I bought this camera being told that I could do a rec frame effect as a menu option. I don't see this option anywhere, the only similarity is to shoot a series of photos to the card but what I want is to be able to record a few frames at time -programmed or manual- in the tape. For me rec frame is a very simple option found even in the oldest DV camcorders. Anyone knows where is this option in the CANON if there is any? Am I missing something?

There is not.

There are better ways to shoot time lapse: use digital still camera, import stills to editor which automatically turns them to video. Or use Canon Console or DvRack to shoot tapeless to laptop.

HDV uses compression which needs at least 12 frames for one compression block. That alone makes shooting few frames and putting them on tape impossible. Also using a moving medium like tape with start/stop/alignement problems is a bad idea for that type of shooting.

With frame compressed DV it is simpler, but as there are vastly better ways to do what you are attempting why even try it with XH-A1?

Thanks Petri,
I herd of that program monkey jam that selects still frames over a footage.
I'll try and tell.

alioshka