Got One in the living room right now at DVinfo.net

Jason Strongfield · November 2nd, 2006, 09:12 AM

Please see this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=78730

Bill Pryor · November 2nd, 2006, 09:26 AM

Awriight! Congrats!

Javier Perez · November 2nd, 2006, 09:34 AM

Does this camara record actual 1080i HD on miniDV tapes..? sorry for the noob question but I am just trying to learn the diffrences between the camaras before I go out and buy mines...thanks

Bill Pryor · November 2nd, 2006, 09:39 AM

Yes. All HDV cameras do it with miniDV tapes.

Jason Strongfield · November 2nd, 2006, 10:25 AM

Ok folks,

My initial rough unbiased review for you guys.

1) Unit is small and compact.

2) It is overall very sturdy and solid.

3) Would not attract attention and thieves like the H1 or XL2.

4) I think the weight factor is just right, that it doesnt require a big expensive tripod, and those big stabilizer rig (will test it with the merlin later today).

5) I dont know why they put some of the buttons on top of the camera underneath the LCD (white balpreset, MIc Att and end search. Maybe it is a personal bias but i am one of those rare bird that actually like to use the view finder.

6) I think this is a given, If you want Pro looking cam, get the XL2 or H1

7) I seriously do not like the cavity battery design. For me, it is another hinge to be broken due to heavy use (Battery and A/C Adapter). The two springs nested deep inside the cavity are very very fragile. Be extra gentle and careful when uploading and unloading the battery.

8) Cant use any after market Mattebox with Instant AF censor in front of the cam.

9) I miss the rubber eye piece on my ex-canon XL2 and ex-Panasonic 100b

10) Horray for the exposure ring on the lens, long gone is the horrible plastic XL2 exposure selector ball !

11) The electric servo sound from the camera's lens is still audible both on the built in mic and the stock external mic holder. I tested it with my AT 4053a hyper cardioid mic. So, for you Run and Gun folks, solution is here (look at bottom of page). http://www.mklemme.com/pole/dvcam.html

12) The menu and customization on this cam is staggering ! There are TONS of customization possible :) ( I Like ! ). So, if you are like me and this is your first HD camera, prepare to spend some manual book time !!

Pictures and more review (sound, photo, video) will be up soon !

Mark Fry · November 2nd, 2006, 10:42 AM

Hi Jason,
Please tell us what the zoom is like. Smooth? Can you set a fixed speed? How? Are there a number of preset speeds or continuously variable? What's the slowest speed?

Cheers!

Jason Strongfield · November 2nd, 2006, 10:54 AM

Mark, see my response here

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...d=1#post567075

Mark Fry · November 2nd, 2006, 11:25 AM

Thanks Jason - sounds good. Presumably those times are from full-wide to full-close-up and vice versa. I use a Canon ZR-1000 LANC remote with my XM1, which allows for 5 preset speeds or variable, and it will be interesting to see how well that works with the XH.

Also found this in the small print of the spec. sheet:

Quote:

Zoom Speed 16 Preset Zoom Speeds,
plus Fixed Speed and Variable Speed

Steven Davis · November 2nd, 2006, 12:14 PM

I think you should pass it around so we all get to test it. :}

Jerry Gordon · November 2nd, 2006, 03:46 PM

jason,
thanks, did it come with some sort of lens cover or cap?
Jerry

Chris Hurd · November 2nd, 2006, 11:04 PM

Camcorders always come with lens caps. The XH uses the same cap as the XL stock lens.

Jerry Gordon · November 2nd, 2006, 11:17 PM

thanks Chris..did not see it in the what's in the box or anywhere...kinda figured it would but wanted to make sure..thanks
jerry

November 2nd, 2006, 09:12 AM	#1
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	Got One in the living room right now Please see this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=78730 Last edited by Jason Strongfield; November 2nd, 2006 at 11:02 AM.

November 2nd, 2006, 10:25 AM	#5
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	My initial review of the Canon XH A1 Ok folks, My initial rough unbiased review for you guys. 1) Unit is small and compact. 2) It is overall very sturdy and solid. 3) Would not attract attention and thieves like the H1 or XL2. 4) I think the weight factor is just right, that it doesnt require a big expensive tripod, and those big stabilizer rig (will test it with the merlin later today). 5) I dont know why they put some of the buttons on top of the camera underneath the LCD (white balpreset, MIc Att and end search. Maybe it is a personal bias but i am one of those rare bird that actually like to use the view finder. 6) I think this is a given, If you want Pro looking cam, get the XL2 or H1 7) I seriously do not like the cavity battery design. For me, it is another hinge to be broken due to heavy use (Battery and A/C Adapter). The two springs nested deep inside the cavity are very very fragile. Be extra gentle and careful when uploading and unloading the battery. 8) Cant use any after market Mattebox with Instant AF censor in front of the cam. 9) I miss the rubber eye piece on my ex-canon XL2 and ex-Panasonic 100b 10) Horray for the exposure ring on the lens, long gone is the horrible plastic XL2 exposure selector ball ! 11) The electric servo sound from the camera's lens is still audible both on the built in mic and the stock external mic holder. I tested it with my AT 4053a hyper cardioid mic. So, for you Run and Gun folks, solution is here (look at bottom of page). http://www.mklemme.com/pole/dvcam.html 12) The menu and customization on this cam is staggering ! There are TONS of customization possible :) ( I Like ! ). So, if you are like me and this is your first HD camera, prepare to spend some manual book time !! Pictures and more review (sound, photo, video) will be up soon !

November 2nd, 2006, 10:42 AM	#6
Mark Fry Major Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 425	How's the zoom? Hi Jason, Please tell us what the zoom is like. Smooth? Can you set a fixed speed? How? Are there a number of preset speeds or continuously variable? What's the slowest speed? Cheers! __________________ Steam Age Pictures - videos in aid of railway preservation societies.

November 2nd, 2006, 12:14 PM	#9
Steven Davis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,065	I think you should pass it around so we all get to test it. :} __________________ What happens if I push the 'Red' button?

November 2nd, 2006, 11:04 PM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Camcorders always come with lens caps. The XH uses the same cap as the XL stock lens. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 2nd, 2006, 09:26 AM	#2
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Awriight! Congrats!

November 2nd, 2006, 09:34 AM	#3
Javier Perez New Boot Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: miami florida Posts: 37	Does this camara record actual 1080i HD on miniDV tapes..? sorry for the noob question but I am just trying to learn the diffrences between the camaras before I go out and buy mines...thanks

November 2nd, 2006, 09:39 AM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Yes. All HDV cameras do it with miniDV tapes.

November 2nd, 2006, 10:54 AM	#7
Jason Strongfield Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA Posts: 195	Mark, see my response here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...d=1#post567075

November 2nd, 2006, 03:46 PM	#10
Jerry Gordon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leicester, nc Posts: 86	jason, thanks, did it come with some sort of lens cover or cap? Jerry

November 2nd, 2006, 11:17 PM	#12
Jerry Gordon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leicester, nc Posts: 86	thanks Chris..did not see it in the what's in the box or anywhere...kinda figured it would but wanted to make sure..thanks jerry