XL-H1 users…share your experiences please?

[Aviator]

Hi All,

I’ve been shooting Beta-SP for 10 years and recently swithched to DVCam (Ikegami HL DV-5).

I’m getting requests to shoot in HD and took the Sony HD Workshop on the 730. But, as that camera is out of my $ range I’ve been considering the Canon XL H1. I’ve checked it out on line and shot a bit with it at a recent demo.

A couple of questions: I see that it is swithable to 4:3 SD. Does that mean that it will record that 4:3 SD on tape or does it output that signal…or both? Also, I’ve noticed that the Sony Z1 records HDV, DV and DVCam. Does the H1 record in DVCam as well?

I’m looking for a transitional camera package that will allow me to service existing clients in 4:3 SD and be able to move to HDV as needed.

I just stumbled onto the Cow as I was checking out H1 references on Google and it sounds like you folks know the camera.

Thanks in advance!

[Don Greening]

[Aviator] “Does that mean that it will record that 4:3 SD on tape or does it output that signal…or both?”

It’s both. When you switch to 4:3 the camera will disable the appropriate no. of pixels right on the CCD’s to record the full screen aspect ratio.

[Aviator] “Does the H1 record in DVCam as well?”

The Canon XL-H1 doesn’t record DV CAM, which runs at a faster tape speed but the image is the same.

– Don

[Donald Berube]

[REPLY Dated September 9, 2006]
FCP v5.1 does not yet natively support the XL H1 in 24F Mode…

This is all changing rapidly because just this week during the IBC Expo in Amsterdam, Apple annouced that FCP version 5.1.2 is coming soon with native 24F support. FCP v5.1.2 will fully support capture and device control (with TimeCode), 24F editing and 24F output over firewire to the XL H1 (in addition to the current native support of 60i Mode).

Release date will most likely be October. This will most likely be a free update – only available to FCP5.1 owners. If v5.1 is installed on your Mac, you’ll simply run the software update app from the Apple menu to automatically update FCP 5.1 (or 5.1.1) to 5.1.2. This, of course, when the update is officially released – sometime shortly – in October.

Expect to see more news made available shortly from Canon and Apple.

– don
https://noisybrain.com
https://www.bosfcpug.org
https://fcpugnetwork.org

[Miles Johnston]

Very disappointed in the default colorimetry setups. Very dull. Life less.
Could not believe it is mute when using the SD/HD SDI function. Still cant!

Access to setups and pluggery all very good. I have an XL-1 so it was natural to get the HD version. I also have a small JVC Hard Disc camera, and its shaky as hell, and having to haul a PC along to dump down to Hard Drive, shooting and keeping content is a major pain, especially now with airline surcharges on extra weight are so high.
The DVD dump feature, with compressed video is anothger damn box to bring with you.
So I shoot on 1440 mode, and dump to miniDV. So until the Hard Drive cameras can offer a sensible way of getting the media off them, Canons decision to stay with tape is sound.
What is the point of having to run around with PCs and MACs, when a small tape is easy to store/is light and easy to get in different countries, and locations.
having lost an SD card due to slight moisture and sweaty fingers in hot weather, I have very little trust in SD/Solid state storage media.
Love the camera.

Frustrated with getting 4 track audio off it to FCP.

[Todd Terry]

[Miles Johnston] “Love the camera.”

I agree.

I could go on and on about the XLH1, but I have already done so many times on the COW, other forums, magazine articles, etc.

I’m an old Sony guy, but it’s simply my favorite camera of any that I have bought or used throughout the years… from a little Hi8 up to 35mm film.

I am a little surprised that you can’t pump out analog audio along with the HD-SDI signal… we just don’t simply use the camera that way so I’ve never had need to test that, but I will.

The factory default setting is terrible, but the incredible number of tweakable parameters allow for painting in an absolutely stunning picture. We have a number of presets that emulate my favorite filmstocks and it works like a charm.

I used to shoot a lot of 35mm film for television commercials, but since getting an XLH1 right when they first came out and marrying it with a P+S Technik converter and Leitz-Panavision primes, I haven’t even cracked the cases on any of my film cameras… and have even sold off most of the 16mm gear. I’ve kept the 35mm stuff, but as I said, I honestly never use it.

Anxious to see what Canon has up its sleeve next…

T2

__________________________________
Todd Terry
Creative Director
Fantastic Plastic Entertainment, Inc.
fantasticplastic.com