How do experienced editors/colorists make video look better? Any tips?

I am an amateur editor working on a documentary about WW II airplanes.
The footage was shot on a Cannon HV30 in HDV with the 30p mode. The footage looks great (with some needing color correction), but still looks "videoish" when played on a standard TV.
I was just curious about what more experienced and artistic editors use to make their material look better.
I'm not talking about drastic changes like one might make to a dramatic film, but slight stylistic changes/additions to take the edge off of the video.
For example I've read about adding a very slight channel blur, reducing the contrast a bit, etc.
Any tips would be appreciated.
BTW, I've stayed in HDV for the edit and will follow these instructions for finally ending up on a SD DVD: http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/hdv_timeline_to_sddvd.html

It really depends on the tools that you have. It sounds like your are using a consumer grade camera to shoot a documentary, which makes color grading in post that much more important. Obviously the better the camera and lighting the better your video/film is going to look. Because your working with a HV30 you're going to have to take a few extra steps to make your footage shine in post. I'm not a huge fan of Magic Bullet. If your under a deadline, and you want to impress a client, sweet use it, but if you take pride in your work as a digital artist, and want to understand how color grading works with video I would recommend getting to know these programs: After Effects, Photoshop, Color, and Final Cut Pro. Each of those programs has the following effects/parameters that you can use for color grading: Saturation, Levels, Curves, Contrast/Brightness, and Composite Modes in FCP, PS, and AE. Do not get too comfortable using 3rd party plugins otherwise you'll become dependent on them.
Peace
GC

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