Choose XH A1 or GL2?

Mike Aldred · November 28th, 2006, 02:14 PM

"Just An Update"

I found footage from a GS500, nice colors and image quality, but not as good Image stabilization, which is one of my must have's on a camcorder.

Another turn of event's a mate of mine has just brought an XM1/GL1

I know, i probarbly should run a mile.... But he's a mate, he say's it's in prestine condition, no " Hot Pixels " he can see. I'm going to give a good test at the weekend...If it has a hot pixel(s) it should be noticable straight away, or can they appear over a duration of time, i know it could pack up a week later but it could also last a while.... and after having that faulty XM1 the quality and stabilizer really amazed me.

He want's £450 ($870 around that)

Does it sound like a good buy if it's clean and clear!!!!

Bill Pryor · November 28th, 2006, 03:51 PM

The GL1 is a bit old, but if it's in good condition that's not a bad price. There were two issues I heard a lot about with the GL1, and the dead pixel you already know about. The other is head alignment.

There were numerous incidents of head alignment issues that came up with both the GL1 and XL1, and the way a person discovered the problem was to try to play a tape on somebody else's deck or camera. If the GL1 recorded with its heads out of alignment, then it could play the tape, but no other deck could play it properly. The way to check that is to record something, then take the tape and see if it will play back on a different camera. If there's no dead pixel and no head alignment problem and the camera looks good, no lens scratches, etc., then it's probably a good deal for you.

Mike Aldred · November 29th, 2006, 07:33 AM

I know it's old but i figure, it'll do me until i can afford the A1.... Plus it'll get me used to a camera in the Pro-Sumer market.

I didn't know about the Head Allignment issue, i'll take my cheapy JVC with me to test that out. Thanks.

Jerome Marot · December 2nd, 2006, 10:42 AM

I actually have a pal GL2 and while it is a very good camera I would not advise to buy it to film snowboarding. I would think that you would get better quality at a lower price from a Sony HC1 (which I also have). The HC1 weakness is low light, but you should not have a problem with light when filming snowboarding.
Just my 2 cents...

November 28th, 2006, 02:14 PM	#31
Mike Aldred New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 15	"Just An Update" I found footage from a GS500, nice colors and image quality, but not as good Image stabilization, which is one of my must have's on a camcorder. Another turn of event's a mate of mine has just brought an XM1/GL1 I know, i probarbly should run a mile.... But he's a mate, he say's it's in prestine condition, no " Hot Pixels " he can see. I'm going to give a good test at the weekend...If it has a hot pixel(s) it should be noticable straight away, or can they appear over a duration of time, i know it could pack up a week later but it could also last a while.... and after having that faulty XM1 the quality and stabilizer really amazed me. He want's £450 ($870 around that) Does it sound like a good buy if it's clean and clear!!!!

November 28th, 2006, 03:51 PM	#32
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	The GL1 is a bit old, but if it's in good condition that's not a bad price. There were two issues I heard a lot about with the GL1, and the dead pixel you already know about. The other is head alignment. There were numerous incidents of head alignment issues that came up with both the GL1 and XL1, and the way a person discovered the problem was to try to play a tape on somebody else's deck or camera. If the GL1 recorded with its heads out of alignment, then it could play the tape, but no other deck could play it properly. The way to check that is to record something, then take the tape and see if it will play back on a different camera. If there's no dead pixel and no head alignment problem and the camera looks good, no lens scratches, etc., then it's probably a good deal for you.

November 29th, 2006, 07:33 AM	#33
Mike Aldred New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 15	I know it's old but i figure, it'll do me until i can afford the A1.... Plus it'll get me used to a camera in the Pro-Sumer market. I didn't know about the Head Allignment issue, i'll take my cheapy JVC with me to test that out. Thanks.

December 2nd, 2006, 10:42 AM	#34
Jerome Marot Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Munich (Germany) Posts: 107 Images: 4	I actually have a pal GL2 and while it is a very good camera I would not advise to buy it to film snowboarding. I would think that you would get better quality at a lower price from a Sony HC1 (which I also have). The HC1 weakness is low light, but you should not have a problem with light when filming snowboarding. Just my 2 cents...