can deal with either DV or HDV format video - this is what the HV30 stores on the miniDV tape. Whoever told you there is no software to edit this camera's video has no idea what they are talking about.

If you want a camcorder that can do video streaming, the best, least expensive, way to do that is with a web-cam. A camcorder is not required. If you are convinced that you need to use a camcorder for this, I think the Panasonic PV-GS320 should exceed you requirements.
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yes it was
Apr 19, 2008 12:41PM PDT

thank you very much...I will also check out the Panasonic that you mentioned.

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Besides Adobe Premier we have
Apr 17, 2008 10:12PM PDT

Sony Vegas and maybe the newest Ulead.com titles. No one in the stores seems to grasp this.

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Webcast? Go with the Flip?
Apr 17, 2008 10:20PM PDT

Look at the Flip and if you need more, the Canon zr800.

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Returning my Vixia HV30 to Frys - No download software
May 21, 2008 10:16PM PDT

After 15 hours of not being able to download video from my first camcorder, a Canon Vixia HV30 I started searching the Internet and stumbled on to another disappointed purchaser

If I had been aware that there was no software furnished for video downloading I would not have purchased this camera.

Whose idea was this ? Canon furnishes software to download the stills but nothing for the camcorder. Thanks alot Canon now I have to drive 140 miles taking this Camera back to Frys in San Diego.

If something does not work I don't have the time to play with it.

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Software
Jan 12, 2009 6:07AM PST

Jesus, the software comes with your computer - Mac or Windows ? doesn't matter. You should have done your homework before buying anything.

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Canon HV30
May 17, 2010 4:03AM PDT

I bought this camera in December 2008 and just used it for the first time Saturday. About the not doing your homework crack, who the hell would expect this much trouble downloading video. Finally got it done by bying a Firewire cable but the playback cuts off the heads on closeups. What is with that. Called Canon and they told me to call Roxio, the software I'm using. I did but not before I gave them a pice of my mind about have TWO pages of informationon downloading video to PC and about 20 for connecting to TV and printers for God's sake. This is VIDEO camera not a STILL camera. Also, Roxio doesn't have phone support so I had to email. I've next been trying to burn to vido using a Sony VDR-MC5 DVD Recorder but, of course, the only EASY was to do this is if you own a HANDYCAM! Yey, Sony! I finally got it on a DVD using Stereo Video Cables, which dongrades the quality, but it won't play using Windows Media. Plus it compressed the picture distorting it. What the hell is next?

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Getting video from the Canon HV30 to your Computer
Nov 5, 2008 4:15PM PST

One of the biggest problems i have seen in these forums concerning the canon vixia HV30. is that it is not a bad camera in fact it is a fabulous camcorder. But if your not familiar with some of the editing software like soney vagas or CS3 pro or so on. and you buy this camcorder it could be a little like putting the cart before the horse. And Having said that. I think the problem may lay in making a consumer camcorder with features like the HV30. So you might find your self spending more cash on editing software like for example Soney Vagas platinum pro 9. Thank God I got in to video editing first before buying a camera. so I feel your pain. you have a nice camcorder and now you find out there is more stuff to get and learn. so have fun and take your time its all a learning curve. but can be very rewording.

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downloading video
Sep 14, 2010 7:43AM PDT

Okay. I have and use Final Cut Pro and After Effects on my newish Mac. No firewire connection. The camera is great but I can't seem to get it into these programs or on my computer to edit it. Can I use a connection that converts usb to firewire and then download. What is the easiest way to get this stuff onto my computer and why is it so difficult? I'm 67 and not the saviest in computerspeak. Can you help me.
Do I need other equipment?

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Canon Vixia HV30...lots of money, no benefits!
Jan 2, 2009 10:22AM PST

I can't believe there is no software to help me transfer my video to my computer. I bought this camera (the Canon Vixia HV30) specifically for my business, which is selling horses, and I took videos of the horses but can't get them off the blasted bleeping camera. What a waste of money and time. I've spent countless hours this week trying to figure it out. My advice: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THE VIXIA HV30. If Canon doesn't know how to make good products, we don't need to support them.

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OK...Maybe I was quick to criticize
Jan 2, 2009 10:57AM PST

For those of you non-tech savvy people like me, I just figured out how to get the video onto my computer. Here's what I did:

First, I purchased a "6 ft. digital IEEE 1394 Cable" from RadioShack. One end fits the HDV/DV slot on my Canon Vixia HV30, the other fits in my HP Pavillion dv1000 notebook.

Next, I called Canon, and they walked me through my menu settings. Press the "FUNC" button on your camera (when it is NOT hooked to your computer). Then go to menu, then make sure to choose "DV Locked" (it's in there somewhere). He explained to me that because my computer didn't have an HDV editing program, I needed to lock that function).

Immediately, my computer recognized the camera. I then was able to use Windows Movie Maker to make a movie.

Good luck...I hope this helps.

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thanks
Jan 15, 2009 9:06AM PST

You just saved me a bunch of time. I've been struggling with the hv30 for the better part of an hour, with out your post it may have gone on forever.

thanks,
tah

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Finally have raw video to edit!
Aug 16, 2009 10:24AM PDT

Cheers cw! i followed your instructions and it worked! i can finally capture video from the hv30 using Magix Movie Edit Pro 11. it has taken me almost a year between finding the right firewire card, the right firewire plug and the right forum advice. phew!

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Thank You!!!
Jan 28, 2010 5:00AM PST

This post was super helpful! I had the camera connected and did not have DV locked. as soon as it set that option, the computer (like you said) immediatly asked to import the video when I plugged the camera in.

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Re: OK...Maybe I was quick to criticize
Apr 28, 2010 2:22AM PDT

I changed this setting too and now my HP Windows 7 machine recognizes the camcorder and I'm able to capture the video. QUESTION: Does this mean my video won't be captured in HD?

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Capture in HD
Oct 23, 2010 7:09AM PDT

I used to use Pinnacle Studio 8 thru 11 until this weekend when it went bad on me and it will no longer initialize the program. In the past, I had not problems with it recognizing my camcorder and capturing in full HD.

I purchased Power Director 8, it installed great. It has an HD Cam icon and when I had it set to HDV/DV which is where I always had it set I thought, I get an iLink not compatible with HD error.

Soooooo:
1. In DV Locked mode, I can capture video and see it in my playback screen on the editor.
2. In HDV/DV mode, I get an error.

After reviewing the HV30 camcorder manual pg 77, I am assuming that it will capture in HD because Menu/PlayOutSetup/Playback STD/ is set for HDV. It doesn't make sense to me since I can't capture when it recognizes the HV30 when it is set to HDV/DV.

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RESOLUTION for HV 30 HD Capture
Oct 24, 2010 3:04PM PDT

Great News!!!!! After Cyberlink and HDVSplit weren't allowing my HV 30 to capture in HD, I downloaded Pinnacle Studio 14 Trial. It also failed. I Googled help with Pinn Stud 14 and HV 30. Found the following post that cured my problem.

Forum:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7pictures/thread/48bca32e-011b-4025-a119-539bad52c389

"I found that using the JMicron 1394 firewire driver finally worked on my HP Windows 7 64 bit laptop worked. Here is the link to the driver. http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&softwareitem=ob-74849-1&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN"

I can now capture HV30 HD on all three softwares. Finally my current frustration is over and I can pass on some great news to the forum.

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HV30
Jan 12, 2009 5:59AM PST

From what I gather, you have not done any reasearch at all. The Canon HV30 is simply fantastic. No camcorder provides you with software.HELLO!!!
I have no problem at all capturing to my computer using iMovie or Final Cut Express. Your only problem is windows.