What is the main difference in the Canon XL1 and XL1s? at DVinfo.net

Adam Brennan · February 1st, 2003, 07:27 PM

I'm sorry if this question has been asked a zillion times, but I am new here. I don't know enough about these cameras, but my main concern was with quailty of picture. I know the XL1 have an annoying 15 minute shutdown unlike the XL1S, but anything else in quailty?

Frank Granovski · February 1st, 2003, 08:17 PM

"my main concern was with quailty of picture."

The quality of the video is very good with the XL1/XL1S. Horizontal line playback resolution is 460, with rich color (both cams).

Cams shut down in "pause," so that the heads don't over heat.

Dylan Couper · February 1st, 2003, 08:41 PM

Difference in picture is virtualy indistinguishable. I say virtualy because I'm sure some Canon techs can tell the difference.

The XL1s has several extra features which many people might find handy though, inlcuding disabling the standby mode, which often seems more like 1 minute than 5 minutes.

Rik Sanchez · February 1st, 2003, 09:46 PM

One of the features of the XL-1s that I really like a lot is the way you can hide the timecode data and not have it shown when you run a video feed out of the camera to a monitor or projector while taping. You can turn it off using the in-camera menu or with the remote contral unit, with my XL-1, I can only turn it off using the remote control.

I went to shoot and project some video of a friend's band, when I got there, I had forgotten the remote control so I couldn't shoot any video that night, having to carry the remote with me at all times is a small inconvienence.

I've only used my friend's XL-1s once so I don't really know what else it has.

Ken Tanaka · February 1st, 2003, 10:26 PM

Adam,
Chris has a page on the "Watchdog" section of this DVInfo site that reviews the XL1s' features as compared to the XL1.

Adam Brennan · February 2nd, 2003, 09:48 PM

Thanks! This site is awesome! One of the best chat and info sites around. I think it has to do with people usinf their real names and not hidden behind a fake id where they can get a bit mouthy. But like I said, this site is very cool! I've learned soo much since I registered here.

Ryan Krga · February 4th, 2003, 03:53 PM

So there is no huge difference in image quality? What about audio and how does it film at night compared to the XL1S?

I had a couple comparison questions myself.

Thanks guys,
Ryan Krga

Chris Hurd · February 4th, 2003, 04:52 PM

There is no difference in audio. No camcorder does well at night. In low light, however, the XL1S enjoys greater sensitivity than the XL1 due to newer CCD's, plus an extended increase in electronic gain from +12db on the XL1 to +30db on the XL1S. Hope this helps,

Don Parrish · February 4th, 2003, 08:07 PM

and I dont believe that the XL1 can record from another source, I carry a 4 pin to 4 pin fire wire cable in case I want to record camera to camera, an RCA cable for a VCR, etc.

Chris Hurd · February 4th, 2003, 08:20 PM

The XL1 can record from any DV source, but not analog. The XL1S can record from any DV and/or analog source.

Don Parrish · February 4th, 2003, 09:01 PM

Chris, thanks for the correction.

February 1st, 2003, 07:27 PM	#1
Adam Brennan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 58	What is the main difference in the Canon XL1 and XL1s? I'm sorry if this question has been asked a zillion times, but I am new here. I don't know enough about these cameras, but my main concern was with quailty of picture. I know the XL1 have an annoying 15 minute shutdown unlike the XL1S, but anything else in quailty?

February 1st, 2003, 09:46 PM	#4
Rik Sanchez ChorizoSmells Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 424	One of the features of the XL-1s that I really like a lot is the way you can hide the timecode data and not have it shown when you run a video feed out of the camera to a monitor or projector while taping. You can turn it off using the in-camera menu or with the remote contral unit, with my XL-1, I can only turn it off using the remote control. I went to shoot and project some video of a friend's band, when I got there, I had forgotten the remote control so I couldn't shoot any video that night, having to carry the remote with me at all times is a small inconvienence. I've only used my friend's XL-1s once so I don't really know what else it has. __________________ ChorizoSmells Video Barrio Tamatsukuri, Osaka, JAPAN

February 1st, 2003, 10:26 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Adam, Chris has a page on the "Watchdog" section of this DVInfo site that reviews the XL1s' features as compared to the XL1. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

February 4th, 2003, 04:52 PM	#8
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	There is no difference in audio. No camcorder does well at night. In low light, however, the XL1S enjoys greater sensitivity than the XL1 due to newer CCD's, plus an extended increase in electronic gain from +12db on the XL1 to +30db on the XL1S. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 4th, 2003, 08:20 PM	#10
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	The XL1 can record from any DV source, but not analog. The XL1S can record from any DV and/or analog source. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

February 1st, 2003, 08:17 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	"my main concern was with quailty of picture." The quality of the video is very good with the XL1/XL1S. Horizontal line playback resolution is 460, with rich color (both cams). Cams shut down in "pause," so that the heads don't over heat.

February 1st, 2003, 08:41 PM	#3
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Difference in picture is virtualy indistinguishable. I say virtualy because I'm sure some Canon techs can tell the difference. The XL1s has several extra features which many people might find handy though, inlcuding disabling the standby mode, which often seems more like 1 minute than 5 minutes.

February 2nd, 2003, 09:48 PM	#6
Adam Brennan Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 58	Thanks! This site is awesome! One of the best chat and info sites around. I think it has to do with people usinf their real names and not hidden behind a fake id where they can get a bit mouthy. But like I said, this site is very cool! I've learned soo much since I registered here.

February 4th, 2003, 03:53 PM	#7
Ryan Krga Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 116	So there is no huge difference in image quality? What about audio and how does it film at night compared to the XL1S? I had a couple comparison questions myself. Thanks guys, Ryan Krga

February 4th, 2003, 08:07 PM	#9
Don Parrish Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tavares Fla Posts: 541	and I dont believe that the XL1 can record from another source, I carry a 4 pin to 4 pin fire wire cable in case I want to record camera to camera, an RCA cable for a VCR, etc.

February 4th, 2003, 09:01 PM	#11
Don Parrish Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tavares Fla Posts: 541	Chris, thanks for the correction.