|
Top Canon XL H1 Camcorder Reviews
not included yet...
Canon XL H1 News Release Summary:
New Three CCD Camcorder Features Native 16:9 HD Image Quality at
1080i; Adjustable Frame Rates of 60i, 30F and 24F; and Canon's
Professional "Jackpack" Terminals
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2005 — As Canon's first HD video camera, the
XL H1 High Definition (HD) camcorder and 20x HD video zoom lens
with Superior Canon Optics* provide broadcasters with a low-cost
1080i resolution option for ENG, Documentary or Reality TV
production. Filmmakers will also appreciate the extensive Cine
controls and 24 Frame rate option the XL H1 camcorder offers.
Canon's "professional jackpack" features include uncompressed
digital HD-SDI output for seamless integration into broadcast
studios or high-quality image transfer to non-linear editing
systems. The Genlock feature allows movie sets to easily
synchronize camera settings across multiple camcorders and SMPTE
time-codes in-and-out allow for streamlined tape and edit
management.
"As FCC deadlines for transferring all television content to
digital rapidly approach, broadcasters are looking for low-cost
acquisition options that do not require them to revamp their
entire infrastructure," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice
president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at
Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. "By offering
backward compatibility with current SD-based infrastructure, the
XL H1 HD camcorder combines the right features at the right
price to meet the demanding needs of television production and
movie making."
HD Resolution and More
The XL H1 camcorder has three 1/3 inch 16:9 interlaced CCDs that
capture images at 1080i resolution. The camcorder features
selectable frame rates of 60i, 30 Frame and 24 Frame to allow
the user to adjust to the assignment at hand and can switch back
to SD resolution if needed.
At the 30 Frame rate, broadcasters can capture high motion, like
sports with confidence that each frame is captured individually
and completely. Filmmakers can utilize the 24 Frame rate when
creating the look and feel of movie film. The 60i frame rate,
meanwhile, delivers exceptional resolution for shooting
environments like ENG or Reality TV.
The XL H1 HD camcorder is the first model to include Canon's
proprietary DIGIC DV II image processor. DIGIC DV II is an image
processor that can process both HD and SD video signals as well
as still photos, while maintaining the correct color space for
each mode.
Make the Connection with the Professional Jackpack Terminals
The XL H1 camcorder's professional jackpack terminals consist of
three key features designed to streamline production: HD-SDI
output (High Definition Serial Digital Interface), Genlock and
SMPTE (Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers) Time
Code input and output.
To streamline in-studio television production, the XL H1 model
offers HD-SDI and SD-SDI output. HD-SDI output allows
professionals to directly connect to a TV control room or a
non-linear editing system. With this feature, users can plug
their XL H1 camcorder into any professional's system with an
HD-SDI input and can deliver live, unfiltered HD content in all
its brilliant detail. With other HDV models on the market, the
user must feed the HD signal into an analog to digital signal
converter box which adds an extra step, not to mention, an extra
cost. The XL H1 camcorder can also record to HDV Master
recording media or Mini-DV tapes.
Multi-camera shoots with the XL H1 model are no problem thanks
to the camcorder's Genlock synchronization input feature. This
feature allows many XL H1 camcorders to synchronize through a
switcher. With its SMPTE time code input and output, multiple
cameras on a shoot can all lay down the same time code. The XL
H1 camcorder uses a customizable open-architecture approach,
selectable frame rates and multiple output options so
professionals have exactly the right tool, every time they need
it.
Take Total Cine Control
Each year, the number of filmmakers turning to video-based
acquisition solutions for movie production grows. Moviemakers
that shoot video place strong emphasis on delivering the "film"
look to their pictures. Canon's new XL H1 camcorder offers
filmmakers the ability to customize their video recordings using
a number of variables, including: three color matrixes for a
wide range of color correction and two cine gammas for intricate
adjustment of dynamic range, customizable: knee, black stretch,
horizontal detail, coring, sharpness, noise reduction, color
gain, hue and master color adjustments. Each one of these
settings can be modified independently, thereby giving the
camera operator precise control over the "film-like" appearance
of their video.
Still Image Recording for Better Workflow
In addition to its extraordinary video capabilities, Canon's XL
H1 HD camcorder can capture still images plus metadata at full
HD resolution (1920 x 1080 dpi or 2.1 megapixels) onto a
standard Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card and MMC media. The
"Photo" button located on the outside of the camcorder allows
users to capture still images at up to five frames per second.
Camcorder settings can be stored on the memory card and
transferred to another camcorder so setup can be replicated.
The XL H1 camcorder's still image capture plus metadata feature
provides an in-camcorder solution for cinematographers and
directors to check for scene continuity and provides added
back-up to any still photographers on set.
Field of View
Canon is launching a new multi functional color electronic
viewfinder (EVF) and 2.4" 16:9 LCD monitor with Safe Area
Marking built-in; black and white mode; Zebra Pattern (70-100
IRE); Horizontal and Vertical flip and a Distance Readout (using
20X HD Video lens).
As a menu option, users can chose to view Aspect Ratio Guides in
the viewfinder. Canon provides a choice of 4x3, 13x9, 14x9,
1.66:1, 1.75:1 1.85:1, 235:1 guides. The XL H1 HD camcorder
viewfinder also includes a feature called Focus Help. The first
setting — Peaking — creates an exaggerated line in the
viewfinder that disappears when the image is focused. The second
setting — Magnifying — enlarges the viewfinder image, helping
the camera operator better see if the image is properly focused.
The New Canon Lens Addition
The new XL H1 HD camcorder features Canon's XL-interchangeable
lens mount. For the XL H1 camcorder, Canon drew upon its
exceptional heritage and expertise in designing and
manufacturing lenses for photography and broadcast TV to create
its new 20x HD video zoom lens with Superior Canon Optics. This
lightweight, high performance lens achieves fast, precise
focusing and a unique balance of focal length, angle of view and
depth of field; key quality attributes that distinguish Canon
from some other brands.
In addition it incorporates multiple Fluorite elements for
superior contrast, resolution and color fidelity through the
reduction of chromatic aberration. The 20x HD Video lens offers
a fast f/1.6 to f/3.5 aperture for users that shoot under the
most demanding lighting conditions and a close focusing distance
from only 20mm away (when at wide angle). At an aspect ratio of
16:9, the 20x zoom range is an impressive 38.9mm to 778mm (35mm
equivalent). At the 4:3 aspect ratio, it is an equally
impressive 47.4mm to 954mm (35mm equivalent). The lens features
a 72mm filter thread, two independent ND filters (1/6, 1/32),
focus and zoom presets, and optical image stabilization.
Canon's Super-Range Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) system
corrects camera shake instantly so even hand held shots, at full
telephoto, and shots taken from a moving car, are smooth and
steady. Because it is optical, it can compensate for a greater
degree of camera shake and avoids any loss in image quality,
unlike some electronic image stabilizers.
Other optical image stabilizers use a gyro sensor to detect
camcorder vibration (the data from which controls a vari-angle
prism that continuously corrects the path of the incoming
light). Canon's SuperRange OIS system goes one step further by
examining the image after the CCD receives it and detecting any
low-frequency vibrations missed by the gyro. This data is fed
back to accelerate and refine the movement of the vari-angle
prism. This greatly improves performance for low frequency
vibration, resulting in the most advanced optical image
stabilization available today.
Pricing and Availability
The XL H1 camcorder and the 20x HD Video Lens with Superior
Canon Optics will be available as a kit in November for an
estimated selling price of $8,999**.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and
industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of
Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on
the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company
Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology,
ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2004, with global revenues
of $33.3 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
Canon XL H1 Best Price:
|
