The main differences between the HV30 and HV40 are that the HV40 has:

1. Native 24P (records just like 24F on the XL/XH cams)
2. Custom Button - you can assign focus assist, grids, BLC, and magnify to it
3. You can record the magnify function (magnified image) to tape now
4. Camera body is a deeper black, built from the same plastic as the HF S10
5. Camera startup sound has new VIXIA 2009 chime
6. Lettering on the camera body is now a subdued gold as opposed to white

That's it.

Hope that helps anyone looking to upgrade!

Can't some of this be accomplished on the HV30 if Canon was able to give a firmware update to the HV30? Or does Native 24p need a new chipset?

They'd never do that. Remember how the XH A1 was supposed to be updatable, Instead they came out with the S model. The idea is to sell you more cameras, not update old one.

Can that chime be turned off?

That chime can be turned off.

The XH series was never claimed by Canon to be updateable. And there were too many hardware changes to the S model anyway.

So, I should follow the trend of selling my HV30 to get a HV40? I personally hate the cadence breaks with the 24p over 60i and would love for native progressive.

And I'd only have to spend a extra $100, right?

The MSRP of the HV40 is exactly what it was for the HV30 when it was first announced, so the only difference in cash is determined by how much you'll get for selling your HV30... assuming of course that you've determined that you absolutely must have that feature set upgrade.

Can anyone check if the HV40 still has the annoying motor noise.

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It comes and goes every few seconds.

My new HV40 had a very slight noticeable motor noise when I first bought it. But, by the third tape, the noise is no longer there. I have run over 12 tapes through the Camcorder in the last three weeks with no problems. The HV40 is well worth the investment. I'm glad I waited for the HV40 and did not invest in the HV30.

does the hv 40 use a different memory card? the hv 30 uses a mini SD, which i cannot find in any local electronics, photography, video or phone store. very annoyed i have to order it online (card: $13.99 S&H: $11.99!!!!) and that canon not only chose a medium of questionable longevity, but also did not include it with the camera...

does the hv 40 use a different memory card? the hv 30 uses a mini SD, which i cannot find in any local electronics, photography, video or phone store. very annoyed i have to order it online (card: $13.99 S&H: $11.99!!!!) and that canon not only chose a medium of questionable longevity, but also did not include it with the camera...

The HV40 does use the same mini SD card as in the HV30.