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I can answer my own question. It’s pretty simple. In the audio set-up menu, there is a choice of 2 or 4 channel audio. In the 2 channel mode, audio channel 1 and two are accessed through the xlrs, and controlled by the 1 and 2 faders. Obvious, and stated in the manual fairly clearly. To record 4 channel, you need the auxilliary mixer/input converter that then gives you control over 3 &4. My problem is that Vegas can’t capture 4 channel audio, nor will Premiere. But at least I now know it will work.

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This is all good information, but my immediate problem is that I recorded my main audio on channel 4, and I cannot get either Sony Vegas Or Premier Pro, the two editing programs I have to recognize and capture channel 4– just 1 and 2. I’m looking for a solution to capture channel 4. Evidently some editors/cards will capture it. But I just need a firewire capture application that will make an .avi with the 4 channels of audio.

Someone suggested scenealyzer, but I don’t see anything about 4 channels in their documentation; and it did not automatically recognize anything except 1 and 2.

Thanks for your help.

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So, I guess it’s a shortcoming in Sony Vegas that it won’t capture 4 channels. I couldn’t get Adobe Premier to do it either. But I did have one expert say that Matrox cards can decipher the 4 channels. Seems like every configuration has different capabilities, even on this pretty basic level.

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The JVC GYDV 5000 is the best out there for a lot of reasons. The Canons are prima-donna, awkward beasts that have a few great features, but a lot traps designed in by engineers who know more about photocopiers, calculators and still cameras than video. Think about what JVC makes: video audio. That’s all. They do it better and cheaper than all the others.

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It seems that Canon neglected to include a switchable output for audio. So, channels 3-4 are incompatable with every NLE. If you put audio on either of those channels, you cannot access them for video editing. If that’s really the case, it’s a dumb trap for XLH1 owners. The solution is throw away the stereo camera mic, buy a mono, wire it into the rear XLR and then put your lav into audio2. Then you have 2 discreet audio channels that can be captured by any NLE. Just like real professional cameras.

It’s so weird that Canon put so much effort into the visual aspects of the camera, then put together a simply weird and convoluted audio system that can’t make up its mind whether its an amateur or pro machine. From various forums it sounds like pro users have been complaining about this for years.

Let it be said here: Shame on Canon for its rinky-dink approach to audio for video!

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what do you mean by 4 channels of substandard sound?

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Can you shoot and edit SD video with this camera?
YES, A SIMPLE MENU SWITCH AND STANDARD DV OUT GETS YOUTHERE

Do you have to down convert from HDV to SD?
NO
Where did you purchase, what comes with the package for the price and how much.
CHECK WITH ALL DEALERS- I RECOMMEND FULL COMPASS– THEY KNOW THE GEAR AND STAND BEHIND YOU; THEY MAY BE A FEW BUCKS MORE, BUT DEFINITELY WORTH IT– THEY LOVE TALKING TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND IF THEY DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER, THEY’LL CALL THE FACTORY TO GET IT.

I really like the specs on the camera and will probably purchase one. I’m just not set up for HDV and don’r want to go that routs just yet. Thanks

IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, GO HDV; BUT IF YOU PLAN TO GET A NEW CAMERA WITHIN 3 YEARS; GET STANDARD DEF AND SAVE SOME $$ HDV IS REALLY A CHEAP ENTRY INTO BROADCAST TV. FOR WEDDINGS, INDUSTRIAL, YOUTUBE, SD IS FINE UNTIL THERE’S AN AFFORDABLE HD DISTRIBUTION MEDIUM.

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I’ve been shooting for 20 years, and this is the most intelligent camera I’ve ever had. It has every adjustment I ever wanted. It almost guarantees excellent footage, if you set it up right (which is easy!!).

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Thanks but Canon suggested I buy their little HV-10 camera at around $1100 and use it for a deck. Makes sense, and I get an extra mini cam for special situations. It’s not as great as a deck for quick cuing of re-captured scenes or batch captures, but it’s ok.

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can someone recommend a knowledgable retailer of the sony deck?