I just checked one of my cameras with the 1.0.4.0 firmware (in NTSC-land) and the gamma setting is present and operates normally. Wonder if your firmware flash was bad?

Thank you Pete,

I've checked again and everythings seem to be fine now, the Gamma setting is back. Maybe one more reboot of the camera was necessary... Sorry for this false alert.

Very glad that all is well!

Why use electronics to degrade performance?
 

So did I. I do not like this either. Changing aperture but the number does only change every second time but the iris changes every time. What is good with this?
Certainly not if you use an external exposure meter or you like to set several camcorders to the same setting. Just time consuming.

It is like the focus with its servo stuff: Turn the ring and see what happends. Nothing? Then turn more! Look again. Now it shows too much. Turn back. Check again ... Very time consuming in my opinion.

Why spend money for electronics when the good old mechanical solution was better? Why not make an optimum design? I don't get it. There are actually a pretty long row of software in this camera which could be improved and made available for everybody to benefit from.

Canon, please see how Sound Devices and others do and learn from them. And please listen to your customers! / Johan

I just bought an XL H1 used. I am the third owner and I do not have any info on the first owner or where it was originally purchased. I logged onto canon's site to see if I could register as an H1 owner, but it is only available for cameras purchased new.

My firmware says 1.0.0.0. Can I still call and get the latest upgrade, or do I have to be able to register my camera? From the sound of the posts on this thread, those of you who called were in Canon's database. That will not be true for me. If I have to haggle to get them to send me the SD card, rather than mailing in my camera, I want to know whether I have a leg to stand on.

Is it legal and ethical for me to ask one of you to lend me your card or is that a no-no due to copyright issues?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Vence Vida

Perhaps the easiest, but most expensive, way to solve the problem would be to order the 6X lens. The latest firmware is shipped with it. I know how ridiculous this may sound but you may very well want this lens anyway. It is a great piece of glass and something I would think you should consider anyway.

It would be nice, but there is no way I can afford the extra $2,500 right now. I really just want to update the firmware.

No worries
 

I went ahead and called Canon today, and they took all my information and sent me the card, no problem. I'm VERY MUCH looking forward to those extra stops.

-Vence

Okay, I have gone around and around with Canon for over three months.
Everytime I called, they said they would send the card, but never did. Finally today, they said they have a new policy and won't send any more cards. They want me to send my cameras in. This has gotten very frustrating! All of my cameras have firmware 1.0.0.0

I have three XL-H1s and I can not afford to be without them for any length of time and sure as heck can't afford to express ship them all back and forth. I have three jobs in November that require me to genlock and link my cameras with timecode, and without the firmware update, my understanding is, it does not work well. Plus, I could REALLY use those smaller iris steps. Too often, one click is just too much change.

Does anyone have a firmware upgrade on SD card that you would be willing to send to me. I'll pay to have it sent back and forth and I will return it. Please!

Thanks,

Vence

Email sent.

Mike

One last question:
I have gotten my hands on an SD firmware update card from another H1 owner, but he no longer has the instructions on how to install the update. Can anyone tell me how to use the card?

Thanks,

Vence

Help!
 

Hey guys and gals, how about helping Vence out here? Got the instructions for installing the update?

Mike

Dear Vence,

I did not have these instructions with me when you originally posted your request, so sorry for the delay.

To update the XL H1's Firmware:

1. Connect the power adapter to the XL H1.

2. Turn the power dial to VCR/Play.

3. Set the Tape/Card switch to Card.

4. Insert the SD Card that has the firmware update.
It should say XLH1, Version 1.0.3.#.

5. Press the Menu Button, select System, Select Firmware.

6. An update message will be displayed, select OK.

7. The following message will be displayed:

Updating Firmware
Do not turn the power off.

8. During the update, the CARD access indicator will blink, the update should take about four minutes.

9. When the update process is complete, the unit will power off and power on automatically, and the new firmware version, 1.0.3.#, will be displayed for a few seconds.

10. Remove the SD Card.

11. Power off the camera and remove the power adapter.

12. Re-attach the power adapter and power on the unit in CARD Play mode.

13. Press the MENU button, select SYSTEM, the Firmware 1.0.3.# should be displayed.

Firmware 1.0.3.0 = Firmware updated to correct time code problem.

Firmware 1.0.3.1. Both 60i/50i switches are turned on and the time code error is fixed.

Thanks so much Dan. Don't know what I did with mine. :(

Got em now though! :)

Mike

Dan - Thank you very much for the instructions.

And thank you also for the assistance, Mike. Very much appreciated.

I'm on the road right now, checking this from a hotel, but I will run the update when I'm back later this week.

Dear Vence,

I sent you a private email.

Flip and flop
 

Does anyone know if there is any new "flip" possibilities in the later firmware updates (my camera is at service, so I can't check)?

No.

Harry.

"no" - okay, still not any possible at all to flip image..?

Not possible.

H.

Not good.

J.

New firmware update?
 

Hey, I just got my H1 back from the shop, and on the repair notes it says "updated firmware to 1.0.6.0"

Anyone know any info on this yet? Still won't have my eyepiece and lens for another week, so haven't done any testing.

Does anyone have any info on firmware 1.0.6 that Russell mentioned? Maybe it adds support to write HDV files directly to the SD card! Ok.....seriously....what does it add/fix? Probably fixes obscure under the hood glitches....but it would be nice to know. Maybe it supports a new HD qulaity viewfinder! I can dream right?

Maybe it adds a hard drive recorder and a 35mm sensor. Maybe not. It would be nice to know what it does do.

I got to play with the Red last weekend. It's gonna be great when they get all the bugs kilt.

Hello all.

Does someone still have this firmware update on a SD card? If so, could you send its content (the files or, better, card's full image) to irusskih@gmail.com?

Thanks in advance!

Is it an alarming sign that Canon not develop any major firmvare updates to H1? Is the H2 around the corner?

No, it isn't alarming.

It is!

Of course not ;-), but it could be some development; it haven't been any major improvment in firmware. I would like to se flip possibility, alt framerates, development at the gain levels (+12 - +18 is useless IMHO).

And about the H2; someone in a neighbour forum had heard "release of the H2 in the coming months" from a sales rep. Maybe we will see something at NAB.

We're not too much on spreading rumors here; a little lighthearted stuff goes on in Area 51 but not the camera forums. I would think engineering timelines and marketing forces would be the main drivers for a new camera model. The next one will be out when Canon is ready to announce and market it.

That said, of course Canon has new cameras in development. All the companies are always working toward the next product. I doubt that how many times or how much they patch the firmware for a current camera has much bearing on future cameras.

I'm doubtful you'll see those big enhancements like flip (but would be nice for those who need it and ya never know). Canon hasn't done a lot of dramatic upgrades to the firmware of the XL cameras.

Tis said in this frum somewhere else that someone has received a firmware update - recently. It is alo newer than the version I have.

I have written to Canon service director (UK) and asked why Canon keep it so difficult to get hold of these updates. Clearly they are developed for a reason and clearly they are user installable and more than clearly they are highly portable (i.e downloadable).

Don't hold your breath. The three emails I received from support regarding the sending to me downloading of the file resulted in "Your equipment has to go to a centre" stock reply.

A major corporation stacked with enough intelligence to design and build these cameras, yet....

Done a fair bit of searching for the 1.06 new firmware and can find no info on it. Canon has set up this cam for firmware updates in a very smart way... just wish they would make the final step - availability - just as sweet.

Maybe there is a reason for not releasing it yet?

Since none of us know the specifics of what it does accomplish, it's more of a curiosity at this point.

Hope Chris can glean some info on this firmware for us.

I know it's not fair...
 

...or maybe even comparable; but this my question - why can't Canon improve and develop firmware in faster pace, when for example RED has done 15, soon 16 firmware updates in less of a year?

I love my XL H1, and my new XH A1, but, have Canon still the spirit...

Jonas, I think that is an apples to oranges comparison. RED is a new and novel camera system that even as it is released in small numbers is under active development by an upstart camera company (albeit quite well funded!) and the XL is well established and at present is sold in much larger numbers to a much wider customer base.

I don't see much incentive for Canon to put a lot of effort into wringing new features out of firmware that is working well to do what it is supposed to do. But you never know; reps from ALL the manufacturers DO read DVinfo even if they don't post.

More confusing is the fact they don't seeem to need too much incentive to do the firmware updates as it would appear there is one floating around.

The tragedy here is not necessarily the regularity of the updates but the attitude toward their customers. Canon should be posting the availability of the update in as many places they can - not tucking it away - only to be applied to cameras being turned in for other more important service or repairs.

Frankly, this so called smaller upstart, with their under active development is getting greater and better acclaim not only due to the quality of their goods but their strikingly different attitude to their customers, it's an attitude I suspect Canon used to have when they were young, struggling and developing - back in the days when "if anyone could, Canon could" which mean't they probably would.

As has been said, the development of a new firmware update means Canon have identified aspects of the cameras behaviour that need or can be improved, but there's an air of "you can only have it if you give us work to install it for which we can legitimately charge you and which costs you to get it".

Maybe I will llook at the upstart company and it's product if they are going to mlook after me and value me as a customer.

Now then, RED, were are......

Words like "alarming" and "tragedy" conjure up excessive emotion that is out of place in a discussion such is this, as are the negative nonsubstantive comments, some of which have been removed from recent posts.

Again, apples to oranges: RED is a really interesting new 4K system in a "ready to shoot" price point of $25,000+ and the XL-H1 is a 1080 camera that can be had for around $8,000 ready to shoot. The workflow is quite different, and the companies are quite different. The shooter should buy the one that matches his or her needs; if the frequency and ease of firmware updates is important to you, well, weigh that in.

If you want specific features that the XL H1 doesn't support, look elsewhere. Here's the RED forum. A couple of folks spouting unkind hyperbole in a public forum about a company is neither very productive nor allowed here on DVifno. That some customers want more and easier access to XL H1 firmware has been amply stated already. Stay on topic and stay factual. Thanks.

Apologies for my overzealous emotions, suppose I must get used to what I can't have and move on as I only bought in the 8,000 bracket.

Pete, I think Dave's main point was a valid one - not that there aren't more firmware updates, but that when there is one, it is almost like they don't care if we even know about it. I have felt the same frustration.

I couldn't care less whether they release many updates. If the camera never changes again, I would be satisfied with what I have purchased. It does exactly what it's supposed to do and it does it well. But if they do release updates, I would like to be able to enjoy the benefits of it, as a loyal consumer.

I have 4 XL-H1s, so I am heavily invested in this technology, and obviously I believe in the product. I do find it strange that it is all but impossible to find out about a firmware improvement, and then more inconvenient than need be to receive it. You can look higher on this thread to see my attempt almost a year ago to get the update that fixed timecode issues and almost doubled the f-stop increments.

It was like pulling teeth to find someone at Canon who, number one - knew there was an update, and number two - knew how I could get it.

Once I did get the update, it was so nice to just sit down for about 15 minutes and quickly and conveniently update all my cameras (At the time, I had three). Then, when I bought a fourth from another forum member, I was able to immediately update that one, since I still had the card in my possession. That is how it ought to work. This was a crucial update, in my opinion, and it should have been MUCH easier to learn about it and much easier to get it.

Not if you're reading DV Info Net on a regular basis it isn't.

Here's the reason for that. The main Canon help line (1-800-OK-CANON) may be an outsourced facility for all I know, but their expertise lies primarily in the still camera and printer product lines. The XL H1 is a highly specialized item relative to everything else they make, and with regard to firmware updates there may be three or four Canon people in the U.S. that have any real, in-depth knowledge about the details of the upgrade... perhaps even fewer abroad. So yes it's a somewhat mysterious process and I'm only scratching the surface of it here, but one of the reasons why I started this site was to facilitate these exact types of issues between market and manufacturer.

RED and their fifteen builds is an apples to oranges comparison. For RED, it's all they do. Theirs is a product continuously undergoing changes so of course there will be build after build. That's entirely different in a wide variety of ways from how the XL H1 is developed. Not saying one way is better than the other, just saying that's how it is... for now at least.

Hi Guys
I could not agree more. Thank you for bringing this facility to bring market and manufacturer together which for you in the USA appears to be working.
In the UK, this manufacturer needs to pay more attention to its market. We don't have to my knowledge a registered owners club where we can get firmware updates free like you do in the USA.

The USA Canon store is full of accessories - easily accessible for the XL-H1. The Canon UK store mixes XL-H1 accessories with everything else Canon do so they are not easy to identify in fact it even links direct to eBay so you can buy third party non Canon accessories that don't carry Canon warranties. Try the Canon UK store for an XL-H1 cleaning kit right now by choosing accessories, selecting cleaning equipment and their cart brings up a scart to three phonos! LOL....That's how much care and attention XL-H1 owners get in the UK. Think its funny or unlikely? Check it out here: https://store.canon-europe.com/DRHM/...oryID=11012600. This is not a great example of manufacturer coming together with market.

Yes I do love the camera but would I go buy another three like Vence has done - right now - probably not. This manufacturer has a lot to do to come together with its market here in the UK and it is having a detrimental effect on their sales - who knows they don't know if I was sold on buying three or four XL-H2's?

Chris - any chance of your sources providing specifics on what the latest firmware accomplishes?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.