Tapeless recording

Bad idea. The A1, like many of the older cameras, has an incredibly flimsy 4 pin FW port that doesn't lock. One wrong move and you can snap the pins inside the port which is a $300 repair. In the field the wire can slip out without you realizing it and screws up the recording. For tapeless recording there's simply no reliable option available for the A1 simply because of that port. The A1s has a six pin port which is far stronger and more reliable.
 
I had the plug problem so I drilled holes in the A1 protective cap for this FW jigger, the LANC controller plug and a headphone plug.

You have to drill a series of pilot holes each one getter bigger and you sweat centering the first one.

Did the same thing for my A1s, it's a slightly easier job you can remove the 2 caps by twisting them. They're made from soft polystryrene but just as hard to centre the drills.

Result: The caps don't flap in the breeze, they hold the plugs steady in position and keep grit outa the cam. A strip of black Cling brand low tack adhesive tape covers the holes when not plugged.

If you don't know the drill don't try it, maybe find a machine shop for a few bucks. Cheers.

http://www.amazon.com/Startech-Ieee-1394-Firewire-Adapter-4pinm/dp/B00and0067SO3

NOTE: you can't take the A1 rear protective cap completely off the cam, don't try it.
 
Last edited:
Huy Vu said:
Bad idea. The A1, like many of the older cameras, has an incredibly flimsy 4 pin FW port that doesn't lock. One wrong move and you can snap the pins inside the port which is a $300 repair. In the field the wire can slip out without you realizing it and screws up the recording. For tapeless recording there's simply no reliable option available for the A1 simply because of that port. The A1s has a six pin port which is far stronger and more reliable.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I'm using an A1 also, and I've been considering making the switch from DV to a DTE device. I guess I'll have to do a bit more research on the subject.

Too bad, I was really looking forward to not having to log and capture anymore.
 
Raster said:
I had the plug problem so I drilled holes in the A1 protective cap for this FW jigger, the LANC controller plug and a headphone plug.
Click to expand...

Do note that doing any of this will void your warranty and if there's anything wrong with your camera in the future Canon service might not agree to repair the camera at all or they will charge you extra to restore the camera back to the way it was.
 
Huy Vu said:
Do note that doing any of this will void your warranty and if there's anything wrong with your camera in the future Canon service might not agree to repair the camera at all or they will charge you extra to restore the camera back to the way it was.
Click to expand...

I'm careful in that dept but it's sensible and very practical and not reverse engineering nor is it a software mod. On the A1s the user can actually remove both caps.

If you have any concerns call Canon first.

Cheers.
 
I actually wasn't talking so much about screwing up the camera. Not sure if you're aware but Canon's repair policy is that if you send the camera in, they have to return the camera back to its original factory specification. If there is anything done to the camera it will be "repaired" at your cost regardless of whether you want to or not. So if anything else goes wrong with the camera in the future, or even if you just want to send it in for maintenance, you will be charged extra.
 
Ok I take your point but if that's the case, the cost of replacing the caps would be negligible.

My point is, the advantages far outweigh the probability of that happening.

Cheers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top