Price difference between H1 and H1a

[Adrian J. Hare]

I'm a little confused with the the difference in the H1 and the H1a.

Why is it that if the H1A is a newer model with a step up in the lens package but yet cheaper to buy then the H1. From what I see the only difference is the lens between the two.

Am I missing something here ? or is it not a better choice in the cameras packages ?

Thanks

[Chris Hurd]

Hello Wayne, I had answered this same question from you once before at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....&postcount=223 but apparently my explanation wasn't very clear -- so I'll have to apologize for the confusion and try to explain it one more time.

Originally Posted by Wayne Bowman

From what I see the only difference is the lens between the two.

Incorrect. There are other, very substantial differences between the older H1 and the newer H1A. Most importantly, the H1 includes SDI, GenLock and TimeCode connectors. The H1A does not. This is the primary reason why the older H1 is still more expensive than the newer H1A.

The H1 is no longer made. Its direct replacement is the H1S. Like the older H1, the new H1S includes SDI, GenLock and TimeCode connectors. It sells for the same price as the older H1.

For those who don't need the SDI, GenLock and TimeCode jacks, the H1A doesn't have them but otherwise it is the same camera (just $3000 less expensive because it doesn't have SDI, GenLock and TimeCode). You can learn more about the differences between the H1S and H1A, and how they compare to the older H1, by reading my page at http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxlh1/watchdog.php. Hope this helps,

[Adrian J. Hare]

Thanks once again Chris for your time. I guess my confusion now is the SDI, GenLock and TimeCode jacks as I don't know if I'll really need these. For a camera just to Film in HD for Outside filming and using the footage for DVD use would I need any of these ?

[John Richard]

It depends on what you are doing with your footage shot.

A couple of big issues are:

The HD-SDI jack of the H1 and H1S - this allows you to do so much. One important quality improvement over HDV is the ability to record/capture in higher quality formats on upper-end decks, straight to hard drives through Blackmagic or AJA capture cards direct to a high end computer, or new devices coming out like Convergent Designs XDR or Nano Compact Flash recording systems. If your Hi Def needs are met by HDV quality level (pretty darn good), then you may not need the HD-SDI output jack.

Timecode and Genlock - Make life a whole lot easier if you are doing either multi-camera shoots or recording audio using a "double system" (recording audio to a separate system rather than tape in the camera). Being able to lock all the cameras and or separate double audio recording to the same time code helps big-time in the editing as everything can be pretty accurately synched on the timeline. Genlock helps with live or studio shoots being controlled by a mixer who is picking camera shots. Again, if that isn't you need, then saving the money may be your choice.

But keeping your options open with the HD-SDI output jack is a decision you will have to make. Do a search on this forum for XDR and Nano to see what I am talking about. Also there are others here who have used the bulky capture card to a tethered computer to get the bump in quality for feature film or product to meet specs that some broadcasters demand (personally HDV is suitable in a lots of situations - but it isn't my network ;>} )

[Bill Pryor]

You would use genlock and timecode outputs only if you're doing multiple camera shoots. In your case it would be a waste of money.

[Adrian J. Hare]

Thanks again Guys.