Does anyone know if there is an infared (IR) filter inside the XL1S camcorder? If so, has anyone ever removed it?

Also, does anyone know of a source for detailed drawings or info for the internal components of the XL1S?

Hmm, Jay, I can think of no faster way to ruin a camera than starting to disassemble it. I've seen the XL1 service manual, it does have the type of stuff you're looking for, but it is very difficult to actually obtain one. What exactly are you trying to do?

I was wanting to record video at night in complete darkness with an IR illumination source.

Jay,

The IR filter is not a user replacable item. My best guess is, the optical block would need to be realigned if you removed the filter. The amount of disasembly required to get to the filter and remove it would cause the need for realignment.

Jeff

Most cams are already sensitive to IR...just point the remote at them an see. Frequently, the LEDs in a remote are used as an illumination source.

Be aware that you won't get much, if any, color. All things considered, I would use a standard home camcorde which will probably prove much more sensitive than either a GL2 or XL-1S.