Canon XL H1

jlames

jlames

Well-known member
Has anyone, especially Gibby, seen or tested the new Canon XL H1. I just finished reading Gibby's response to "Is the HVX broadcast quality" and really appreciated the information. So I'm interested in his or anyone who's knowlegable in HD's opinion on the Canon HD. I've been using XL1s and 2s and like them but have heard nothing on the XL H1.
Thanks
Jonathan
 
And I've heard it has Sony innards as well which accounts fo the 1080i. That's why I'\m hoping someone on the Board has seen this thing.
 
The pics look cool, but heard there won't be any capture method until summer or something like that. And also heard no progressive scan.
 
jlames said:
Has anyone, especially Gibby, seen or tested the new Canon XL H1. I just finished reading Gibby's response to "Is the HVX broadcast quality" and really appreciated the information. So I'm interested in his or anyone who's knowlegable in HD's opinion on the Canon HD. I've been using XL1s and 2s and like them but have heard nothing on the XL H1.
Thanks
Jonathan
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Hey Jonathan,

Since you've used the XL1s and XL2, let me give you some feedback on them. For several of the national television programs I've used the XL1s and XL2. Genres of the shows and segments were action sports, music, and reality. The XL1s in frame movie mode did pretty well for the action sports and music, especially since we were also frame-grabbing JPEG stills for a companion web site. There were obvious challenges - hard to focus with the lens, etc. As an example of a different use of the XL1s, I was DP for the shooting of the pilot for a Las Vegas casino reality series that aired nationally. The pilot was shot with several XL1s, but the actual series was shot in DVCProHD, using Varicams. I just used an XL2 three weeks ago for a nationally airing action sports program. I'm under NDA on the details of the show, but the sports action coverage was shot with several XL2's, 60i for sports action (20x lenses with doublers got us out to the action), and 24p for creative b-roll. Our crew also used two DVX100A’s with wide converters and wireless mic systems. All interviews and competitor b-roll were shot on the DVX100a's in 24p. This program will air nationally via satellite and cable later this month.

Now to the XL H1. I haven't seen or handled the H1. In reading the tech specs, I think it will be a capable camera for HD production, if you work around the drawbacks of the HDV codec. If you're recording HDV to tape, the HDV 1080i obvouisly wouldn't be a good choice for any genre of program with rapid motion. I think the most capable use of the H1 will be via the onboard HDSDI converter. I think tons of small-market TV stations will buy the H1 to use as a hardlined camera via HDSDI, thus taking the quality output from the camera head and avoiding the problems with the HDV codec. Some larger cable networks may do the same thing. The newly announced Wafian recorder, which is selling (with 30% advertised discount) at around $10,500 would add some serious utility to the H1's HDSDI output. Using HDSDI, and bypassing HDV, the H1 should have a significant presence in HDTV production of certain genres. H1 HDV footage will also make it onto HDTV broadcasts, just as Z1 footage has. The H1, with full cine-style accessories, prime lenses, and recording via HDSDI to a Wafian recorder should produce some excellent footage.

If you're asking if the H1 is a "better" camera than the HVX200, my feelings are no, it's different than the HVX. With all of its resolutions, frame rates, and formats, the HVX will be the universal "Swiss Army Knife" of the HD world. DVCProHD is obviously a superior codec to HDV. I'm buying an HVX and if it performs as advertised, I'll probably end up with several of them. For the specific uses I mentioned above, and the versatility of removable lenses, I wouldn't mind also having an H1 in my quiver of cameras.

Hope this helps!

Gibby
www.cut4.tv
 
Not that this has anything to do with the cameras performance or specs but if you have no idea what it looks like its basically a black XL-2 with the HDV logo on it.

Does anyone know what kind of a lens it uses? Hopefully something comparable with the (Fujinon?) lens on the HD-100. It'd make for a good B camera if you have the almost 9,000 to spend on it.
 
The glass seems far superior to the HD100 Fujinon glass. The lens controls are not though -- the lens controls are like the XL2's lens; mushy servo control. The HD100 glass is awful, but the lens control is the real deal. The XL H1's glass is superb, but the lens control is awful. I think a lot, if not most, of the premium price of the XL H1 is because of the better glass it uses. If it had just offered true manual control, it would be a very, very, very tempting camera.
 
One would hope that they will offer a fully manual lens for the XL H1, just like for the XL2 and XL1. It'll probably bump the price even higher, though...
 
Thanks for all the replies and the in-depth by Gibby especially. While I was gone, I had a chance to see and shoot a JVC HD 100. I'm just coming to the HD party which is why all the questions but with all of the cameras I was able to see, the JVC by far was getting the best comments. Have any of you tried the JVC HD100 and if so, what are your thoughts?
 
jlames said:
Thanks for all the replies and the in-depth by Gibby especially. While I was gone, I had a chance to see and shoot a JVC HD 100. I'm just coming to the HD party which is why all the questions but with all of the cameras I was able to see, the JVC by far was getting the best comments. Have any of you tried the JVC HD100 and if so, what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I'm sure Barry will have some excellent insight into the HD100. If you can find a hard copy of the October issues of Film & Video magazine and Studio Monthly magazine, there is a "Hands-On HDV" supplemental insert in each of those issues. On Page 3 of that supplement, you'll find an article I wrote entitled "Know when to use the Sony Z1U and/or the JVC GY-HD100U". It has some useful info on the HD100 and a comparison to the Z1.

Good luck in your search!

Gibby
www.cut4.tv
 
Gibby said:
If you're asking if the H1 is a "better" camera than the HVX200, my feelings are no, it's different than the HVX. With all of its resolutions, frame rates, and formats, the HVX will be the universal "Swiss Army Knife" of the HD world. DVCProHD is obviously a superior codec to HDV.
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So, guys, where is the problem?! I'm here since... and always the same dispute: HDV vs DVCPRO HD... (Wait and see! Are you masochs, my old chaps?!)

I'm buying an HVX and if it performs as advertised, I'll probably end up with several of them.
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If confirmed, where's Wally?!...
 
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