Is Something Wrong With My XL-1? at DVinfo.net

Art Conway · April 17th, 2003, 03:43 PM

I've recently shot some footage on my NTSC XL-1 camera and I noticed some possible image errors that I think my camera might be giving me.

The footage I shot is of a friend of mine facing the camera wearing a black shirt. On closer expection, I noticed around the edge of my friend's t-shirt, where the black pixels would end, I woulse see a faint, blue-ish glow effect directly to the right of the black pixel. Then I started to notice it all over the place on the image. So, it seems everytime I have a black pixel, the pixels directly to the right of them would be blue-ish in color.

Here is an example of what I am talking about:
http://users.ev1.net/~slconway/deadlast/Image.jpg

I recorded the footage via a standard firewire cable straight from the XL-1 (interlaced mode) in Adobe Premiere on a WinXP machine.

I'm curious if this is normal for anyone else (it doesn't seem like it would be a normal thing for a digital camcorder...) or if my camera needs to be sent off for cleaning/repair.

Thanks,
Art Conway

once I got it into the computer, that anytime my images had any black pixels a faint, slightly blue auroa would appear t

Christopher Hughes · April 17th, 2003, 06:44 PM

I have seen this effect on old Hi-8 camera, where orange tint from unnatural light and then slight "glow" on edges, perhaps from natural light hitting edge of garments, etc. But cannot think I have seen this on DV cameras.

Was the shots with problems taken using auto white balance or manual??? I can see from your example that the shot contains lots of yellow/creme colour over all. Have u tried shots in a different environment / location? and it still the same? Or is it just more "amplified" in certain locations?

Dean Sensui · April 18th, 2003, 01:46 AM

Judging from what your freeze frame shows, there are some serious problems with your camera -- there are these rectangles and arrows showing up all over the place!! :-)

What you're seeing is the camera's built-in sharpening effect. All video cameras have it. Note that it's especially prevalent in areas of high contrast.

Some allow you to set it. The XL1s even lets you turn it off. I tend to turn mine off. The image looks softer but it eliminates the harsh edges which I find annoying.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

Jeff Donald · April 18th, 2003, 05:37 AM

Analog video (HI-8mm, S-VHS etc.) can show a similar effect, but is caused by a Y/C delay. I agree with Dean that it looks like the sharpening is set too high for the conditions.

Christopher Hughes · April 18th, 2003, 01:54 PM

"...camera's built-in sharpening effect...Some allow you to set it. The XL1s even lets you turn it off. I tend to turn mine off."

Waht do you mean by built in-sharpness? I know you can adjust sharpness in presets but I cannot see where u can switch off built in one. Its it that if you dont use a preset the camera runs in "auto" regarding sharpness, rather than just stay fixed in centre sharpness???

Jeff Donald · April 18th, 2003, 02:27 PM

Don't leave it in the center, reduce the sharpness until the halo, or edges disappear. Center isn't off, it's just not maximum sharpness or minimum sharpness.

Trevor Moores · April 19th, 2003, 07:20 AM

get a quote from a dealer to have it checked. Better to be safe than sorry. Then read your manual, know your camera, and always use Manual setting so you have complete control over your picture.
And on a side note, when filming in DV stay away from colors WHITE, BLACK, and if possilbe DARK BLUE

Trevor

April 17th, 2003, 03:43 PM	#1
Art Conway New Boot Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Southlake, TX - Tarrant Posts: 11	Is Something Wrong With My XL-1? I've recently shot some footage on my NTSC XL-1 camera and I noticed some possible image errors that I think my camera might be giving me. The footage I shot is of a friend of mine facing the camera wearing a black shirt. On closer expection, I noticed around the edge of my friend's t-shirt, where the black pixels would end, I woulse see a faint, blue-ish glow effect directly to the right of the black pixel. Then I started to notice it all over the place on the image. So, it seems everytime I have a black pixel, the pixels directly to the right of them would be blue-ish in color. Here is an example of what I am talking about: http://users.ev1.net/~slconway/deadlast/Image.jpg I recorded the footage via a standard firewire cable straight from the XL-1 (interlaced mode) in Adobe Premiere on a WinXP machine. I'm curious if this is normal for anyone else (it doesn't seem like it would be a normal thing for a digital camcorder...) or if my camera needs to be sent off for cleaning/repair. Thanks, Art Conway once I got it into the computer, that anytime my images had any black pixels a faint, slightly blue auroa would appear t

April 18th, 2003, 05:37 AM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Analog video (HI-8mm, S-VHS etc.) can show a similar effect, but is caused by a Y/C delay. I agree with Dean that it looks like the sharpening is set too high for the conditions. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

April 18th, 2003, 02:27 PM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Don't leave it in the center, reduce the sharpness until the halo, or edges disappear. Center isn't off, it's just not maximum sharpness or minimum sharpness. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

April 19th, 2003, 07:20 AM	#7
Trevor Moores Tourist Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 2	have your camera checked and set get a quote from a dealer to have it checked. Better to be safe than sorry. Then read your manual, know your camera, and always use Manual setting so you have complete control over your picture. And on a side note, when filming in DV stay away from colors WHITE, BLACK, and if possilbe DARK BLUE Trevor

April 17th, 2003, 06:44 PM	#2
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	I have seen this effect on old Hi-8 camera, where orange tint from unnatural light and then slight "glow" on edges, perhaps from natural light hitting edge of garments, etc. But cannot think I have seen this on DV cameras. Was the shots with problems taken using auto white balance or manual??? I can see from your example that the shot contains lots of yellow/creme colour over all. Have u tried shots in a different environment / location? and it still the same? Or is it just more "amplified" in certain locations?

April 18th, 2003, 01:46 AM	#3
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Judging from what your freeze frame shows, there are some serious problems with your camera -- there are these rectangles and arrows showing up all over the place!! :-) What you're seeing is the camera's built-in sharpening effect. All video cameras have it. Note that it's especially prevalent in areas of high contrast. Some allow you to set it. The XL1s even lets you turn it off. I tend to turn mine off. The image looks softer but it eliminates the harsh edges which I find annoying. Dean Sensui Base Two Productions

April 18th, 2003, 01:54 PM	#5
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	"...camera's built-in sharpening effect...Some allow you to set it. The XL1s even lets you turn it off. I tend to turn mine off." Waht do you mean by built in-sharpness? I know you can adjust sharpness in presets but I cannot see where u can switch off built in one. Its it that if you dont use a preset the camera runs in "auto" regarding sharpness, rather than just stay fixed in centre sharpness???