A1 and dvrack?

[t-unit]

Anybody tried the A1 and dvrack hd? the price of a firestore60gb is almost the same as a laptop so im wondering what would be the best choice?

[Martin Landsburg]

Yeah I would like to hear from other's experience as well. With all the extra monitoring options, it would almost make it worth the extra worries of carrying a laptop everywhere. Of course, since a firestore is a good run and gun option, I can see how each of these products approaches a different market segment.
But if you were doing studio work, or had many extra batteries for a laptop, dvrack would be great...

[Elton]

Get Canon Console software and a fast PC laptop and you have it all.

[t-unit]

Do you get this program free when you buy the A1 or do you have to buy it for 599?

[Elton]

Sorry, it's $599, but there's nothing even close in competing programs that works so well with an A1.

[xray]

True, but with DVrack HD you are free to go with any firewire cam. You can find a small Console software article on studiodaily.com.

[dcorwin]

I've asked them in both their forum and via email. They say they haven't played with one yet. I then asked if anyone's used any of the new line and still haven't heard back. I guess I'll find out this week since I just ordered two. Will let you know.

[BARYE]

I've been looking and trying to decide as well.

I like the idea of a laptop as a rough and ready firestore / field monitor.

Since I already own DV Rack SD, and its only another $200 to upgrade -- its more complicated for me.

I'm torn about the Canon Console software -- which though its overpriced, does more than DV Rack for the XHA1.

The Canon stuff simplifies camera look tweaking, as well as providing remote focus and zoom control (with 2-3 sec. lag)

I'll decide soon, but I wish someone else would first use and report back on that Console package.

BTW -- online the Canon software is sold for under $500

[dcorwin]

I should mention I've owned HDVrack for quite some time and used it with my FX1 which I just sold. It's a great piece of software, just a little disappointed that they seem to be missing the bus on the 24f shooting mode (for now at least)

[Barry_Green]

Missing what bus? I used DV Rack 2.0HD with the XHA1 and it worked perfectly in 24F mode...

[BARYE]

has anyone else seen this freeware software which does SOME of what Console does ?

http://www.slashcam.de/artikel/Aktionen/XHTuner---slashCAM--freeware-tool-for-finetuning-the-Canon-XH-A1-and-XH-G1.html

Adam Wilt says this about Console: (http://www.dv.com/reviews/reviews_item.php?articleId=196602584)

Canon's Console 1.1 is a $600 Windows program that combines monitoring and control with disk-based recording, using IEEE 1394 to communicate with XL2, XL H1, and XH series camcorders. A live video window with settable zebra indications shows the entire image and can be scaled up to the size of your screen. A separate pixel-for-pixel focus assist window can show any part of the picture, but isn't resizable. A waveform monitor and vectorscope can measure the entire image or focus on a single line.

Console lets you record the camera's FireWire data stream directly to disk (as an MPEG-2 transport stream for HDV data). Recording can be triggered by the camera or independently from the Console interface. A simple browser lets you organize and play back clips.

Put the camera into external control mode, and Console can act as a full-fledged camera control unit (CCU). You can start and stop the transport; set shutter speed, aperture, gain, and white balance; and zoom and focus the camera. Even better, you can adjust any custom preset setting, and do it a lot faster and more easily than using the rocker wheel on the camera itself.

If your shooting style allows tethered operation, a laptop loaded with Console gives you a fully capable CCU, an engineering monitoring station, and disk-based recording capability. Whether you aim to be a video shader or a digital cinema imaging technician, Console lets you geek out with style and aplomb. A 14-day free trial is available at usa.canon.com/consumer/ (http://usa.canon.com/consumer/).

[smithy]

I tried the demo of the console after I got the A1. I've used the original DVrack with my DVX and it is great. After trying out the demos on both. I decided to do the upgrade with the DVrackHD 2.0 for these reasons.

1.Has compatibility with both my dvx and A1.
2.Has a flip option when using 35mm adaptors.
3.Has time-lapse option as well as onion skins and split screen.
4.Already familiar with the concept and don't need another item to learn.
5.Price for upgrade is nominal compared to the Canon console.
6.Proven software with most of the hotfixes done already.
6.Serious magic gives you codec convertor for Pany HVX200 for free.

[chaspdx]

I want to see the canon console made for mac maybe someone should make it for them.