Ships in November for $9000USD. According to the Chris H. whom I just got off the phone with, the 24F looks indentical in output to 24P. The CCD's are not progressive so Canon could not call it 24P. However, they do scan the ccd's at 24Hz and the DIGIC DV processor performs the 24p thing with no resolution loss. It's NOT like the Sony Cineframe mode. In short, you will not be disappointed with what comes out according to those who have seen it.

-gb-

Greg, you're beginning to sound like a cheerleader.

Jay

Just looking at the specs on Canon's site. It says "With the XL H1's versatile open-architecture approach, you can even customize your HD camcorder to record in both 60i and 50i. (This optional upgrade must be performed by a Canon Service Center.)"

I wonder what that means? DO you send your camera to them and have them change it from a PAL to NTSC version? Or is it user switchable like the Z1?

There is no details about the lenses options? Since the mount is still an XL one, how the old lenses performs in term of resolution? does Canon have some plans to introduce some HD XL lenses, a manual focusing one for example?

While the stock lens is still a servo driven cam (not my favorite option) it appears that there will be a readout on the EVF showing the distance that you are focused on (canon website), a very cool feature similar to the HVX200 and DVX100. So while there are not hard stops you at least get some indication where you are focused.

Give me a C....give me an A...give me an N... oh, forget it, my uniform doesn't fit me anymore after all the margaritas, chips, and salsa I've consumed.

(Note: Just kidding. Never was a cheerleader, never wanted to be one either.)

-gb-

Ok, I agree, an interesting feature, but there is no interest in having an interchangeable lens camera system with no lens option. Perhaps Canon will introduce them later..

FINALLY we get adjustable back focus:

"Flange Back Adjustment
This adjustment is used to adjust the Flange Back of a lens mounted on the XL H1. This adjustment can be done automatically or manually by the user."

if this camera really does have an uncompressed HD-SDI output that is taken *before* the hdv processing, it's a dream come true for the handheld fast action work that i do... all that's lacking is a firestore or similar that'll record in a better format than that crippled hdv mpeg2.

$9k is of course out of the question, lol, but many thanks to everyone for putting this info online here.

Drat! And I was so looking forward to seeing you in a short skirt and tight sweater shaking your pom-poms! ;o)

Jay

thank goodness, i can still use my 3x and 16x =).

now i'll be waiting for the price to come down for the body kit. hopefully it'll be $7k or so without lens. barring that i'd wait for XL H2 (with variable progressive frame rates and true 1920x1080p).

ahahah everyone. everyone is always looking to the future =).

PS it looks like the tape transport means HDV can be recorded on the same miniDV tapes we're used to right?

Bittersweet feeling guys.

My heart just stopped when i saw the post. (I got the info here first! Thanks guys ! Wooot!)
It's really cool that canon's got the XLH1.
But it looks like its gonna cost a bomb.

I'm a diehard XL fan i guess.
Hhahaha
I'm not sure how long it takes for a camera to get to asia, sooo anyone from Singapore gonna import it in?
Cheers!

That is correct. It has to use the mini-dv tapes or they couldn't label it HDV. It has the added bonus of pumping uncompressed HD out the side over the HD-SDI connection.

-gb-

The Watchdog Skinny on the new XLH1
 

Here's the link to the skinny on the new Canon camera. There are a few typos but not enough to blur the information accuracy.


http://www.dvinfo.net/canonxlh1/xlh1skinnyx.php

-gb-

I'm not sure they'll work. By that, I mean they are not HD lenses. Using SD lenses on an HD camera would be an oxymoron, don't ya think?

Jay

From the "Skinny" site: "Canon states that it will not comment on future products, leaving the question of additional XL HD lens options up in the air."

Wow, without a wide angle lens, that adds insult to injury!

Jay