Canon Vixia HF200 - Best Settings To Use

[rizzader]

Hi everyone!

I just recently got my very first camcorder ever. It's the HF200 by Canon. I have been using Final Cut Pro X for my editing. I was wondering if someone could let me know the settings to use to achieve the highest quality video footage. I am planning on shooting music videos and releasing them to the internet.

When I click the function button, here are the settings that I am using:

Cine Mode
Automatic (AWB)
Vivid (V)
Digital Effects Off
High Quality 24 Mbps (MXP)
S LW (2304x1296)

Under Menu:

Frame Rate - 60i (Standard)
x.v.Color - On (color)
Digital Zoom - 60x
Zoom Speed - Variable
AF Mode - Instant AF
Image Stabilizer - On
Wind Screen - Automatic
Microphone Attenuator - Off
Self Timer - Off
Focus Assist Functions - On
Onscreen Markers - Grid (Gray)
Audio Level Indicator - On
Component Output - 1080i
Control for HDMI - On

Now, I notice when I switch from Cine Mode to the other options that it gets very noisy (grainy?) but, it gets a lot brighter. The Cine Mode seems to be very dark but it seems to look the least noisy. I appreciate anyone that takes time to help me out so much. Thanks, I look forward to hearing back!

Chad Reis
BasementBeatz

[smrpix]

In shooting, there are a few technical answers for "best," such as use the highest bitrate possible and use manual controls rather than automatic ones -- but beyond that "best" is an aesthetic question. Issues of color saturation, graininess, camera shake, framerate all come down to what looks best to you, what look suits your story/project.

Take the camera out and try it in all sorts of different conditions -- outdoor, indoor, dim light, contrasty light, even light, fluorescent, daylight, colored stage light. Test out and learn the different settings and see what they do. Try different focal lengths, and different depths of field. Educate yourself about both the camera's capabilities and your own preferences.