What remote control options are available?
 

Without a laptop. The current Pansonics (and my ancient JVC DV300) have remote zoom, focus, iris, and record. Since these cameras has most (all) configurations available remotely via firewire with Canon Console software, how many are available on a tripod/shoulder mount remote?

Thanks,

David

These camcorders are equipped with a LANC jack. Although LANC is a Sony control protocol, Canon has a license to use it. The XL H1, both XH series camcorders, the XL2 and GL2 all have this control LANC jack. There are a wide variety of LANC controllers covering a range of prices. Manufacturers include Bebob, VariZoom, Canon, Bogen, Libec and others. These controllers integrate zoom, focus, and record into one unit. Currently there is only one LANC controller, the Canon ZR-2000, that offers some limited exposure adjustment. It also has a couple of other features compatible only with the Canon XL H1 and the XH series camcorders, such as focus assist. Please refer to our dedicated Remote Lens Controllers forum for more specific information.

Does this camera support the FU-2000 also? Is any documentation available on the line for the ZR-2000? A search of CanonUSA came up blank.

Thanks,

David

The FU-2000 (worst product nomenclature ever) is an external 2.5" LCD display which is made specifically for the XL H1. It connects to the XL H1 via that camera's dedicated color EVF connection jack. There is no such jack on the XH G1 or A1.

While there isn't yet much info from Canon about the ZR-2000, a number of people here including myself have experience with it. It is fairly rich in features but it is a plastic housing which is not as robust as a VariZoom controller. You get what you pay for though.

OTOH, Canon's Console software would seem to offer the right level of control (and more) - except, of course, a PC is needed.

Will Console be compatible with the XH G1/A1?
Will Console be ported to Mac OS X?


thanks,
rj

Will Console be compatible with the XH G1/A1? Yes it will. The newest version that is.

Will Console be ported to Mac OS X? Probably not, but I've used Console on an Intel Mac and Windows XP.

Is a manual for the ZR-2000 available online?

It doesn't seem to be available anywhere online, but its operation like any other LANC remote lens controller is pretty much straightforward and uncomplicated. Is there some particular feature or other aspect of it about which you're not clear? If so, please elaborate. There's a fairly decent product photo at Abel Cine, one of our site sponsors:

http://www.abelcine.com/store/produc...4&cat=0&page=4

From the pics, it is not clear how the focus works.

It looks like it has both maginfying and peaking, plus push auto focus, and an auto/manual focus shift on the control. Aren't those new to LANC?

It seems to have features missing on many other electronic remotes on other cameras in this class, although it is missing the remote iris, which I find useful.

I would just like to confirm how these features work.

Thanks,

David