Turning the Canon XH-A1 and Sony MRC1K into a reliable tapeless kit at DVinfo.net

Les Wilson · September 11th, 2010, 08:37 PM

The phenomenon of the Sony MRC1K seemingly randomly mistaking the A1 for a computer is well documented and experienced differently on different A1 units. Short of buying a Z5 which was designed to mate with the MRC1K, I found a way to reliably overcome the problem between the MRC1K and the XH-A1. YMMV.

p.s. for those who don't want to mount the MRC1K on the hotshoe, I found that using a piece of 1/4" aluminum, I could fashion a sled that lets me mount the MRC1K behind the battery door and with some angle aluminum and ingenuity, create a tab for wireless receiver ala the MA-100 of XL1 ilk.

Allan Black · September 12th, 2010, 07:53 PM

Thanks for this Les.

What cards do you use, do you also run a tape as back up? And this would work with the A1S?

Cheers.

Les Wilson · September 12th, 2010, 08:45 PM

I used 16GB 133x Elite Pro cards. I don't know if this technique is specific to the A1. Frankly, I don't even know if the problem plagues the A1s model.

At times I ran tape and at others CF only but the later was rare. I seem to remember that there's a way to configure the MRC1K so that it will keep running while you change tapes.

Roger Van Duyn · September 13th, 2010, 10:31 AM

Thanks for posting this. I'm considering an MRC1K to go with my XH-A1 whenever the finances allow. It would make much more sense for me financially than the newer Canon models.

Of course, the accounting advice I've been receiving of late is to take more salary instead of plowing everything back into the business. Otherwise, the IRS might think I'm trying to finance a hobby.

Don Xaliman · September 13th, 2010, 01:24 PM

What would you be gaining by using an MRC1K to an XH-A1?
Fast file transfer and longer recording times is all that I understand.
However a new Canon model will give you those two features plus better image quality.

Is there any device that will allow you to record the component output of the XH-A1?
With that scenario you could also gain an increase in image quality.

David Rice · September 13th, 2010, 06:02 PM

That "new Canon model" with a decent 18x-20x lens will cost you $7,000 !!!

Les Wilson · September 13th, 2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Xaliman

What would you be gaining by using an MRC1K to an XH-A1?
Fast file transfer and longer recording times is all that I understand.

Those features are not insignificant and are gained by a much lower expense than a new camera. The Sony device also gains you cache recording and the ability to record to both tape and solid state. If memory serves, the Sony also keeps recording across tape changes and I think it has a feature that lets you record to tape then trigger CF recording (not sure about the last one).

Bo Sundvall · September 14th, 2010, 01:26 AM

And no more tape dropouts. Wish I had a solid state recorder...

/Bo

Mark Fry · September 22nd, 2010, 10:44 AM

For some reason (probably my ancient PC/Browser/Internet connection), I'm unable to view the Vimeo clip. Les, would you be kind enough a write brief summary of your technique, please? Many thanks.

Les Wilson · September 23rd, 2010, 11:44 AM

If they aren't already connected, tether the units with the Firewire cable
Power off both units and disconnect the Firewire from the MRC1K
Eject the CF card and reinsert (This is the key step)
Power up the MRC1K
Insert the Firewire cable into the MRC1K
Power on the A1

You may find that the disconnect and reconnect of the Firewire cable is unneeded. My experience was that the failure would not occur after that until I stopped using the rig for 30 minutes with the two units connected but unpowered.

September 11th, 2010, 08:37 PM	#1
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Turning the Canon XH-A1 and Sony MRC1K into a reliable tapeless kit The phenomenon of the Sony MRC1K seemingly randomly mistaking the A1 for a computer is well documented and experienced differently on different A1 units. Short of buying a Z5 which was designed to mate with the MRC1K, I found a way to reliably overcome the problem between the MRC1K and the XH-A1. YMMV. Technique for using the Canon XH-A1 with the Sony CF recorder on Vimeo p.s. for those who don't want to mount the MRC1K on the hotshoe, I found that using a piece of 1/4" aluminum, I could fashion a sled that lets me mount the MRC1K behind the battery door and with some angle aluminum and ingenuity, create a tab for wireless receiver ala the MA-100 of XL1 ilk.

September 12th, 2010, 07:53 PM	#2
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,928	Thanks for this Les. What cards do you use, do you also run a tape as back up? And this would work with the A1S? Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

September 13th, 2010, 10:31 AM	#4
Roger Van Duyn Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 692	Thanks for posting this. I'm considering an MRC1K to go with my XH-A1 whenever the finances allow. It would make much more sense for me financially than the newer Canon models. Of course, the accounting advice I've been receiving of late is to take more salary instead of plowing everything back into the business. Otherwise, the IRS might think I'm trying to finance a hobby. __________________ Roger My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAp...2AHr_pHFID5LDA

September 22nd, 2010, 10:44 AM	#9
Mark Fry Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 425	For some reason (probably my ancient PC/Browser/Internet connection), I'm unable to view the Vimeo clip. Les, would you be kind enough a write brief summary of your technique, please? Many thanks. __________________ Steam Age Pictures - videos in aid of railway preservation societies.

September 12th, 2010, 08:45 PM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	I used 16GB 133x Elite Pro cards. I don't know if this technique is specific to the A1. Frankly, I don't even know if the problem plagues the A1s model. At times I ran tape and at others CF only but the later was rare. I seem to remember that there's a way to configure the MRC1K so that it will keep running while you change tapes.

September 13th, 2010, 01:24 PM	#5
Don Xaliman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 96	What would you be gaining by using an MRC1K to an XH-A1? Fast file transfer and longer recording times is all that I understand. However a new Canon model will give you those two features plus better image quality. Is there any device that will allow you to record the component output of the XH-A1? With that scenario you could also gain an increase in image quality.

September 13th, 2010, 06:02 PM	#6
David Rice Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sitka Alaska Posts: 470	That "new Canon model" with a decent 18x-20x lens will cost you $7,000 !!!

September 14th, 2010, 01:26 AM	#8
Bo Sundvall Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 244	And no more tape dropouts. Wish I had a solid state recorder... /Bo

September 23rd, 2010, 11:44 AM	#10
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	If they aren't already connected, tether the units with the Firewire cable Power off both units and disconnect the Firewire from the MRC1K Eject the CF card and reinsert (This is the key step) Power up the MRC1K Insert the Firewire cable into the MRC1K Power on the A1 You may find that the disconnect and reconnect of the Firewire cable is unneeded. My experience was that the failure would not occur after that until I stopped using the rig for 30 minutes with the two units connected but unpowered.