High Definition video question and "need help" Gabe-Tonda wed video.
 

My friend and I used some of my equipment to video tape Gabe and Tonda's wedding. We used my JVC High Definition camera. I got the camera many months back as a steal purchase on Ebay. I have used numerous times, all times resulted in good experiences.

However, reading the reviews prior to purchase, I noticed that one flaw was cited many times: The function button (on, off, video, export) was known to be difficult to use. This did not effect my purchase in the slightest, if you read reviews on the Canon 20D, it gets the same bad mark. And at the cost of purchase, I did not care.

When the item arrived, I noticed that the button was not only tough to turn, but didn't feel super sturdy. However, I considered the price and was just aware and careful with it. I used the camera many times, as I do all my photography equipment, again, everything was fine.

So several weeks back, my friend and I combined resources to film Gabe and Tonda's wedding. We figured our equipment was a lot better than most wedding videographers and they are friends, etc. Everything went perfect, until the very end of the night when I was leaving. The other guy whom was shooting came over and told me the button broke off. Now, I warned him this could happen, however, I think the button was crap to begin with. I thought very little of this until I tried to replace it. It would not go back on and I could not get power back to the camcorder, which also led to not being able to eject the tape. So I took it into JVC.

They quoted me at a price that is simply not worth fixing it. Plus their support is ridiculous and terrible. I am not confident that if I fix it, I will not have the same issue again. However they removed the tape and I pick it up on Monday.

That said.....

1) The video is shot in HD, can I export HD video from a regular digital camcorder? What about exporting it from another HD cam, such as a Canon? Will this hurt anything? Compromise the video?

2) If we can't export ourselves, are there any local High Def guys in LA / OC, or going to Vegas, that could export the 2 HDV tapes for us? We can edit, we just need the files. I can send / bring a harddrive, or whatever is needed.

I have done research on the net, however I have come up empty handed. I am great for working with still cameras, but video was something I was just learning (as far as post-production is concerned). This issue was obviously, totally unexpected. I figure some of you GFY Video guys might be able to help. I feel terrible about the situation, but at the end of the day, I feel helpless as HD is relatively new nad the camcorders are not exactly prevalent. Obviously this is an important video.

Thanks in advance,

Cory.

Bummer. :( Good luck with it.


If you find you can export from another camera, I'll have a sony HDV 1080i camera in vegas.

You would be a lifesaver. I hope an HD Editor chimes in as to whether or not this would work.

Really appreciate it.

I'm also about an hour south if you need it sooner or after.

I have been told by a few different people that you can NOT use a tape shot on a JVC in a Sony and vice versa. You should be able to use another JVC camera though.

I will do it for ya.I got the same JVC you do :thumbsup

I just need the tapes.

Hit me up.

That is what I thought might be the case.

That would be great.

You know HDV's decks are not that expensive to lend. I would say you could get it for a full day for around 200$

I will do a good job, I love making the WEG Cash Family happy:)

bump for Cory

Wish i could help but I have no clue

Thank you to everyone who has/is offering up help. Cory and another friend of ours offered to do the video as a wedding gift to Gabe and I. It is so thoughtful of them to continue on with this project as it has turned out to be much more difficult than originally expected.

A huge thank you to all!

Screw all this copying crap - let's have a do over! I'm up for another Tonda and Gabe wedding :)

Well, if the camera has any type of digital out, it should work. I personally don't have an HD cam so I don't know. It is digital though, so I assume it would have the ability. Good luck.