7D Video Recording Time

Page 157 of the user's manual has the chart showing the maximum recording times for a 4GB card as 12 minutes and a 16GB card as 49 minutes. But, below the chart it mentions that movie shooting will stop after the file size reaches 4GB or the movie time reaches 29 minutes 59 seconds, which implies it can exceed the 4GB limit.

If I use an 8GB or larger card, record at 1920x1080, hit the movie record button once, will it stop at the 4GB limit of 12 minutes or keep recording to about 24 minutes since it hasn't reached the movie time limit of 29+ minutes?
If it does continue to record beyond the 4GB limit of 12 minutes, is it doing so by creating a 2nd file (meaning the memory card will have two 12 minutes files)?

These are 2 totally different limitations. At 1920x1080, you'll hit the 4GB limit in around 12 minutes.

If you shoot standard def, or just shoot a blank white wall with no movement (less data), you can go longer. The 4GB limit is due to FAT32 file format (no single file can exceed 4GB - period - you can't even copy a file larger than 4GB on to the card), and the 29:59 limit (regardless of file size) is a limitation put in place by Canon to avoid additional European taxes placed on camcorders.

bpaulette wrote in post #10290368
These are 2 totally different limitations. At 1920x1080, you'll hit the 4GB limit in around 12 minutes.

If you shoot standard def, or just shoot a blank white wall with no movement (less data), you can go longer. The 4GB limit is due to FAT32 file format (no single file can exceed 4GB - period - you can't even copy a file larger than 4GB on to the card), and the 29:59 limit (regardless of file size) is a limitation put in place by Canon to avoid additional European taxes placed on camcorders.

very good. I re-read page 157 several times, and when you mention FAT32, it now is clear that 4GB is the limiting factor, and the maximum recording times vary on the format used (1080,720, etc). I now recall that same FAT32 4GB limit when capturing from tapes. thank you.

mauimike wrote in post #10290750
very good. I re-read page 157 several times, and when you mention FAT32, it now is clear that 4GB is the limiting factor, and the maximum recording times vary on the format used (1080,720, etc). I now recall that same FAT32 4GB limit when capturing from tapes. thank you.

Yes, FAT 32 does indeed have the 4GB limit. Many video cameras using flash memory cards (if not all?) use the FAT 32 format. They however just write to a new file on the fly. I rented a Panasonic HMC-150 that just created a bunch of 4 GB files, which were joined up in the editor to make a continuous hour of recording. I wonder why Canon doesn't do this?

A common answer is that the camera would be subject to additional import duties, because it would fall under the classification as a video camera. I find that pretty hard to believe, and would love to know the real scoop.

pixelriffic wrote in post #10343215
Yes, FAT 32 does indeed have the 4GB limit. Many video cameras using flash memory cards (if not all?) use the FAT 32 format. They however just write to a new file on the fly. I rented a Panasonic HMC-150 that just created a bunch of 4 GB files, which were joined up in the editor to make a continuous hour of recording. I wonder why Canon doesn't do this?

A common answer is that the camera would be subject to additional import duties, because it would fall under the classification as a video camera. I find that pretty hard to believe, and would love to know the real scoop.

It actually is due to import duties, but ONLY because of europe. UK in particular requires ridiculous import duties on camcorders, even though they don't have any companies that make those devices in state. Just protectionism gone wrong.

They could still avoid those import duties by allowing us to span files up to 29:59. That would be a little better... ugh

bpaulette wrote in post #10344164
They could still avoid those import duties by allowing us to span files up to 29:59. That would be a little better... ugh

Now that would be a solution. I don't know the internal machinations that go on in Canon, but I wonder if they are trying to protect their professional camcorder business as well by limiting it to 9-12 minutes.

RWatkins wrote in post #10344387
Now that would be a solution. I don't know the internal machinations that go on in Canon, but I wonder if they are trying to protect their professional camcorder business as well by limiting it to 9-12 minutes.

While this seems possible, I doubt it's the case. I've shot hundreds of hours of event video, and these DSLRs are not cut out for that task. Not just the limited shoot time, but you gotta have continuous auto focus for event video. The design and ergonomics of a camera like the XH-A1 are so much better suited to the task.

pixelriffic wrote in post #10344703
... you gotta have continuous auto focus for event video.

Not sure what you mean exactly by event video, but I've shot many live performances, both theatre and music, up to 2.5 hrs long, and have done very well without continuous auto focus. I do use a 2 camera setup - stop/start each at different times, so there's never a gap, and use manual follow focus gears for the tight shot camera, and have become extremely good at keeping even rapidly moving subjects in focus for long periods of time... and the quality of the finished product FAR surpasses that of other dedicated video cameras I've also used.

Haven't tried the XH-A1 specifically, but I have used others, most recently tried using an HVX200 as a third camera for a shoot, and ended up not using it at all because it just looked absolutely terrible compared to the 5d2/7d footage.

Granted though... if you've only got one camera, and you have to get a totally continuous shot that exceeds 12 mins, dslr's are NOT the right tool.

bpaulette wrote in post #10345199
Not sure what you mean exactly by event video, but I've shot many live performances, both theatre and music, up to 2.5 hrs long, and have done very well without continuous auto focus. I do use a 2 camera setup - stop/start each at different times, so there's never a gap, and use manual follow focus gears for the tight shot camera, and have become extremely good at keeping even rapidly moving subjects in focus for long periods of time... and the quality of the finished product FAR surpasses that of other dedicated video cameras I've also used.

Haven't tried the XH-A1 specifically, but I have used others, most recently tried using an HVX200 as a third camera for a shoot, and ended up not using it at all because it just looked absolutely terrible compared to the 5d2/7d footage.

Granted though... if you've only got one camera, and you have to get a totally continuous shot that exceeds 12 mins, dslr's are NOT the right tool.

By "event video", I'm referring mostly to weddings, but we also do graduation ceremonies, bar/batmitzvahs, Quincineras, and so on. With hours of shooting, the short time limit is an issue. We do shoot the wedding, or mass, and what have you, with two cameras. The rest of the event is one camera. The term "run and gun" refers specifically to the work that I do. I would not recommend this camera for this sort of work.

I will however say that you could add the 7D to your toolbox for some gorgeous b-roll. I would never trust it for event video, but it's so cheap for what it does. Oh, and it's an awesome still camera too.

pixelriffic wrote in post #10344703
While this seems possible, I doubt it's the case. I've shot hundreds of hours of event video, and these DSLRs are not cut out for that task. Not just the limited shoot time, but you gotta have continuous auto focus for event video. The design and ergonomics of a camera like the XH-A1 are so much better suited to the task.

Definitely the camcorder is better suited to many task.

I'd argue there are three types of potential buyers. First, the buyer who only needs a dSLR or dSLR camera w/ video. Second are users who can use either a dSLR w/ video or a camcorder to make HD video. Third are users who can only use a camcorder (e.g. sports videography) for video work. I wonder if Canon is focusing on the second group by encouraging them to buy both a dSLR and a camcorder, as opposed to going with just a dSLR and forgoing the camcorder in the process.