My play button on the top handle doesn`t 'push' like the rest of the buttons. It still functions but doesn`t move up and down. I want to send it in for repair (I believe there a standard one year warranty) but am unsure how to go about it. What is the safest way to mail it? Will they cover shipping? How long does it usually take to get service and the camera back in hands?

I've not sent my A1 for service but did have a dead power supply on my HV10 which required service. I assume the process is the same for both cams.

My experience was quite good. After going to the Canon site to fill out a service request, I packed the cam up in it's original box and sent it, insured, to their service facility in New Jersey at my cost.

The Canon service Web site will update status on the repair, however with no update for my unit after a week (which was how long they said mine would take) I called them to inquire. The rep was helpful and found out that they were waiting on parts and said it should take another couple of days. Three days later I received an email saying that it was shipped.

Total turnaround time was two weeks and the HV10 was fully repaired. I would expect your service experience to be similar.

Hope that helps.

The first time I sent my cam I paid for the shipping, the second time they paid for it, but I'm pretty sure if you ask a service rep they will pay for it.

I'm also curious if people who sent their camera to service in the original box receive the camera back in the same box, or at least an identical retail box?

2 years ago, I sent in an Optura 50 in the retail box and it was returned in same box.

I'm also curious if people who sent their camera to service in the original box receive the camera back in the same box, or at least an identical retail box?

No, they are going to tell you that you should not send any item of the camera and that is including the original box. Since they already told me I sent mine with the with a another regular box but with the lens cap to protect the camera lens. And guest what? I received the camera back without the cap.
If you talk with the camera repair center they are going to warning you.
They sent me a new replacement because I specify in the repair service form that the cap was included with the camera.

The box that they used it was similar size to the original A1