I have been shooting SD for ~ 10 years and just bought the XH A1. I have read the manual and read this board many times; learning a LOT. There are some questions taht I have not been able to find answers too so please, with your assisitance:

1) I know that the camera can have 9 presets loaded; with 7, 8 and 9 protected from the factory. Using the spread sheet I have located several presets that are great! I have loaded them onto an SD card and pulled them into the on-camera presets. Using the two buttons on the camera (custom preset select and Custom Preset on/off) I am not clear on how to be sure a custom preset is active. What is the recommended process to select a custom preset and verify it is active? Sometimes the "CPx" icon is flashing and sometimes steady - which means it is active?

2) Can the custom preset buttons be used to display the name of the custom preset? Lets' say I have imported Custom Preset 2 as a "LOWLIGHT" preset. Is there a way to display the name "LOWLIGHT" instead of just showing CP2?

3) Has anyone found a plastic cover to that would fit over the XLR inputs to protect them when they are not in use?

4) 24F use: I am loving the idea of applying this function but when enabled I have found that handheld use is just about impossible due to bluring. Any solution to this? Mayve disabling the steability function?

Your help is greatly appreciated !

I'll try to answer 3 of the questions:

1) if the CPx is flashing that means that it is selected but not on. Press the preset on button to activate it and it will stop flashing. By the way, when it is off (flashing) the camera reverts to the default preset settings.

2) this is only available on the newer XH-A1s model.

4) the basic rule is OSI on when hand-held, off when on a tripod. Also, make sure your shutter speed isn't too slow. the default is 1/48 for 24F. Your external LCD may look a little choppy on some settings but it shouldn't be that way on the actual video.

Thank you for your words of wisdom! Sounds like I have to keep a "cheat sheet" with me that defines which preset is which; i.e CP2 = LOWLIGHT. Some additional questions:

1) Canon told me they can tell how many hours are on the camera thru some "special" mode. Anyone know how to enter that or get that read?

2) Are their software updates for the camera? If so, is there a list of what is available and why each should be utilized?

3) Back pack or carring case. I am using a generic case but interested in buying the back pack made specifically for the XH A1 - I hear there is an after market company that makes one. What is the name of that company? Any ideas on how to procure cheaply?

1) that's the million dollar question. If anyone knows, they're not telling.

2) There are only minor firmware updates and they are applied if/when a camera is sent in for repair or service. I've never been able to find out what the updates do, there was only one or two, and no change in functionality.

3) do a search in this forum. that topic has been covered extensively.

1) Canon told me they can tell how many hours are on the camera thru some "special" mode. Anyone know how to enter that or get that read? They keep that secret closely guarded; we've never known how to do that here.

Back pack or carring case. There are plenty of existing discussion threads on this topic; please refer to them (the search tool will help you to locate them).

3) Out on the airfields where I work, I cover all non essential switches with patches of black low tack Cling brand tape. Cut some up for use later and stick them to that flat area behind the tape tpt housing.

Cheers.