XH Upgrade Wishlist Poll v1

Martin Kornfeld · March 29th, 2007, 05:25 AM

I'd love to see a display option for record on/off indicator only. I'm surprised I'm the first to mention this. I find it very hard to compose a shot, particularly when a subject is in top right area, with screen obstructed by all the indicators.
When turning all indicators off I'm then left with no record confidence in viewfinder/lcd. Why not just leave record confidence indicator on?

Massimiliano Minoia · March 30th, 2007, 10:21 AM

In my personal shotout btw Sony HVR-V1 and Canon XH-A1 I noticed that the knee settings of the A1 are very weak, almost unnoticeable. With the Sony in low knee I can really manage a full stop of higlight more than Canon, so, I wish in a most effective low knee setting (a ultra-low level added to the standard 3 levels for compatibility with older presets), I think it would be a great improvement in highly contrast images handling; sorry for my bad english...

Alex Leith · March 30th, 2007, 11:18 AM

So how are we doing with this. Is it time to present it to Canon?

Chris Hurd · April 1st, 2007, 08:35 AM

I'd like to present it with some kind of an even number. We're currently at 186 people who have participated in the poll, so perhaps we'll cut it off at 200 (but 250 would be even better).

Alex Leith · April 1st, 2007, 09:26 AM

Sounds like a plan! Thanks Chris.

Michael Mann · April 4th, 2007, 12:26 AM

Sounds good. Chris, how do you plan to present the results? In person?

Nicholas Tran · April 7th, 2007, 03:17 AM

The one thing that I really liked about the HVX200 is that it has true variable frame rates that allow you to have true slow motion without the ugliness of that post-production slow motion strobe.

I REALLY, REALLY wished the XH-A1 had that. To me, the camera would be just about perfect as it could be with that.

Deke Ryland · April 9th, 2007, 12:47 PM

How will we be notified that there is a firmware update for our XH cameras? Does canon send out an email to XH customers? Also, does anyone know how easy it is to update the firmware? Risky?

Chris Leong · April 9th, 2007, 11:05 PM

I'm with Deke on this -

What's involved in a firmware upgrade? Download to a PC/Mac and then into the camera via firewire?

Or is it the old send-it-back-to-the-factory-and-wait-for-it?

If that's the case, then the one and only first vote should be - "allow for user downloadable firmware upgrades"...

Chris Hurd · April 10th, 2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Leong

What's involved in a firmware upgrade?

Read this thread: XL H1 Firmware Upgrade Details

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Mann

Chris, how do you plan to present the results? In person?

I presented the original XL2 Wishlist in person, so I can certainly do the same with this wishlist as well. I'll have an opportunity to do so at NAB, so perhaps that's when the cut-off should be. But as I said at the beginning of this thread: don't get your hopes up too much, as there has never been any implication that Canon will issue a firmware upgrade for the XH series at all.

Erik Norgaard · April 15th, 2007, 01:16 PM

I haven't voted yet, unfortunately my wish list requires hardware changes - anyone got any idea of why the white balance buttons and switches counts no less than FIVE to set and they are spread around at random?

So, my number one wish is that the white balance button be replaced by a dial with six settings:

Auto, outdoor, indoor, Kelvin, A, B

Then ok, two more may be required to configure the last three settings. But that would eliminate/liberate two buttons.

My second wish is that the output switch be eliminated. Let "bars" be available for custom buttons.

My third wish that gain be a dial, maybe with one more setting: off/0dB, so it should be: Auto, Off, low, medium, high. That eliminates/liberates one button.

My fourth wish is that the preset selector buttons be replaced with a dial that lets you scroll through the stored settings - so you can go both back and forth. I haven't used presets much but as I understand it if you pass the setting you want, you have to go all the way around.

So, when will the XH-A2 get out?

My final wish is that all push buttons are custom buttons! Yeah! Photo button to be push AF (most important on my list), the four buttons on the barrel to be custom whatever, and that custom buttons are not restricted: Anything that has two settings on/off, should be assignable to a custom button: In the menu where a setting is selected one should have the choices: On/off/assign to button.

Cheers, Erik

Pete Bauer · April 17th, 2007, 12:28 PM

I hope I'm not stealing Chris' thunder here, but I know he is super busy here at NAB and anyway I took this pic with my camera so he doesn't have it yet. Without further ado, attached is a photo of Chris giving a hardcopy of your Wishlist to Canon reps including the actual firmware engineering managers. Yes, they do listen to you!

Alex Leith · April 17th, 2007, 12:50 PM

Yay! Go Chris! And thanks Pete for the pic!

Bill Pryor · April 17th, 2007, 12:55 PM

Awriight, way to go!!!

April 27th, 2007, 11:34 AM

I need the standard def output to be switchable like the Z1. Right now the live output is only squeeze.

Help!

View Poll Results: Which four (4) features should be added to the XH series camcorders?
OIS On / Off mappable to Custom Key	118	51.75%
XLR On / Off mappable to Custom Key	61	26.75%
Default Shutter speed in 25F of 1/50th	24	10.53%
Additional Shutter speeds (1/33rd and/or 1/40th)	21	9.21%
Option to display Shutter values in degrees	3	1.32%
Preset maximum Gain value for AGC	48	21.05%
Add intermediate steps in Gain (+9db, +15db)	46	20.18%
F. Asst. Mag. on displays / analog out during Rec.	26	11.40%
Allow Peaking and Zebra together	95	41.67%
Customize Peaking color and intensity	35	15.35%
Flip image in viewfinders (and maybe to tape, outputs)	63	27.63%
Move AE Shift function from menu to iris ring	26	11.40%
Histogram On / Off for Video (record and playback)	49	21.49%
Display active C. Preset name (record and playback)	55	24.12%
Display lens info (focus and zoom) on playback	18	7.89%
Display remaining battery time in real minutes	72	31.58%
Function setting for Long Push of "End Play" button	2	0.88%
Soft clipping / limiter in Manual Audio mode	63	27.63%
Allow digital zoom in Standard Definition recording	5	2.19%
Option: AF off during zoom (prevent focus pulsing)	59	25.88%
Photo buttons as optional Custom Keys	16	7.02%
Slower speeds for Focus Position preset transitions	44	19.30%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 228. You may not vote on this poll

March 29th, 2007, 05:25 AM	#76
Martin Kornfeld Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 49	Display Record Indicator Only I'd love to see a display option for record on/off indicator only. I'm surprised I'm the first to mention this. I find it very hard to compose a shot, particularly when a subject is in top right area, with screen obstructed by all the indicators. When turning all indicators off I'm then left with no record confidence in viewfinder/lcd. Why not just leave record confidence indicator on?

March 30th, 2007, 10:21 AM	#77
Massimiliano Minoia Tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Italy Posts: 4	Lower knee setting In my personal shotout btw Sony HVR-V1 and Canon XH-A1 I noticed that the knee settings of the A1 are very weak, almost unnoticeable. With the Sony in low knee I can really manage a full stop of higlight more than Canon, so, I wish in a most effective low knee setting (a ultra-low level added to the standard 3 levels for compatibility with older presets), I think it would be a great improvement in highly contrast images handling; sorry for my bad english...

March 30th, 2007, 11:18 AM	#78
Alex Leith Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northampton, England Posts: 500	So how are we doing with this. Is it time to present it to Canon? __________________ Alex

April 1st, 2007, 08:35 AM	#79
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	I'd like to present it with some kind of an even number. We're currently at 186 people who have participated in the poll, so perhaps we'll cut it off at 200 (but 250 would be even better). __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 1st, 2007, 09:26 AM	#80
Alex Leith Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northampton, England Posts: 500	Sounds like a plan! Thanks Chris. __________________ Alex

April 4th, 2007, 12:26 AM	#81
Michael Mann Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kelkheim, Germany Posts: 375	Sounds good. Chris, how do you plan to present the results? In person? __________________ Michael

April 7th, 2007, 03:17 AM	#82
Nicholas Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 67	Variable frame rates The one thing that I really liked about the HVX200 is that it has true variable frame rates that allow you to have true slow motion without the ugliness of that post-production slow motion strobe. I REALLY, REALLY wished the XH-A1 had that. To me, the camera would be just about perfect as it could be with that.

April 9th, 2007, 12:47 PM	#83
Deke Ryland Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 213	How will we be notified that there is a firmware update for our XH cameras? Does canon send out an email to XH customers? Also, does anyone know how easy it is to update the firmware? Risky?

April 9th, 2007, 11:05 PM	#84
Chris Leong Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles CA USA Posts: 507	Firmware upgrade I'm with Deke on this - What's involved in a firmware upgrade? Download to a PC/Mac and then into the camera via firewire? Or is it the old send-it-back-to-the-factory-and-wait-for-it? If that's the case, then the one and only first vote should be - "allow for user downloadable firmware upgrades"...

April 15th, 2007, 01:16 PM	#86
Erik Norgaard Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 238	I haven't voted yet, unfortunately my wish list requires hardware changes - anyone got any idea of why the white balance buttons and switches counts no less than FIVE to set and they are spread around at random? So, my number one wish is that the white balance button be replaced by a dial with six settings: Auto, outdoor, indoor, Kelvin, A, B Then ok, two more may be required to configure the last three settings. But that would eliminate/liberate two buttons. My second wish is that the output switch be eliminated. Let "bars" be available for custom buttons. My third wish that gain be a dial, maybe with one more setting: off/0dB, so it should be: Auto, Off, low, medium, high. That eliminates/liberates one button. My fourth wish is that the preset selector buttons be replaced with a dial that lets you scroll through the stored settings - so you can go both back and forth. I haven't used presets much but as I understand it if you pass the setting you want, you have to go all the way around. So, when will the XH-A2 get out? My final wish is that all push buttons are custom buttons! Yeah! Photo button to be push AF (most important on my list), the four buttons on the barrel to be custom whatever, and that custom buttons are not restricted: Anything that has two settings on/off, should be assignable to a custom button: In the menu where a setting is selected one should have the choices: On/off/assign to button. Cheers, Erik

April 17th, 2007, 12:28 PM	#87
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	I hope I'm not stealing Chris' thunder here, but I know he is super busy here at NAB and anyway I took this pic with my camera so he doesn't have it yet. Without further ado, attached is a photo of Chris giving a hardcopy of your Wishlist to Canon reps including the actual firmware engineering managers. Yes, they do listen to you! __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

April 17th, 2007, 12:50 PM	#88
Alex Leith Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northampton, England Posts: 500	Yay! Go Chris! And thanks Pete for the pic! __________________ Alex

April 17th, 2007, 12:55 PM	#89
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Awriight, way to go!!!

April 27th, 2007, 11:34 AM	#90
John Turner Posts: n/a	Switchable aspect on downconverted output I need the standard def output to be switchable like the Z1. Right now the live output is only squeeze. Help!