Shooting settings for optimal viewing in FCE (Canon Vixia HF20)

Hi, I own the Canon Vixia HF20 and I've read in various places to shoot/record in the Cinema Mode setting if you're looking to make movie-esque videos. Additionally, I found this last night in the camcorder user manual "Combine the Cinema Mode recording program with the 24 fps progressive frame rate (PF24) to get the enhanced effect of the 24p Cinema Mode.
I have absolutely no idea what the difference is between 60i, PF30 or PF24. I've already shot a lot of stuff on the 60i setting. Is there a huge difference between 60i vs. PF24. Drawbacks? Recommendations? Ultimately, I'm trying to record on the best settings for optimal compatibility with FCE.
I'm a huge novice as far the tech specs so any help is appreciated. Thanks and sorry for the long winded post.

Thanks for the info Wally. As mine is mainly for DVD I will stick with interlaced.
When I first got my Canon HV20 I tested the 50i and PF25 modes and couldn't detect any difference.
Incidentally the PF25/30 modes do not produce 25 or 30 full frames. They really shoot 50 or 60 fields exactly like interlaced footage except the 2 fields in each frame are identical, giving a similar effect to a single identical field that you would get in true progressive.

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Canon VIxia hf20 help!!!!!

Hello, I recently purchased the Canon Vixia hf20. For some reason when i put the camera into playback mode/connection mode the computer will recognize the device but the software which came with the camera will not discover the movie loaded onto it. I am using a mac and the software is compatible with mac. I have plugged the camera into the power source as well as connected it to my macbook via USB. I have tried connecting it to imovie 09 as well as ustream but that didn't work either. The drivers are up to date but for some reason it just wont work. If anyone could help me with this I would greatly appreciate it, Thanks - JP

Bad news -- it looks like the Vixia hf20 is NOT compatible in video mode with Mac. From the Canon web support site:
Issue: What is the Mac compatibility of my camcorder?
Solution: The digital video solutions disk is compatible with Mac OS 10.4 and up for stills only. No video related software is provided.
The video connectivity of the Canon DVD and Hard Disc Drive camcorders provided by the software bundled with them is designed for use with Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Microsoft Windows Vista only. The Sonic Roxio My DVD software included with some models is only compatible with the Windows XP SP2 operating system when combined with a computer supporting the USB 2.0 specification.
Macintosh OS10.4.3 and up users may be able to view the contents of a finalized disk or files recorded onto the hard drive (for hard disc drive models) on the computer when it is connected to a USB port on the computer. With a finalized disk loaded into the camcorder the camera should show up on the desktop as a mounted drive and files may be copied (dragged) from the disk using normal procedures. Any desired editing, playback or other features may require additional third party software.
Note: Proper operation is not guaranteed.

Importing files from Canon Vixia HF20 without power adaptor.

Hi There,
I recorded videos on my Canon Vixia HF20 and no longer have the power adaptor for the camera. Everytime I go to import the videos into Final Cut Express, the camera says 'connect to power adaptor'. Is there a way to get the files from the camera without purchasing a power adaptor?
Thanks for the help!
Mitch

I have an external battery charger that requires me to take the battery out of the camera. Something like this: http://www.canadatekk.com/battery-charger/canon/3811.htm
After searching and searching, I did just end up ordering one off Amazon. Hopefully it gets here before Christmas!
That being said, is there even a way to import videos without the power adaptor?!

Importing and burning mts files from my Canon Vixia HF20

I have the HD camcorder Canon Vixia HF20 (and love it btw). It creates .mts files. I downloaded the software that came with the camcorder for Macs, but it does absolutely nothing for me (as far as I can tell - maybe I am doing something wrong).
I downloaded VLC so I can watch the .mts files and it works great. However, I am completely stuck on how to a) burn them, b) transfer them to a file format that allows me to burn them.
I have a new Mac desktop and am a novice at using it (I've had a laptop for a while before the desktop). Thus, I don't know how to use iMovie. Everything I read says imovie will be able to burn the files. However, when I open iMovie, choose "import," it doesn't allow me to import anything b/c they are in the .mts file format. It's like they are "blacked out" and incapable of being uploaded from my computer's hard drive to it.
So, I'll quit rambling. I've researched this ad nauseum, so any help on how to burn these files would be so greatly appreciated. I do not have File Cut Pro. Thanks!

iMovie versions 7, 8 and 9 can import that file format but only from the camera.
Once you move the files off the camera you'll have to jump through some hoops to convert them.

Log and Transfer Crash FCP 6.06, from Canon Vixia HF20

I am having a strange problem in logging and transferring from FCP 6.06. I have been logging and transferring from my Canon Vixia HF20 without any problems for monthes. Then I have been granted access to a Sony HXR-NX5U NXCAM from work, I logged and Transferred from the flash memory unit HXR-FMU128, without any problems. But ever since I logged and Transfered from the sony flash unit, in attempting to log an transfer from my Canon Vixia has caused FCP to crash every single time. I then log and transfer again from the Sony Flash unit without any problems, after having dealt with the Canon transfer crashes.
Currently log and transfer from Song Flash unit always works, from Canon Vixia never works in FCO 6.06.....boooOOO!
Anyone else experience a problem like this?

Hi Eugene
Seems like maybe your FCP's preferences have taken a turn for the worse ... at least I haven't heard of this being a widespread issue so I would recommend you start by using a free app like Digital Rebellion's Preference Manager to make a backup copy of your current FCP user preferences, then use the same Preference Manager app to "trash" those existing prefs. Now restart FCP and see if the problem still persists .. hopefully not. If the problem is still there then you can use Preference Manager (again) to restore your previous prefs from the backup copy you made ... and you are back where you started.
Post back
Andy

Canon Vixia HF20 file import

Hi,
I just got a Canon Vixia HF20 AVCHD camcorder, but didn't think to see if it was compatible with Mac.
Does anyone have this camcorder and know how to get the video files transferred into the mac from it? I can mount the drive on my mac, but cannot find any video to import, although I know there is some on there? I have Final Cut Studio which I am going to try to use this with-

Jerry...so wonderful to see you are still delivering such helpful advice after so many years. I haven't visited this forum for years but remember how much I did when I first got started--and definitely needed and used your guidance.
What brings me back is that I got the canon HF 20 and used the importing method you mentioned below. But the files are ridiculously huge. I have cleared most of the 250 GB of space on my computer just to import and burn a DVD of a 1:18 piece.
Would I be able to get an external drive (I'm using a new mac pro 15" laptop) to import the files into and edit with, so I don't take up all my space on my computer? Or is there another method you might be able to suggest to import, edit and export these files?
Happy 4th!
Jake

Still trying to use 'get media' with canon VIXIA HF20

I have been working on this problem on and off for a while. I am using Premiere Elements 8 with a USB 2.0 connection to my Canon VIXIA HF20. Every time I open get media the camera is not seen. The PC sees it as a drive and I can access the stream on the camera through 'my computer', but can't figure out how to drectly download the streams into Eleiments. I have posted before as was advised to see if my camera was set to 'VTR'. I have checked high and low for this setting- manual, online, camera itself- and have not found anything even remotely related to this setting. Please if there are any ideas or if anyone has had this same issue and solved it PLEASE let me know.
Thanks much.

Actually, for AVCHD, USB is the the ONLY way to connect the camcorder to your computer -- and Premiere Elements' Video Importer should indeed see the camcorder over a USB connection.
It sounds like, for some reason, it's not working in this case. (I assume you've ensured that the USB is not a shared connection, and you've tried more than one USB socket. You've also gone to your Device Manager and ensured your computer's operating system sees the camcorder.)
Have you installed the camcorder's software to your computer? That may include some necessary connection drivers.
Otherwise, you can use your computer's operating system to move the video from the camcorder to your hard drive. Then you can use Get Media/From Files and Folders to get the video into your project.
It's not the way it's supposed to work, but it will do until you can figure out what's up with your configuration.

Canon Vixia HF20

I just bought a Canon Vixia HF20 and cannot get PE7 to recognize the camera in order to download files. First I tried to use the software that comes with the camera to download the files and then import into PE7, but the files become choppy. Then I tried to download the free trial of PE8 to see if that software worked, but somehow I get Photoshop when I download (did it twice).
So, 1) is there a way to directly import files from the Canon Vixia HF20 into PE7?
2) If not, can I do this using PE8? I don't mind paying to upgrade if that will work, I just wanted to use the trial version to make sure it would work prior to doing so.
Any help is much appreciated.

Baker,
I suspect that (as you observed) you may need to use the software that came with the camera in order to transfer the files from the camera to your computer hard drive and then import the files to Elements. Now the choppiness of playback might be caused by the resources of your computer.
However, I think that your questions are actually Premiere Elements questions: if they are then it would be better for you to post them in the Premiere Elements forum at
http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/premiere_elements
That is a better place for discussing the computer resources required to process the AVCHD format of your VIXIA HF20.

Help!!! Canon Vixia HF20

Hello,
I just purchased a Canon Vixia HF20. I have a Dual 867 PowerPC G4 with 768 MB ram. From what I have read I can run IMovie09 with this computer. If this is true can I edit the video from this camera on the computer with IMovie? I saw on the Canon site that you had to have a Intel processor to edit the video with a Mac. Is this true?
I do not think I can run Snow Leopard due to my processor.
Any help would be much appreciated...I don't wan't to buy the software if it is not going to work with my camera.
Thank you,
Drew

Above is correct. Your Canon HF20 records AVCHD, which requires a newer intel mac to work with.
Try downloading MPEG Streamclip. I think you can convert the videos from your camera to a quicktime movie and then edit them om your machine. It will take MANY HOURS to convert.
You could also have someone else convert them on a newer machine for you (friends or college computer lab).

HELP!! Video Editing Software, VHS to dvd, Canon Vixia HF20

I have several things I would like to accomplish and am not sure how to go about it! I have a laptop running Windows XP, a Canon Vixia HF20 Camcorder (I can get the videos onto computer), several 8mm video tapes and alot of VHS tapes. I would like to make dvd's of them all. I can't even get the video from my camcorder onto a dvd now! Please help me with what exactly what I need to do all of this. Thanks in advance!!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Hi hillracing80,
After doing some more research I found a product we sell called the Pinnacle Studio MovieBox Plus that should be able to recompress your HD video footage to MPEG-2 so you can burn your HD footage onto a DVD in order to be able to play your videos on a DVD player. This product should also allow you to connect a VHS player and your 8mm Sony Handycam to your computer and then convert your analog video footage to a digital format that can then be burn onto a DVD. This product has DV, S-video, and composite inputs and then outputs to your computer via a USB port. This means that any analog device that outputs using one of these types of connections (i.e. record player, cassette player) can be connected to your computer in order to upload and convert its signal to a digital copy in order to be edited and copied to a DVD, Blu-ray disc, or CD.
This product comes with Pinnacle Studio Plus software which allows the user to edit and burn your video and audio projects. This software sells for $79.99 by itself and this product retails for $99.99. This should work perfectly for your needs.
I hope this helps,
Allan
Community Connector
Best Buy® Corporate
Allan|Senior Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
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Canon Vixia HF20 to iMovie 08

I can't seem to figure out how to get the video that I recorded on my new Canon Vixia HF20 to my Macbook Pro into iMovie 08. The software that came in the box is only for windows (Image Mixer 3). There has to be a way to get this video on to my computer for editing purposes. I plugged in my camcorder to the computer and nothing happens and nothing is available when I search to import video.

I just purchased a new HF20 today.
To download videos from your camera to iMovie '08, connect the camera with the USB cable to your Mac. Turn the camera on. Open your camera's LCD screen so you can see it. Select a clip on your camera. Press play on the camera. You'll get a message on the LCD display telling you to connect your camera to the compact power adapter. Once you do that, you can select 'Import from camera' under 'File'. You will then see a dialogue box on your computer screen with thumbnails of the video clips on your camera. Follow the instructions in the dialogue box to import the videos to iMovies.
This should work fine without installing anything from the software discs that came with your HF20.
Hope that helps.

No Device Found [Canon Vixia HF20]

My HD camcorder does not show up when I try to connect to "Media". Yes, I am connected via USB but I continually get "No Device Found."

I used "Device Manager" to look at the specific USB port and it showed "Mass Storage Device". I have yet to see it in Windows Explorer.
This is what I did...
I plugged a USB drive into the port to see which port in Device Manager I was working with. It showed up as a "Mass Storage Device" -- good. I removed the device, plugged in the camcorder to the same port and refreshed Device Manager. It could be that it did not refresh properly and still tagged the port with Mass Storage Device.
I would try it again to verify but I have put the camera away as I am getting ready to go on a trip. I was hoping to download everything off the camera before I left but I'll just have to tackle this problem once I return.
[Update ... April 26, 2010]
My Canon Vixia HF20 comes with a software bundle from Pixela Corp. Supposedly, this software allows me to download movies from the camcorder to my computer. Well, it doesn't work on Windows 7. I downloaded and installed the latest "updater" from Pixela, which is supposed to fix the problem of interfacing with Windows 7. That didn't work either. So now I have this absolutely useless camcorder. Thanks Canon! You can be sure I'll never touch another one of your camcorders again!

Canon Vixia HF20 - .mts Files on Premiere - Do they work?

How can I edit my .mts files from my Canon Vixia HF20 on Premiere Pro?
I downloaded the trail version of Adobe Premiere Pro (CS4) and when I try to upload .mts files from my Canon Vixia HF20 (harddrive HD camcorder) they are not recognised. Simultaneously, I see on some posts elsewhere on the web that the full Premiere version does recognise these files... If the trail is suppose to work the same as the full version, I have my doubts about purchasing it.
If the files aren't recognised, are there plans in the future to enable these files in future versions?
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Kyle

Kyle,
Welcome to the forum.
This entry in the PrPro-Wiki will give you a lot of info on the trial version, including the MPEG limitation that Colin mentions.
Good luck,
Hunt

Will Canon Vixia HF20 work with Final Cut Pro 5?

Hello,
Just bought a new Canon vixia HF20, and heard that it doesn't work with Final Cut Pro 5, only six. Is this true?
Also? Whats the first step in importing from this camera if it does work?

iMovie saves the footage inside its project file.
Right click the icon, choose "Show Package Contents".
Open the Contents folder -the footage is in the Media subfolder.
Can you bring it into FCP?
Dunno. Give it a try.
If that does not work iMovie has various export options.

Optimal settings for export from 1080p camcorder - Canon HF100

I just bought an HF100 camcorder. When I make projects with iMovie what are best export settings for 1080p projects? What about for 480p for a DVD. I tried to export 1080p video and it looks grainy. I'm not sure if this is the fault of the camera or iMovie?
Also, when I play clips inside imovie the playback is choppy. Is there anyway to fix this?

I'm using a HF10, and I don't think iMovie '08 properly detects that 1080p recordings from these camcorders are progressive scan, but rather treats then like 1080i clips. I find I get better results by recording in the default 1080i if there's sideways motion in the video. That doesn't really surprise me - according to the AVCHD consortium website, there's no such thing as 1080p in AVCHD (see http://www.avchd-info.org/format/index.html).
DVDs are always interlaced anyway, so for best results you want to start with 1080i and not 1080p. I export at 960x540i, using the Quicktime export option selecting "High" quality mode. The default "Large" sharing option in iMovie uses a bitrate that I find too low for getting the best quality.
When you export at 1080p, what is your bitrate set to? That makes a lot of difference.
Finally, 1080p playback is very hard work for your computer. Try quitting other applications before playing back your video to get a smooth experience. Or export at 540p.

Shooting settings for optimal viewing in FCE (Canon Vixia HF20)

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