I say, it is the speediest autofocus system I 've seen in the HDV cams, if you do not like the speed puls from the two-way AF system you can turn the system to manual ...


Raymond, that has never been the question.

Fact is that all discussing users have seen focus pulsing during AF zooms. That means you practicably can't zoom with AF switched on, unless you want your focus bounce back and forth. This is not what one would accept of any AF system. So I call this plainly a AF malfunction, not more, not less.

But: Nobody is forced to see this as a problem.

- removed focus pulsing during zooms
Why? Its on the forum for a long time and only 1 person really sees it as a problem (Michael) not those other hunderd users. (almost 4.000 views) The pulsing is shown to Canon and they say it is not fixable by software, it is not a problem at all.

Although this is not the place for this discussion I just want to clarify that Michael is not the only person who is seeing this problem. Several people have confirmed that their cameras display this issue (i've had two with this).

The pulsing artefact happens at 3x per second when zooming into a static target. It happens in both AF and IAF. This is not the focus rapidly adjusting. It is not behaviour you would normally expect from an AF system.

Canon did not say it was "not a problem". Canon just said that it was not likely to be fixed by a firmware update.

Just because it doesn't happen to interfere with the way you work has nothing to do with whether it is a defect or an acceptable "quirk" of the camera.

Michael has been very positive about the camera in general, and has been keen to learn how to work around this problem.

Seeing as you cannot zoom and focus at the same time, perhaps disabling AF during zooms in firmware is not an unreasonable suggestion.

Just capturing my first day's test, here's another one I'd like to emphatically add to the list.

Ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name, as opposed to just number! Impossible to remember which is which by number alone, especially with the potential for so many presets. The on-screen cp display would probably need to be moved to the lower left on the screen in order to do this.

The amount of presets on this cam are awsome, this would make them much more manageable in the field.

Ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name, as opposed to just number!


I totally agree!

Definately agreed to the custom presets being dispayed by name.

Also, I never intend to use the AWB switch and that would be great for possibly allocating an OIS Switch or XLR mic to onboard mic in place.

Although this is not the place for this discussion I just want to clarify that Michael is not the only person who is seeing this problem. Several people have confirmed that their cameras display this issue (i've had two with this).

Alex, reading the whole thread. One person sees it,you confirm some of it, later you say its solved, one other person (after intense searching and looking) thinks maybe he sees something. That's it.

No one on other boards sees it, not on dvxuser, I don't see it (other than normal AF behavior.) It's an 1 or 2 person issue, with HUGE continuing postings with almost no followers. You and Michael gave it much attention already. It's a non issue, and certainly do not belong in the update list.

Raymond, no offense, but there are at least 4 users in this forum who have noticed this focus pulsing or have confirmed it (Alex Leigh, Tom Roper, Gabor Tarnok and me). In addition Canon Service has confirmed it! Watch for yourself: http://www.filefactory.com/f/f5656740836b15ad/.

It's fine (and that's no irony!) that you don't notice this focus pulsing. But please accept that others don't make this thing up - and that some may consider it as an issue or even a problem. Please be tolerant - thank you!

Latest update of our wishlist:
(Position in list does not correspond to importance of wish. The result of our final poll will indicate the average importance of each wish.)

- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch

Anything else? We're still collecting.

These all sound great to me; I wonder, however, how realistic it is that Canon will fix them in a firmware update. It seems more likely that they will add them to the next revision of the camcorder (At least that is what Panasonic would do.)

Canon in the past has been known to do various enhancements to products via firmware, and I am hoping that they actually look at this with a desire for change.

Wouldn't they have to reprint manuals and change some of the text on the camcorders to do all of these revisions? I would like all of the requests, but some requests I don't think Canon wil change, regardless of how easy it would be to implement in the firmware.

FINGERS CROSSED!

These all sound great to me; I wonder, however, how realistic it is that Canon will fix them in a firmware update.

They might. They might not. But if we don't ask we definately don't get.

I hadn't really though about all the other elements that were needed as a concequence (like revising the manuals) - although they could add a quick sheet simply listing enhancements (like an addenda).

- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode

There is a suggestion in another thread (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=82268) that this is effectively what happens when you select auto-level, select MIC ATT (-20 db?), and dial in some gain (the example given was +12 db, effectively -8 db). How many people have tried this yet? Does it give the desired effect? If not, how would the behaviour be different?

Looking at the way auto-level works in my old XM1, it has a fixed starting level that it calls 0db, and when the audio gets too loud, it attenuates it by a varying amount. What is missing is a way to select the "starting level", other than MIC ATT, which is rather drastic at -20 db. From the description given in the other thread, it sounds to me like that's just what the XH-A1 gives you.

BTW I'm yet to make a decision about which HDV cam to get: FX7 or XH-A1? I think I've ruled out the V1E... This "best of both worlds" adjustable audio auto-level seems like a big plus point for the Canon.

-20 dB IS the only attenuation the A1 has, but I have tried the -20+12=-8 combo & seems to mimic somewhat what a soft limiter circuit would do & is my workaround for now until/IF one is added in a firmware update.

My main gripe audiowise is Canon's choose "all or none" method regarding auto gain or manual audio for both channels only, instead of being able to selectively choose ch.1 or ch.2 or both ourselves. And like I've said in a previous post somewhere here, it seems to be that way with the whole Canon product lineup.

I don't get it :-\

Bill

Mark, I tried this (AGC, -20 db, + 8dB) with my external Sennheiser. It is definetely no professional solution but it does sound quite acceptable as a workaround - with the following limitations:

(1) You are still recording audio with automatic gain control, which means that unwanted audio "pumping" due to compressing may occur anytime. A "true" soft clipping feature or a true limiter (run under manual gain control!) would leave the audio uncompressed and compress only unhearable peaks - which sound awful if not limited.
(2) The "sensitivity" (there is a better technical term ... ) of your external mic has to be adequate.

It is a pity: The A1 has professional XLR inputs, a surprisingly low-noise mic preamp (meanwhile I tested it!) plus two channel manual gain control - great! But without soft clipping/limiting feature you can't take full advantage of it, since you have to go to low in your manual gain to prevent possible clipping.

That's why I'm hoping for this update.

Well said, Michael. I tried out nearly every combination of the three audio features - attenuator, gain, and auto, using my k6/me66 & evo wireless lav, and in the end decided that right now, the most acceptible solution is to simply stay with manual and watch levels closely. Sure do hope this poll get some notice.

I know Chris mentioned that Canon does not have a product manager, similar to pana's Jan Crittenden or Avid's Marianna, due to corp. policy - maybe it's time they re-think that. When I had problems, Jan was an enormous asset, Canon should find a way to do the same.

I know Chris mentioned that Canon does not have a product manager, similar to pana's Jan Crittenden or Avid's Marianna, due to corp. policy - maybe it's time they re-think that.
That's an interesting point, Stu. Maybe there lies the answer to our question: Product management simply FORGOT to implement such an essential audio feature when designing this professional cam. I can't imagine it the other way round: Leaving it out intentionally (why?) or because of the budget (it costs almost nothing!).

Well, this is essentially at the core of all my observations about this cam - nearly all of the issues on this wish list point to that fact that the A1's design has one foot in a consumer mindset, the other in a pro set. Examples include the missing audio capabilites, xlr/internal switching, OIS accesibility, inclusion of specialty modes like fireworks, night, shutter priority, etc. None of the missing features are big selling points for consumers, and many of the included features have no value for pros. Yet the spectacular image controls are at the top of class among its counterparts.

This is a pro cam, in the same way its Pana and Sony peers are, and as is the H1, but the bulk of Canon's camcorders are consumer, unlike Sony or Pana, which have long established professional product lines. I hope as the popularity of the A1 soars, and I think it will, Canon will bring in product designers who understand a pro mindset. A product manager with a strong on-line presence would be an outstanding first step toward that... after, of course, our FIRMWARE UPDATE!

Latest update of our wishlist:

- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch
- ability to fine tune the LCD and CRT viewfinder to match colors in menu settings

I know Chris mentioned that Canon does not have a product manager, similar to pana's Jan Crittenden or Avid's Marianna, due to corp. policy - maybe it's time they re-think that. Woah, I never said that! Of course Canon has a product manager. What they don't have is a policy which allows them to post on internet message boards. Kind of understandable, too, considering how easy it is to be mis-quoted or misunderstood on an internet message board.

Woah, I never said that! Of course Canon has a product manager. What they don't have is a policy which allows them to post on internet message boards. Kind of understandable, too, considering how easy it is to be mis-quoted or misunderstood on an internet message board.

Meant online (of course there's a product manager) which goes to show, point about being misunderstood well taken. :)

Still, Canon has a huge opportunity with the A1 to take the high ground it's category, and product managers posting to forums online is pretty common within the industry. The benefits for them (and us) would far outweigh the risks.

No argument there -- here's hoping that they'll reconsider their policy.

I thought of another possible inclusion in a firmware update. It isn't necessary, but probably easy to implement.

A digital zoom in SD. I KNOW DIGITAL ZOOMS ARE BAD, but in this case you could get probably a 40x zoom with 0 degredation due to the extra rez of HD. This would be a useful feature for many people I would think in sports and nature. People would go nuts for a 40x zoom with no loss in visual quality.

I wouldn't mind seeing it as a feature, and I would use it on occasion.

Latest update of our wishlist:
(Position in list does not correspond to importance of wish. The result of our final poll will indicate the average importance of each wish.)

- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch
- ability to fine tune the LCD and CRT viewfinder to match colors in menu settings
- additional digital zoom in SD


Alright, fellow users, what do you think? Shall we stop here and signal Chris that we are ready for the poll? (As soon as Chris finds time to program, of course!) Or still wait and collect wishes for another couple of days?

Another suggestion:
Maybe one of our native English speakers, who is good in precise and comprehensible technical phrasing, works over our final list, before Chris starts to program the poll. Good phrasing is essential for a successful comminication/presentation of our final results to Canon. This would also save Chris a lot of time. Is that okay with you, Chris?

Can we add a umm... ahemm... "hardware" update to this list?

This is, in my opinion, is certainly viable & wouldn't seem to be that big of a deal at all to do.... here goes... that LAME LENS CAP!

How about something similar to Sony's Z1, etc. with the shutters on top & bottom integrated into the lens shade! Surely Sony hasn't patented that design :-\ ) We need something, anything, that's better than what we've got now! Not only is it cumbersome to even get it to lock in place (I have to try several times most of the time), but we also have to keep tabs on where we keep it.

I don't know about anyone else... but I'm about to take a hammer to mine!

I recall seeing something years ago similar to a shower cap (for lack of a better description) that was for this purpose. Anyone know what I'm talking about? If so, anyone recall the name of that product?

Bill

Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel

I've set one of the custom keys to switch between custom presets, but the names that have been given to the customs preset don't show up in the display (only CP1 etc).

Is there a way to change this? If not, it would be nice to see this implemented in a firmware upgrade.

As a more dramatic change, it would be nice to be able to access to the most important custom parameters (black press, color gain, NR) without having to use/edit custom presets. IMO quick access to editing each of these parameters would improve the recoding workflow a lot.

it's in the list... near the bottom. And I think it's a must have.

Looks like we're ready to go to me, think all the major requests have been hit and re-hit. And althought they may not participate, my guess is that they read, wouldn't be at all surprised if someone from Canon's read the whole thread.

180 degrees flip option on LCD and EVF would be great. XH will sell volumes more in the upcoming year. Even Chinese sub $100 LCD monitors support this feature how come that the major manufacturers can`t implement it?
With every day passed more and more videographers become avare of the DOF adaptors but are mostly turned down by camcorder manufacturers not supporting image flipping. JVC is the only true listener in this regard so far.
Canon XH (not to mention XL H1) could rule this market segment if only minor updates were made to firmware. What else could sell camcorders better than the work done with those...

Cheers,
T

If it's not too late, a HUGE issue for me is the inability to use both the internal and an external mic at the same time. Also, and I think this has been mentioned before but not included in the list, is the ability to switch between external and internal mics without going into the menu.

If it's not too late, a HUGE issue for me is the inability to use both the internal and an external mic at the same time.

Great one, Larry, that'd make my top five too. Internal/external switching has been covered.

... inability to use both the internal and an external mic at the same time.
Good one!

... ability to switch between external and internal mics without going into the menu.
It is on list position two, Larry.

the inability to use both the internal and an external mic at the same time.The built-in mic is stereo and therefore requires two audio channels. There are only two audio channels in the camera to begin with. That's why you can't have the built-in mic and an external mic at the ame time. That would require three or four channels and there are only two channels available.

Chris, couldn't they use just the left or right channel, or combine them into a mono signal?

I am not an audio expert but that seems like it would be fairly easy to accomplish. How does the DVX100 do it?

I just noticed something & pardon me if I missed any post regarding this.

Shouldn't when using a custom preset (either from a SD card or cam), "lock out" any accidental bump of the buttons. Meaning it's easy to accidentally change a preset without realizing it.

Unless I'm missing a setting somewhere, one would think this should be a standard design. Correct me if I'm wrong here or missing something. And if I'm not... I think this should be added to the firmware list.

I should go dink around with it some more, but edit deadlines prohibit much :-\

Bill

With the DVX you can switch the left or right channel independently between internal mic or external source (which you can switch between external line or external mic - for which you can switch phantom power on or off ;o) ... so you can choose if you want the left or right channel of the internal mic and on the other "empty" channel you can record from an external mic or external mixer etc. This is often soooo helpful...

So currently for the A1 it's just all external or all internal mic??! :-(
And can the lines be independently switched between line/mic/mic+phantom power at least?!

No and yes. You can't independently switch between line/mic but you can do phantom power per channel.

Hm ok thx! Damn - why all this little "design hickups"... could be such a perfect cam otherwise. Of course it's fine as it is, but this and the focus/zoom thing bug me a lot... :-/

This funcion is partially present on XL-H1. Enabling EVF flip affects only the LCD without any changes on camera output or recorded signal. Though it's only my speculation, it seems like the function is not built in Digic HD processor, but controlled from separate circuit. We may never see this feature in A1/G1 camcorders :(

LCD reverse in A1/G1 is triggered by position sensor and it's independent from the rest of the system. This doesn't leave much hope for customizable image flip feature either.

I guess firmware update will cast some light on that mystery that bugs users of 35mm adapters like Redrock M2. 180 degrees flip of the signal from CCD block would be the perfect solution, leaving all menus not affected while displaying and recording image correctly.

Who knows if Digic HD can do that... If it can, Canon please listen, give us one more link to Custom Keys.

Alright, I guess time has come to stop collecting wishes and get ready for the final poll. Is that okay with you, Chris?

-Support the letterbox option for video outputs during recording. It only works on playback currently.

-Add an option for advanced pulldown on the component video output when using HD 24f mode. This will allow much better pulldown removal when recording directly to the computer, such as one might do to avoid HDV compression for green screen work. Advanced pulldown is an option for SD, why not HD?

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com

You dont need advanced pulldown in HDV, because only 24 frames get recorded to tape. HDV allows the compression to be more robust and flexible in this regard, so data compression is optimized.

Holly, I'm not talking about the HDV signal recorded via firewire, which is recorded as 24 frames progressive as you say.

I'm referring to the HD video that is encoded to 60i at the component (and composite) analog outputs, which has (non-advanced only) pulldown added. It would be great to have the option of using advanced pulldown at the analog component output for perfect pulldown removal, to get back to 24 frame progressive without recording HDV (such as when recording component analog direct to computer, for greenscreen work).

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com

Jamie, all "encoding" is done in camera when shooting. Firewire out is just identical digital data... all just zeros & ones. Regarding the analog out, be it component or composite, isn't encoded either. It uses D/A conversion.

Maybe that's what you meant. I was just making some clarification.

Bill

Think it's time to get this poll up!

Bill, thanks for your input, but that's an entirely different subject which does not relate at all to what I'm describing.

For an overview of the issue, Google "advanced pulldown."

When you record in 24f mode, the Canon A1 doesn't need to do pulldown, either advanced 2-3-3-2 pulldown or normal 2-3 pulldown, when recording to HDV. This is because it is smart enough to only record the 24 progressive frames per second to tape.

The Canon A1 also doesn't need to do pulldown when sending the HDV signal to your computer over Firewire because, again, it's already a 24 frame per second stream.

HOWEVER: When you record video from any of the analog ports on the A1 while running the A1 as a live camera, IOW, NOT recording to HDV tape, there is a limitation. The signal coming from the analog ports is ALWAYS 60i.

The Canon will embed the 24f stream into the 60i stream by creating extra frames/fields. This is called "pulldown."

Advanced 2-3-3-2 pulldown is easy to process in a way that leaves only the original 24 progressive frames per second. Advanced pulldown removal is widely supported. For example Final Cut Pro can remove it easily and non-destructively.

Regular 2-3 pulldown is not so easy to process because periodic frames get split as fields into a single interlaced frame.

So, if you are shooting HDV to tape, no problem. However if you want to shoot pre-HDV compression for green screen useage, directly to your computer via the component outputs, and you want to use 24f, you now have a bigger problem getting your 24 progressive frames back out of that 60i stream. If you are compressing in the computer as you shoot, it's also problematic to compress that periodically combined frame represenation.

BTW, if you shoot SD, the A1 DOES give you the choice of advanced pulldown from the analog outputs. But oddly, it's not available if you shoot HD. (BTW, the same limitation exists with the digital outputs on the G1 and H1.)

So, for the A1, my request is to have the option of advanced pulldown from the component output.

This will be handy when shooting HD direct to the computer via the component output (NOT using HDV, NOT using Firewire).

An example of when you might want to avoid HDV compression and use the analog component out while shooting is when doing green screen compositing work. HDV compression stomps on the color resolution, making clean keys harder to create. Going direct out of the component ports will give you higher color resolution, entirely avoiding HDV compression when shooting (not when playing back HDV tapes, of course).

In a nutshell: It would be handy to be able to capture from the component output when shooting, using advanced pulldown for easy recovery of the 24f stream.

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com

I haven't forgotten about this thread... just majorly distracted, as usual. The poll can go up any time. I had to revise the part of the forum software that manages polls to allow for voting for a limited number of multiple choice options, but that's done now. However, I need some clarification on some of these options because I'm having difficulty understanding what they're asking for. So here's the list broken into two parts... the first half are the requests which I can understand. The second part are those requests on which I'm seeking some better description.

First batch -- I've added Holly's request to disable the color bars switch, and added two of my own, one of which is the option to display shutter information as a value of degrees instead of time (the Sony HVR-V1U has this display option). My other wish list item is the option to manually set the top limit of AGC (shooter decides the max AGC value, such as +12db for example).

- OIS switch via Custom Key
- Ext. vs. Int. Mic switch via Custom Key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio
- Display Peaking and Zebra at same time
- EVF Magnification while recording
- Flip image (but not display info) in LCD & EVF
- Record flipped image to tape
- Additional shutter speeds between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Custom Function for Long Push of "end play" button
- option to disable AF during zoom
- additional digital zoom in SD
- display CP Name (not number) on screen
- option to disable Color Bars switch
- display shutter value in degrees (not time)
- manually set maximum AGC value

Second batch -- please aid my confusion on some of these if you will:

- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
In the recent history of Canon 3CCD camcorders, this has always been available in standby mode, but not after a complete power down. Do other camcorders offer this?

- Exp. Lock is Push AE in Manual mode
Already available... in Tv mode, press Exp. Lock once to shoot in full manual; press Exp. Lock again for AE. In other words, all you have to do in order to shoot in full manual with Push AE from the Exp. Lock button, is to use the Tv program mode instead of the M program mode... there is no difference between the two modes (Manual vs. Tv with Exp. Lock), except the availability of Push AE.

- Exposure override via iris ring in Tv mode
Already available via the Exp. Lock button. When shooting in Tv mode, press the Exp. Lock button once and the iris ring becomes fully active. Or is the intention to have the iris ring allow for only a couple of stops of adjustment above or below AE (as found on the AE dial on the XL series)?

- CP select via shutter scroll wheel
How would you switch for this function when shooting? Because you'll need it for shutter speed control in Tv or M modes plus A or Av modes with Exp. Lock. Would you switch for it by pressing the CP on/off button? Would it make more sense to use the menu scroller for this purpose? Or perhaps the zoom speed select dial?

- Exp. Lock disables AGC
How would you switch for this function?

- Improvements of NR1, NR2
Improve in what ways, specifically?

- Intermediate steps in gain
Which intermediate steps specifically... +9db and +15db?

- Improvement of the "night" mode
Improve in what way specifically?

- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
I don't get it... what other camcorder does this, and if you're going to convert 50i to 25f, why not just shoot 25f in the first place?

- White Balance settings below 2800 K
Down to what value specifically? What's the lowest any other camera goes to?

- Photo Buttons usable as Custom Preset buttons
Do you want the photo buttons to be mapped as Custom Preset on/off buttons, or as additional Custom Key buttons? Or, for the greatest flexibility, would you want these buttons mappable as either way, as CP on/off or as additional Custom Keys, your choice?

- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch
Why not use Custom Keys for these purpose, as already suggested?

- ability to fine tune the LCD and CRT viewfinder to match colors in menu settingsBoth displays are tunable within the Displays Setup menu. Or is this request asking for a greater range and/or finer degree of adjustment?

Thanks in advance for any input,

Chris, thanks for your effort so far and for sorting out what has to be more precise. This is essential if we want to be heard by Canon. Here are my suggestions:

(1) Remember the previous selected shutter speed
I don't know if any other camcorders offer this but it sure would be a useful feature and therefore should be on our list. Maybe we modify the wish as follows:

- Option to remember the previous selected shutter speed even after a complete power down


(2) Option to disable AF during zoom
I suggest to add the following so that the reason for this wish becomes clearer:

- Option to disable AF during zoom to prevent possible focus pulsing problems when zooming in AF

I've just discovered something vaguely interesting about the shutter speed (certainly in 25F on a A1E)

In M, the camera DOES remember the shutter speed when I go to standby or powerdown or remove the battery.

In Tv the shutter speed defaults to 25... but only if I'm switching to it from full auto mode. If I switch to it from the other direction it remembers the previous setting...

I think that one might be a bug!

That's interesting, Alex, I have to try this out. Thanks.

Maybe it's just me... but I don't understand the disabling of the color bar switch. Most pro cams I've used have basically 3 switches: Gain, Output (cam & bars) & White Balance. If it's a matter of accidentally switching to colorbars while shooting, then that's just user error & it's the user who should become accustomed to where these 3 switches are located.

Holly mentioned threads ago she would like this so she "can permanently remove the tape" which never made sense to me & I didn't get a reply when asked about it.

Not that it matters... just my 2 cents :)

Bill

Compared to the Sony V1, the peaking is definitely less functional. Let me propose one more item to the wishlist: customizable colour and intensity level of peaking (ironically, when you change to black&white for easier focusing, the peaking gets even less distinctive - should be red or yellow!) So, the list now would be:

- customizable color and intensity of peaking
- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch
- ability to fine tune the LCD and CRT viewfinder to match colors in menu settings
- additional digital zoom in SD