Rumour about the XL2 (perhaps PAL only...)

[Col_Dee]

I went to my local Panasonic/Sony camcorder shop the other day. Despite the name, they also stock JVC and Canon camcorders and seem equally clued up on them as on the Panasonic and Sony models. I only ever go in to have a play around on their display unit XL1s.

Anyway, the last time I went there the guy told me the XL2 was due to arrive in early September. But the other day, he said it was due to arrive in late September.

He claims the reason for the delay is this: Canon sent an advance unit of the XL2 to the BBC. The BBC techies and camera people used it for a few days and gave it back to Canon, saying that they would be very interested in buying large numbers of XL2's as long as certain modifications were made to it. Apparently these modifications mainly related to placement of certain switches and knobs. However, he also mentioned the lens being modified.

Canon then set about making these last-minute modifications to the XL2 design and this is setting the release date back, as you'd expect, by a few weeks.

Now I have absolutely no proof of this story. All I can say is the guy in the camcorder shop didn't seem to be bullshitting. He said that the fact Canon gave advance units to the BBC and then set about carrying out the BBC's recommendations at such a late time demonstrated the extent of Canon's commitment to the XL2. And it certainly would show a determination to make sure it was as good a flagship model as they could have, if the story were true. I mean, were the XL2 to be made good enough for the BBC to use it, it would be a damned good camera!

The same shop say they'll be selling the XL2 for around the £4300 mark, by the way.

[skippyfetus]

I was just getting ready to post a link to your post on DVInfo :)

Evidently, there have been XL2 sightings at stores like B&H... just boxes. I think this is probably just a rumor, since Canon has likley already shipped the first batch of XL2's. Besides, Canon has been working on this design for years and it's not likely that they'd change it for one major client.

[alpi69]

no way would they make changes now like that. it takes a lot of time to "switch a few knobs" or even change the design of the lens.

i guess BBC threw it back at them (like they did the DVX also) and told them what was wrong with it.
but it is the same again: ask the BBC who have access to DigiBeta and HDTV any time.....sure they will laugh at any 3000-5000 camera.

[Col_Dee]

it's not likely that they'd change it for one major client.

Do you know what the BBC is?

[the_director]

it may be that they did not like the perfomance. Canon will make it sound like that they did not like switch placements. We may be seeing an improved version soon if BBC would buy a large number but the switch placement would stay. Software change may be made to change function of these switches; we may see better lenses, thanks to BBC. BBC probably told them that they would be interested if certain changes were made. I doubt that there is a commitment. It would be extremely prestigeous for canon to get such an order and BBC would switch in low end ENG from PD150 to XL2. They may give the cameras to BBC for free to get such order. BBC broadcasts in digital, not in HD. So the XL2 with 16:9 would be good enough, if the image was good and there was a good lens with W/A to extreme telephoto range. The next HDV camera may then have improved DV also.

[the_director]

1st of September is when 24p cameras by Sony and Canon will come out, according to agreement they have with Matsushita.

[David Jimerson]

Sony?

Which agreement is that?

[Guest]

SONY?!

[gcaus]

The BBC thing can only be rumour. You don't make such major changes, even for a "major" client and get the product out a few weeks later. It takes a long time to simply "debug" the new product...

-Jerry

[the_director]

Sony has a little about $1K camera with 24p that they are introducing soon. Panasonic did not allow Canon to introduce their 24p Camera with the Panasonic's 24p technology until Sept. 1st.

[Mike_Donis]

$1K camera? 24P? Never heard of it - I'd not be surprised if that was just a rumour...I don't doubt you were told it exists, but I doubt the person who told you knew it was a fact.

[Thirsty]

I believe the Director is talking about this camera that camcorder info posted about a few months ago:

http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Sony-Announces-DCR-PC350-with-24-Frames-Progressive-Scan-Effect-for-under-$1300.htm

[Mike_Donis]

Ohhh, I remember this.

It drops every fifth frame - that sounds sketchy...

[the_director]

we don't really know how it works; Sony is the original lisensor of the DV format. let's see what they come out with.

[the_director]

I'd rather see 30p than screwed up 24p with dropped frames

[the_director]

there is some big electronic show in Holland in couple of days; this is where some intersting new cameras may get introduced

[skippyfetus]

Do you know what the BBC is?
Of course I know what the BBC is... how many cameras do you think the BBC would buy? Whatever the number, it wouldn't be a big enough percentage to change the design.

[Gary_McClurg]

director, let us know what you hear coming from Holland.

[David Jimerson]

Sony has a little about $1K camera with 24p that they are introducing soon. Panasonic did not allow Canon to introduce their 24p Camera with the Panasonic's 24p technology until Sept. 1st.

OHHHH . . . you're talking about that dinky little thing that "simulates" 24p by dropping every 5th frame.

Not real 24p.

[Barry_Green]

The BBC has been using VX2000's for quite a while, so I don't see why people would think it would be so incredulous that they would be interested in XL2's... they even invented their own "audio fix" when Sony wouldn't!

[Aaron Koolen]

So is Canons technology in the Xl2, from Panasonic like is was with the old cams? Well that there explains why Canon won't really, ever be able to release anything that will leap ahead of Panasonic in the image department then don't it.

[Barry_Green]

Jan from Panasonic said that no, it isn't, and there probably isn't any Panasonic tech in the new Canon. Panasonic supplied chips to the older Canon cameras but apparently this new one is devoid of Panasonic technology.

[Aaron Koolen]

Interesting, thanks Barry.

Aaron