I need some clear answers.. please help if you can!

We are shooting a live production TOMORROW!
It will be cut for broadcast TV & DVD (edited in post.. not live).

I have never used the XL-H1's and I need a preset and some recommendations!

We are using 4 XL-H1's (timecode locked) and 3 XH-A1's (free run timecode). I need settings for both.

First of all I need the best settings for our situation, its a live concert with a lighting show etc.. I want the blacks black, and everything else colorful.

So which presets (if any)?
Obviously I will put the Gain on -3db or 0 db; but what else after that? I need a noise free and colorful image.

What Frame-Rate should I use?
I am a big fan of 24p, however the other people on the production want to use 60i. Is 30f a good medium?

Lastly can you appropriately recommend a manual setting over an Auto setting like Av? One camera will be on a Jib.. so there's no adjustments once its up other than the Lanc remote (zooming/focus). Also how is the auto focus on these cameras?

Thanks for the help.. Desperately needed!

For the XL H1, first read this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=66776

I highly recommend AC Pref1 (PRESET01.CPF).

The 9th post tells you specifically how to use the preset.

I prefer Cine1 over Cine2 so I use the very nice PRESET01 with the Gamma changed to Cine1.

I recommend that you use a shutter speed of 1/60th, or 1/120th if you are going to do any slow motion (and you have enough light). Use Manual Mode.

I recommend that you shoot in 1080i. Save the 24F for later, after you have some more XL H1 experience.

Calibrate your Viewfinder as the XL H1 out of the box has too bright of an image in the viewfinder. This is most important. Search this site for a thread on how to do this.

Autofocus works very well if you have enough light and an image with some contrast.

Send me a private email and I will give you my phone number. I will be happy to assist. Please let me know, via a post that you have sent me a private email.

Thank you that helps alot.. I will try it in the morning.

I have shot with the cameras tonight without a preset turned on, filming in 60i and -3db; in manual mode between 1/60 and 1/90th a second.

I downloaded the footage and it looks really great; so I am happy with it as it is.. but I will definitely try out the preset you recommended in the morning and see if that looks even better.

Thank you again for you help!

If it were me, I would just chart the cameras to match and save the setting in each seperate camera as a preset.

Good Luck with your Gig!