anyone know if the audio is embedded on the HD SDI signal on the original H1 or subsequent models of this camera?
thx

No it is not on the XL H1 but yes it is on its replacement, the XL H1S.

Also the XH G1 and XH G1S have it as well as the new XF 305. Hope this helps,

I found this out when recently upgrading my XLH1 via the purchase of a nanoFlash and a Swit SDI monitor. The SDI signal contains neither audio, time code, or viewfinder information meaning individual cables for each "stream". Five cables in/out of the nanoFlash plus a Lanc cable between XLH1 and tripod remote control and a cable connecting a shotgun mike to the XLR inputs on the XLH1.

A bit of a mess but worth it I think (hope!).

Ron

ps saved a bit of hassle by ensuring I could power cam, monitor and nanoFlash from Canon BP batteries