The specs seem to match up, in fact, the HV30 exceeds in Megapixels...

Does anyone use this model to capture tapes from the XHA1s? I have a small dv consumer camcorder that I have used for several years for my XL1s, so it is just used for recording only.

Any other recommendations?
Thanks!

The HV cameras are the perfect capture cams for the Canon XL/XH series cameras.

What's most important is that they read the Canon progressive F modes, so they will capture any mode that your camera will shoot.

Hope this helps.

I use the HV30 to capture from my XH A1s, no problems to report.

all righty,
thank you guys!

hi guys, could someone educate me as to this technique? Is the HV30 used as a playback deck? I'm looking at finding what else I need as to not use my XHA1 for play back, or am I missing the point here?

the idea is to save the wear on the XH heads, so it would be advisable to use the HV30 as both a capture and playback deck.

or pick up a used firestore, datavideo DN-60, or sony mrc1 firewire recorder and go tapeless.

The idea isn't really to "save wear on the heads" -- you could use the XH for playback every day and not adversely affect the tape playback heads. The notion that you shouldn't use the XH as a playback deck is a complete myth. Instead, the real advantage of using an HV camcorder as a playback deck is to keep your XH free for shooting -- because it's not earning if it's not shooting.

perhaps, but i had to pay for the heads on an old minolta camera to be replaced/serviced, and it was not cheap.

ive gone tapeless anyways, so its a non-issue for me.

Thanks Chris, excellent point. Panagiotis, I didn't even think of tape less when I was shopping, Getting over the 1H limit would be great for some jobs, I will definitely keep an eye out for solutions as they are posted. Thanks again guys.

The HVs are no slouches as far as recording their own footage either.

I don't know how true this is, but I saw in another forum post that the HV has HDMI output. That would be good if you use a box like the Matrox MX02 for capture and you don't want to use firewire. If anyone can verify this, please let me know.

The HV30 MiniDV does have HDMI.