Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 at DVinfo.net

Roger Lee · January 26th, 2011, 03:36 PM

I'm wondering what the latest recommendations are for tapeless recording to the XH A1 or XH A1s?

I bought one of the first XH A1 units a few years back. I like using this camera and I like the video quality it gives me.

Also, I don't mind the tape back up as I don't shoot more than 4 to 5 tapes a month on average.

However, lately I've noticed the tape eject mechanism to be slow and I'm guessing I'm going to have to have some work done on it(the tape eject system) in the near future. The eject system seems to be a weak system at best and I'm guessing repairing the eject system to be quite costly.

So, I'm looking at tapeless systems again for my XH A1...using firewire would be my guess.

Suggestions?

Tx for the time taken.

FWIW,

I'm not a pro but I make a bit of $$$ from this....unfortunately, not enough to change systems or I'd probably go Panasonic AG-AF100 or Canon XF 300.

Again...suggestions for tapeless for my XH A1?

Tx

Colin McDonald · January 26th, 2011, 04:42 PM

Hardly the latest technology, but I use a Firestore FS-4HDPRO 60Gb HDD with my XH-A1 on occasion. It works fine but I would go for a card based recorder if I were getting one now.

Garrett Low · January 26th, 2011, 04:58 PM

For the XH A1 you'd have to use the firewire since it doesn't have SDI or HDMI.

When I had an XH A1 and XL H1a i used the Sony MRC-1K. Records to compact flash cards and runs off of a Sony battery. Worked great. Use the Sony software for stitching files back together for long recordings. I lost track of the largest cards you can use in them now but if you could use one of the 64GB cards you'd get a long record time.
You can find them used every now and then. B&H has a new one for $749.

sony hvr-mrc1

-Garrett

Michael Ojjeh · January 26th, 2011, 08:20 PM

Check out this 'data video dn-60' , good price too.
DATAVIDEO DN-60

Mike Ponek · January 26th, 2011, 09:54 PM

I use the DATAVIDEO DN-60 with my canon and it works great. Several 3 hr continuous shots and uploads onto computer with no issues.

Michael Ojjeh · January 26th, 2011, 10:07 PM

Mike, what kind of flash card did you use ? 32G or 64G to get over 3 hr.

Mike Ponek · January 26th, 2011, 10:36 PM

I use the 64gb Transcend - Compact Flash 400x 64GB Memory Card with no problems. I also have the 32g card as backup but have not used it yet. Also use lithium AA batteries because of multi hours usage. Std alkaline batteries only last up to two hours in the DN-60.

Wayne Greensill · March 15th, 2011, 08:33 AM

Hi there,
I am thinking on purchasing the focus fs-5 or fs-cf recorder.

Any advice on the best one to go for? To be used with Canon XHA1 & XHA1s.

Thanks
Wayne

Richard Amirault · May 12th, 2011, 06:22 AM

I just ordered the Maxell iVDR VC102 for my XH A1s.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/747063-REG/Maxell_iVDR_VC102_Video_Capture.html

Wayne Greensill · May 12th, 2011, 09:22 AM

Hi Richard,

Once you get the recorder could you post your thoughts to me as I would be very interested in your views.

Regards
Wayne

Mike Hammond · May 12th, 2011, 12:18 PM

Wayne,

I see you posted about the FS-CF v. FS-5 a while back, but your most recent post makes it seem like you may not have purchased anything yet.

If that's the case, here's my 2 cents. If I'm not mistaken you'll need to go with the FS-CF which is made specifically for Canon cameras. It will capture all the formats the XH can put out. I've been using one for about a year and have no complaints.

Wayne Greensill · May 12th, 2011, 12:28 PM

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply back. No I haven't purchased one yet still unsure which one to go with. The price tag is putting me off the Canon one which you rightly say the FS-CF is solely for the Canon.

Everyone is going on about the Datavideo DN-60 but I'm worried about the reliability of it as I shoot mainly weddings and a little worried it doesn't capture that shot you wanted.

Helpppp!!!! :o)

Stany Hermans · May 13th, 2011, 11:55 AM

Hi Wayne,
It seems you missed my post in the Datavideo DN-60 section ;-)
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/datavide...ml#post1642398
Stany

Wayne Greensill · May 13th, 2011, 12:05 PM

Hi Stany,

Thanks for letting me know about your reply and yes I did miss it, sorry ;O(

I think you have made me make up my mind it has to be the Canon FS-CF. I did have my doubts regarding the reliability of the DN-60.

Thank you so much for your feedback it very much appreciated.

Stany Hermans · May 18th, 2011, 11:52 AM

Hi Wayne,

You won't regret buying the FS CF Pro. I've done some more testing and it really works excellent! No problems at all! Highly recommended (especially after my experiences with the DN-60...).
In the mean time I tested it with the original Firestore mount which is quite good but if you are using tape and you want to rewind the tape with the controls on the cam.handle then you will need to remove 2 small screws first.... For me this is no problem as I will record to CF most of the time.
With the camera mount it is a bit more difficult to carry the camera but it's still manageable. Maybe other people around here have better mounting solutions?
I also suggest you to compare the FS CF and FS CF Pro, the Pro has some nice extras.
Stany

January 26th, 2011, 03:36 PM	#1
Roger Lee Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Western Minnesota Posts: 227	Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 I'm wondering what the latest recommendations are for tapeless recording to the XH A1 or XH A1s? I bought one of the first XH A1 units a few years back. I like using this camera and I like the video quality it gives me. Also, I don't mind the tape back up as I don't shoot more than 4 to 5 tapes a month on average. However, lately I've noticed the tape eject mechanism to be slow and I'm guessing I'm going to have to have some work done on it(the tape eject system) in the near future. The eject system seems to be a weak system at best and I'm guessing repairing the eject system to be quite costly. So, I'm looking at tapeless systems again for my XH A1...using firewire would be my guess. Suggestions? Tx for the time taken. FWIW, I'm not a pro but I make a bit of $$$ from this....unfortunately, not enough to change systems or I'd probably go Panasonic AG-AF100 or Canon XF 300. Again...suggestions for tapeless for my XH A1? Tx

January 26th, 2011, 04:58 PM	#3
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	For the XH A1 you'd have to use the firewire since it doesn't have SDI or HDMI. When I had an XH A1 and XL H1a i used the Sony MRC-1K. Records to compact flash cards and runs off of a Sony battery. Worked great. Use the Sony software for stitching files back together for long recordings. I lost track of the largest cards you can use in them now but if you could use one of the 64GB cards you'd get a long record time. You can find them used every now and then. B&H has a new one for $749. sony hvr-mrc1 -Garrett __________________ Garrett Low www.GLowMediaProductions.com

January 26th, 2011, 08:20 PM	#4
Michael Ojjeh Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 338	Check out this 'data video dn-60' , good price too. DATAVIDEO DN-60 __________________ Dragonfly Production http://www.dragonflyproduction.net/ http://www.vimeo.com/user432181

January 26th, 2011, 10:07 PM	#6
Michael Ojjeh Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 338	Mike, what kind of flash card did you use ? 32G or 64G to get over 3 hr. __________________ Dragonfly Production http://www.dragonflyproduction.net/ http://www.vimeo.com/user432181

March 15th, 2011, 08:33 AM	#8
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Hi there, I am thinking on purchasing the focus fs-5 or fs-cf recorder. Any advice on the best one to go for? To be used with Canon XHA1 & XHA1s. Thanks Wayne

January 26th, 2011, 04:42 PM	#2
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Hardly the latest technology, but I use a Firestore FS-4HDPRO 60Gb HDD with my XH-A1 on occasion. It works fine but I would go for a card based recorder if I were getting one now.

January 26th, 2011, 09:54 PM	#5
Mike Ponek New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 6	I use the DATAVIDEO DN-60 with my canon and it works great. Several 3 hr continuous shots and uploads onto computer with no issues.

January 26th, 2011, 10:36 PM	#7
Mike Ponek New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 6	I use the 64gb Transcend - Compact Flash 400x 64GB Memory Card with no problems. I also have the 32g card as backup but have not used it yet. Also use lithium AA batteries because of multi hours usage. Std alkaline batteries only last up to two hours in the DN-60.

May 12th, 2011, 06:22 AM	#9
Richard Amirault New Boot Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 13	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 I just ordered the Maxell iVDR VC102 for my XH A1s. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/747063-REG/Maxell_iVDR_VC102_Video_Capture.html

May 12th, 2011, 09:22 AM	#10
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Hi Richard, Once you get the recorder could you post your thoughts to me as I would be very interested in your views. Regards Wayne

May 12th, 2011, 12:18 PM	#11
Mike Hammond Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Orange, NJ, U.S. Posts: 163	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Wayne, I see you posted about the FS-CF v. FS-5 a while back, but your most recent post makes it seem like you may not have purchased anything yet. If that's the case, here's my 2 cents. If I'm not mistaken you'll need to go with the FS-CF which is made specifically for Canon cameras. It will capture all the formats the XH can put out. I've been using one for about a year and have no complaints. __________________ Mike Hammond http://www.yourcinematicwedding.com \| http://www.storyboardgroup.com

May 12th, 2011, 12:28 PM	#12
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Hi Mike, Thanks for the reply back. No I haven't purchased one yet still unsure which one to go with. The price tag is putting me off the Canon one which you rightly say the FS-CF is solely for the Canon. Everyone is going on about the Datavideo DN-60 but I'm worried about the reliability of it as I shoot mainly weddings and a little worried it doesn't capture that shot you wanted. Helpppp!!!! :o)

May 13th, 2011, 11:55 AM	#13
Stany Hermans New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 14	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Hi Wayne, It seems you missed my post in the Datavideo DN-60 section ;-) http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/datavide...ml#post1642398 Stany

May 13th, 2011, 12:05 PM	#14
Wayne Greensill Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: England Posts: 132	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Hi Stany, Thanks for letting me know about your reply and yes I did miss it, sorry ;O( I think you have made me make up my mind it has to be the Canon FS-CF. I did have my doubts regarding the reliability of the DN-60. Thank you so much for your feedback it very much appreciated.

May 18th, 2011, 11:52 AM	#15
Stany Hermans New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 14	Re: Latest on tapeless video recording for XH A1 Hi Wayne, You won't regret buying the FS CF Pro. I've done some more testing and it really works excellent! No problems at all! Highly recommended (especially after my experiences with the DN-60...). In the mean time I tested it with the original Firestore mount which is quite good but if you are using tape and you want to rewind the tape with the controls on the cam.handle then you will need to remove 2 small screws first.... For me this is no problem as I will record to CF most of the time. With the camera mount it is a bit more difficult to carry the camera but it's still manageable. Maybe other people around here have better mounting solutions? I also suggest you to compare the FS CF and FS CF Pro, the Pro has some nice extras. Stany