Hello,

Greetings to everybody, it's my very first post on this very informative forum!

I'm writing from France, and I would like to know if the SD DV recording mode of the XL H1 (so it would be the PAL version but any information regarding the NTSC will be welcome) offers the exact same picture quality as the XL 2? It could be a little superior but it just could be inferior as well. I once read a review of the Sony HDR-FX1, and it was said that in SD DV recording mode, picture was softer than VX 2100. So it was made clear that if you wanted to shoot HDV and the best SD DV with a Sony cam, you need both cameras. Is it the same problem with XL H1? Or can we say that the XL H1 contains a XL 2? (despise the fact that it has 24F instead of 24P, of course IF 24F gives the same results as 24P, and I don't know if it's proved.)

Thanks a lot for the information!

Hi Thomas,

That's a good question. Theoretically it should be better than the XL2 for SD, but since the XL H1 is not yet available and no tests have been made, nobody knows for certain.

Thanks Chris,

In fact, I saw today a very interesting comparison between respective pictures of Sony PD-150 (Pro version of VX-2000), HVR-Z1 DV Mode (pro version of HDR-FX1), and HDV mode down converted to SD DV with HVR-Z1. This test seem to prove that...HVR-Z1 is definitely the best: SD DV mode or HDV downconverted to SD DV. The article is french, and it clearly says: "bye, bye PD-150/170!"
Here is the link: http://www.repaire.net/site/tournage/hdv_sony/z1/z1test3/prise_en_main_Z1_3-1.php

As much for the first test I was previously talking about :)

And yes you're right, the XL-H1 is better in SD than the XL2. I saw that in another test. I can't find the link.
Since the Z1 is that way, I think we can assume the same for the XL-H1.
My biggest regrets are the absence of 24P though...