Part of Canon’s success last year in a number of different camcorder categories was a common imaging system: a 1/2.7-inch CCD chip with a gross pixel count of 2,070,000 and the DigicDV II processor. Every camcorder they’ve produced using this system, regardless of which format it records to, has been a top performer in our tests. It was no surprise that the HV30 produced excellent video in both bright and low light.

No doubt some of the HV20 and HV30’s allure lies in the option to record in multiple frame rates. While most camcorder only capture at 60 interlaced fields per second, the HV20 also offered a 24P (24 progressive frames per second), coveted among budget auteurs for its “filmic” look. The HV30 adds a 30P mode, which Canon claims is ideal for video destined for the web. As most online video runs at 15 frames per second, an editing program can simply and neatly remove every other frame from 30P video. Even if this purpose is never explored, 30P video gives your video a great look, smoother than 60i but without the blurring associated with 24P.

Point-and-shooters who don’t want to worry about the finer points of operation will find comfort in the Canon HV30. A clearly marked “Auto” switch on the right side of the camcorder shifts the camcorder into auto pilot. Automatic responses to changes in light are a little slower in shooting modes other than 60i, but more than acceptable across the board.

Video enthusiasts will love most aspects of the HV30, though competing models all offers something compelling. The manual control and handling remain virtually identical to the HV20. Most operation is done through the rear-mounted joystick, which could use some beefing up. The zoom toggle’s size was increased in this generation, so why not one more enlargement? The manual focus system is the second best in consumer HD, behind the JVC Everio series of HD camcorders. The HV30 features a dial on the left side for rolling to precisely the point of focus. While focusing, a touch of a button on the LCD panel will automatically zoom in (digitally) and activate a peaking tool that exaggerates contrast, helping to better define the edges of objects to get them in focus. All manual controls are well-located and easy to navigate with a little practice.

One note to fervent filmmakers and rugged outdoors-types. While the Canon HV30 has a lot of winning features, a sturdy build is not one of them. The construction feels cheap and will likely not stand up to a lot of abuse. Shooters from this crowd have vouched for last year’s Sony HDR-HC7 over the HV20: both are HDV camcorders with many similar features. The upcoming Sony HDR-HC9 is expected to be very similar.

Like your favorite sci-fi movie repackaged into a elaborate DVD box set, most camcorders in the upper echelons offer a lot of bonus features and special goodies. Depending on your shooting habits, you may or may not find these useful. Canon is one of the few manufacturers to offer control over how color is reproduced, located in a series of simple adjustments collectively called Image Effects. The aforementioned 30P and 24P frame rates are a great addition, but only if you find a use for them. Be advised not to mix and match frame rates in a single editing project, because the difference to the audience is jarring.

The Canon HV30 records in the HDV format to MiniDV tapes – the same tapes that have been in use on DV camcorders for years. Higher grade MiniDV tapes are available just for HDV, but they’re not required. To date, HDV still offers the highest video quality over competing formats, but the gap is likely to shrink this year.

The big question to consider before buying the Canon HV30 is this: has tape-based media peaked? For the last few years, emerging formats for consumer HD have been nipping at the heels of HDV. So far, most have delivered on the promise of convenience, but not on quality. Tape requires realtime transfer to your computer, while formats like AVCHD create files that can be dragged and dropped right onto the desktop. However, AVCHD video has heretofor shown a lot of blocky compression artifacts, as well as a lot of editing and compatibility headaches. There is hope that 2008 may be the year that AVCHD is finally able to overcome that hurdle, but it pays to remain skeptical.

In the meantime, the HV30 is a worthy investment. If you can endure under the minor frustrations that come with tape recording, you’ll be rewarded with outstanding video quality.