I haven't heard anyone mention this yet:

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=165&modelid=12155

The text is horribly oblique, but it seems that this is a DV-Rack type program that lets you not only monitor and meter your incoming signals, but also record them (??? doesn't say that outright, but alludes to it) and best yet - control all the key settings of the camera directly from the computer.

Works with XL-2 also.

Chris - were they showing this in NY also? Seems nice. Finally putting that SDK to work it seems...

This is a wonderfull feature ! really.

Hi Barry, the version shown at the Expo was still very much in beta. Here are some screenshots:

http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=381&c=28
http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=382&c=28
http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=383&c=28
http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=384&c=28

Chris,

Great, thanks. That will be so much nicer than navigating the menus to adjust all that stuff. I'm surprised they aren't pushing that harder.
So did you see the software record? If so, what formats?

It will record MPEG 2TS for Adobe Premiere Pro and Canopus Edius Pro, and MPEG 2ES for Pinnacle Liquid Edition. Also standard definition AVI Types 1 and 2. The question that's kind of left in the air is MXF support... in my opinion they really need to do it... but no firm answer on that yet.