Best film-like setting for Canon Vixia HV30?

Question

I recently got a Canon Vixia HV30 and I was wondering what is the best setting I can put this on to emulate film-like quality.

I put it on Cinema mode and 24p, but is it necessary to have both going or is there a way to get even better quality?

Answer 1

We do not have or use the Canon HV30, but we can definitely discuss Cinema mode and 24p.  There are two things you must understand in order to make your video seem like it was recorded on cellulose film.

The first thing you need to understand is Frame Rate.

Camcorders and Your Needs - http://motionpicturecentral.com/content/...

- Frame Rate is the speed and timing at which your camcorder records data from its imaging chip.  Most camcorders operate at a rate of 30 or 60 frames a second to sync with television.  Cellulose film cameras open and close their shutters at 24 frames a second.   24 frames a second is the slowest rate at which still images can be flashed in front of the average human eye in order to show smooth movement of objects changing position from one photo to the next.

- If you are recording a subject that is stationary, you can leave your camcorder at the default 30 frames a seconds - it won't matter.  If you are recording a subject that is moving a lot, switching the Frame Rate will give you a different 'feel'.  The difference of recording 24 frames a second for theatrical recording versus recording 30 frames a second for television can be very noticeable at times, depending upon the movement recorded.  http://media.libsyn.com/media/idlemindsp...

The second thing you need to know are Program Modes or Scene Mode

  * This is where it can become quite complicated

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- The Program or Scene Modes on your camcorder are a programmed group of settings for recording a particular situation.  Program Modes are is usually based around specific lighting conditions.  The modes are not individual settings.  They are a group of settings that are designed to make the most optimal changes for filming a particular situation that is outside the range of your camcorder's default settings.  Consumer cameras do not allow a lot of manual changes, and program modes allow you to override these limitations.  Professional camcorders allow a lot of manual changes, but the time and patience needed to choose the exact setting for each feature can be very costly.  Manufacturers put the most common or optimal mode settings on professional camcorders in order for the user to save time.

- Most camcorders come with modes for recording indoors, outdoors, fast movement, and low light.  Some go further and include settings for fireworks, snow, sand, and ice.  The new mode all manufactures are adding is 'Cinema' or 'Film'.

- Cinema or Film modes are a selection of settings designed to make your camcorder's video chips process images so the color, resolution, and exposure mimic that of cellulose film.  Due to the current technology of digital imaging, the modes can not make an accurate recreation of film, but it can create a decent representation.

- Consumer level camcorders normally have only one or two basic Cinema Film modes.  Professional camcorders can have 4 or more Cinema modes.  Most Professional camcorders created for 2008 also include the ability for the user to tweak, create, modify, and save their own unique settings for their particular requirements.

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