I want to record some footage from my stereo vcr on my XL1S, and I only seem to get the left channel. The material is mono but comes out of both speakers on the tv so it is on both tracks there. How can I get both signals?

A stereo VCR has left (usually white) and right (usually red) audio output rca jacks. Connect them to the corresponding audio 1 input jacks on the XL1s, and set the XL1s for audio 1 input at line level. This should be covered in the manual.

Note that you probably cannot record from a copy protected tape.

I tried that, which is why I'm posting this. Just tried again, if I plug both in I get just L working. If I plug the R into the left jack, it works, so there is signal there, it is on Audio 1 Line 12 bit stereo as per manual. Also tried Audio 1,2 thinking that would do it but no. Both L and R send signal to L but nothing to R. Picture is fine. These are the RCA jacks below the headphone jack.

From what you said I assume you went to menu,vcr setup and set audio 1 to line.So you must have set the input on audio 1(switch behind the side door)
Do you have manual selected for audio1 (switch behind the side door)?
Is the balance set mid?
If that's all good try plugging into audio 2 on the side and setting it as line in the menu and make sure the controls behind the side door are both up.

I want to record some footage from my stereo vcr on my XL1S, and I only seem to get the left channel. The material is mono but comes out of both speakers on the tv so it is on both tracks there. How can I get both signals?

Nine times out of ten when feeding a mono signal to a stereo input that somehow doesn't get received as a left and right signal the problem is with the cable. For whatever reason, there is a break in signal continuity on one or more channels. There is a potential failure point anytime two signal carrying cables meet. Always eliminate these failure points first before taking a close look at the sending and receiving equipment. If you can eliminate the cables and their connectors as problems, you can focus troubleshooting with much greater confidence.

Anything display on the meters?

Are you judging this by what you hear in the head phones, or what is on the meters and the tape?