XH-A1(s) Model Experience

[drdimento]

Hey we have several of the XH-A1's and are getting ready to buy two or three more to start up a third location and wondering if anyone could post some of their experiences with the S model so we can decide on used XH-A1's or the newer XH-A1s model.

We reread the printout of that good review by Barry Green and have noticed that almost every negative that was pointed out by him regarding the XH-A1 has been resolved and/or modified to satisfy what he said would make a great camera.

With that we would like to consider going with the new ones (XH-A1s) and wondered if some would be so kind as to point out if the extra purchase price is worth the money. Again, we will buy two or three.

 

[SilverWolf]

I would personally suggest going with the new ones. Two of my main issue with the first one was A. The fact that you can't focus and zoom at the same time and B. The fact that you can't record off the onboard mic and via xlr at the same time. These are both resolved in the S model and is major to me.

Now of course if the negatives of the original don't bother you that much then I don't see any issue with grabbing the original camera

 

[Allan Black]

Yep, I'd opt for the S model because of the above, and the fact it has independent audio limiters in manual mode.

That's a giant plus meaning you don't have to keep checking your levels for the odd peak overload.

Cheers.

 

[drdimento]

...Two of my main issue with the first one was A. The fact that you can't focus and zoom at the same time and B. The fact that you can't record off the onboard mic and via xlr at the same time....

yes, those were issues with me from day one, features that i really missed when we sold off the dvx100's and the hvx200's and opted for the XH-A1's but interestingly we've found many work arounds that have enabled us to learn how to live with it. however, with it fixed so that it would now be like our dvx/hvx formers, i would definitely like it.

on the zoom since our dvx/hvx doing the same was definitely possible but difficult and thus we sort of got in the habit of avoiding doing the zoom/focus at the same time however, with this fixed i could see myself getting quite accustomed to it.

Yep, I'd opt for the S model because of the above, and the fact it has independent audio limiters in manual mode. ....

yup. i could see this as a plus in itself, not work the big money difference now mind you but coupled with all the other things i see it as a plus. however, we have not used the limiters because on all of ours using it will cause the top clips to just drop off period. that is, if the audio is seriously over for a short spot when the audio limiter is "on" the audio will actually cut off or be interrupted. not sure if we are not setting something right or not but just like the AGC we put gaffers tape over it also to make both of them defaulted to off. the ONLY video i have ruined with the xh-a1 to date has been because of the AGC switch when it was accidentally switched on and the video looked absolutely horrible. why on earth would anyone want to use that thing? only reason i could see is, can't get ANY video otherwise.

i just used the night shot on the rotating nob and can't wait to see what it looks like. kinda strobed looking during the record and was just doing it to test it out. probably a joke button but wanted to try it.

thanks all for the posts, these help. perhaps we'll go with two of the A1s cameras and two A1's so that at least one camera has extra bene's to utilize. or, we'll go with just the A1s cameras and hold back and delay the next purchases to evaluate just how important the plus features are to us.

 

[Allan Black]

if the audio is seriously over for a short spot when the audio limiter is "on" the audio will actually cut off or be interrupted. not sure if we are not setting something right or not

Mmmm doesn't sound right. Well you couldn't use it anyway, maybe the cam is saying Whoha baby drop the level!

Cheers.

 

[drdimento]

Mmmm doesn't sound right. Well you couldn't use it anyway, maybe the cam is saying Whoha baby drop the level! Cheers.

Yeah it's kind of an issue. So, we just leave it in no peaking on the audio and pay closer attention to it. The same was true for the Z7 and auto level control AND we got clicks here and there. Im just not a fan of auto anything really. On the D300 and D90 Nikon's I don't mind it.