Interval timer feature in the XL H1? at DVinfo.net

Nick Matthews · April 6th, 2006, 10:46 PM

According to the Canon website, the XL2 has an interval feature, where the camera will record 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2 seconds of video at a selected interval (every 30 seconds, every 1 minute, every 5 minutes, every 10 minutes). This would be really neat for time lapse videos.

Does the XL H1 also have this interval timer feature?

Barlow Elton · April 6th, 2006, 10:50 PM

I haven't found it. I cannot for the life of me understand how Canon ommitted this feature.

Please tell me I'm wrong folks.

Greg Boston · April 6th, 2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barlow Elton

I haven't found it. I cannot for the life of me understand how Canon ommitted this feature.

Please tell me I'm wrong folks.

I know the menu layout is likely different on the H1, but on the XL2, this feature is on page 2 of the camera setup menu. See if you have something similar. I can't imagine they would take this feature out either.

-gb-

Ron Pfister · April 7th, 2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Boston

I can't imagine they would take this feature out either.

I haven't checked yet, but here's a theory: If the Console application offers interval recording, I can very well see why Canon omitted the feature. And DTE/DTD-recorders like the FS-4 have the same functionality.

FWIW,

Ron

Pete Bauer · April 7th, 2006, 06:21 PM

Bingo!
Yeah, I like my Canon cameras but wasn't happy with their decision on that:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....4&postcount=23

Nick Matthews · April 7th, 2006, 08:17 PM

I don't really see the Console software as being a viable option. The interval timer is especially interesting to me for outdoors wildlife and landscape vista videos. Bringing a laptop along to work the console software just isn't an option.

The Firestore option is more reasonable, although it's an extra cost that I'm not sure I want to go with. The XL-H1 is expensive enough already.
Upon closer inspection, the FS-4 and FS-4 HD dont' provide time lapse functionality either, but the FS-4 Pro and FS-4 Pro HD do.

Not exactly the answer that I was hoping for.

Ron Pfister · April 8th, 2006, 02:57 AM

Nick, I whole-heartedly agree with you. I'm not trying to defend Canon omitting the feature. I was just trying to guess what went on during Canon engineering team XL-H1 feature list meetings.

About the FS-4 Pro HD: I agree it isn't cheap, but If you're not a firm believer in tape backup, such a DTE/DTD device can pay for itself rather quickly in tape costs saved - especially if you would otherwise choose high-quality tape stock.

FWIW,

Ron

Chris Hurd · April 8th, 2006, 06:20 AM

Actually no HDV camcorder offers an intervalometer feature. I'm pretty sure it's a limitation of the MPEG2 encoding process and the interframe compression characteristics of GOP patterns. I would look at this not as a missing feature of the XL H1 but of HDV in general.

Ron Pfister · April 8th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Agreed, the GOP-issue presents a problem here. But they could at least let you record JPEGs to the SD-card at specified intervals. You could fit quite a few on a 2 GB card...

April 6th, 2006, 10:46 PM	#1
Nick Matthews Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3	Interval timer feature in the XL H1? According to the Canon website, the XL2 has an interval feature, where the camera will record 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2 seconds of video at a selected interval (every 30 seconds, every 1 minute, every 5 minutes, every 10 minutes). This would be really neat for time lapse videos. Does the XL H1 also have this interval timer feature?

April 7th, 2006, 06:21 PM	#5
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Bingo! Yeah, I like my Canon cameras but wasn't happy with their decision on that: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....4&postcount=23 __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

April 8th, 2006, 02:57 AM	#7
Ron Pfister Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Basel area, Switzerland Posts: 285	Nick, I whole-heartedly agree with you. I'm not trying to defend Canon omitting the feature. I was just trying to guess what went on during Canon engineering team XL-H1 feature list meetings. About the FS-4 Pro HD: I agree it isn't cheap, but If you're not a firm believer in tape backup, such a DTE/DTD device can pay for itself rather quickly in tape costs saved - especially if you would otherwise choose high-quality tape stock. FWIW, Ron __________________ Ronald P. Pfister halimedia - digital solutions and services www.halimedia.com

April 8th, 2006, 06:20 AM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Actually no HDV camcorder offers an intervalometer feature. I'm pretty sure it's a limitation of the MPEG2 encoding process and the interframe compression characteristics of GOP patterns. I would look at this not as a missing feature of the XL H1 but of HDV in general. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 8th, 2006, 11:45 AM	#9
Ron Pfister Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Basel area, Switzerland Posts: 285	Agreed, the GOP-issue presents a problem here. But they could at least let you record JPEGs to the SD-card at specified intervals. You could fit quite a few on a 2 GB card... __________________ Ronald P. Pfister halimedia - digital solutions and services www.halimedia.com

April 6th, 2006, 10:50 PM	#2
Barlow Elton Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UT Posts: 945	I haven't found it. I cannot for the life of me understand how Canon ommitted this feature. Please tell me I'm wrong folks.

April 7th, 2006, 08:17 PM	#6
Nick Matthews Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3	I don't really see the Console software as being a viable option. The interval timer is especially interesting to me for outdoors wildlife and landscape vista videos. Bringing a laptop along to work the console software just isn't an option. The Firestore option is more reasonable, although it's an extra cost that I'm not sure I want to go with. The XL-H1 is expensive enough already. Upon closer inspection, the FS-4 and FS-4 HD dont' provide time lapse functionality either, but the FS-4 Pro and FS-4 Pro HD do. Not exactly the answer that I was hoping for.