Grainy Video from Canon XH A1 at DVinfo.net

Eddie Coates · June 8th, 2008, 01:07 PM

I just bought the Canon XH A1 and I really am impressed with the construction, build, functions and features!!

However, I am not impressed wit the video being grainy..
Why is the video results from the XH A1 so grainy????

I did change all the auto settings, it is not on AGC , I dont use gain boost
as I use alot of light and do not need the gain boost.

Why does the XH A1 produce grainy video even in 1440x1080i ????

Guy Shaddock · June 8th, 2008, 01:29 PM

I just bought an A1 as well. One thing I can say is it is definitely not grainy. Have you studied up on the presets yet? This website has some great information and an online downloadable catalogue of presets others have tried and developed successfully.
What are your presets set at when you get "grainy" video?

Buddy Frazer · June 8th, 2008, 01:36 PM

The only time I get grain video is in low-light. Make sure the gain is set to 0.

Bill Pryor · June 8th, 2008, 01:56 PM

I agree. You must be shooting at a high gain. Set it manually to zero or -3. Be sure the auto gain is off.

Dan Keaton · June 8th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Are you certain that you are not using Auto Gain?

If so, what gain setting are you using?

Chris Soucy · June 8th, 2008, 04:18 PM

May I ask what you're watching the video on and how it's getting there?

CS

Jordan Orberg · June 9th, 2008, 07:41 AM

Gain = Grain

Kathy Stannard · June 9th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Sorry to add one more to the gain theory, but do have a look at what menu settings you have for the gain. Check that you have the AGC switched off and the actual gain switch to L (for low)

If it's not that maybe provide us with either a still or video sample and also let us know what settings you have the camera on.

Bill Pryor · June 9th, 2008, 11:48 AM

Good point. Also, a person could go into the menu and set the "low" switch position to a high gain. I don't know how you'd do this by accident, but it could be done. Normally, I keep my low position to -3, medium is zero and high is +3...but they could be set at anything.

Trish Kerr · June 9th, 2008, 07:12 PM

The suspense is killing us Eddie....what are your settings....

trish

David Chia · June 10th, 2008, 04:43 AM

I go to +6 the max and the Grain are very minimal at that, when I shoot weddings. The couple and normal people can't really tell the differences. By the way , you can use the shutter speed, iris to control the the image to make it brighter then to use the gain switch...

Seun Osewa · June 10th, 2008, 06:21 AM

Full resolution screen grabs please?

Dan Herrmann · June 10th, 2008, 08:37 PM

David-
I see you wrote the gains setting at high is 6. It can be set anywhere from -3 to 18.
if you want some grain do an 18 gain, works every time.

Eddie Coates · June 11th, 2008, 04:05 AM

I am sorry folks for not responding sooner...

I have the AGC set to OFF

Preset is low -3

I do not use high gain or any gain boost due the fact I shoot in lots of light so a boost is NOT
Needed.

E

Dan Herrmann · June 11th, 2008, 05:20 AM

If your gain is 0 or -3 then that not the issue.
next just set the camera to auto......the end on the dial and shot. not check and see if you have any grainy look.
Not that you will shot that way but that will verify that it is a setting that needs to be adjusted.
Also is the grain showing up after you inport it into your editing system?
what is your platform?

June 8th, 2008, 01:07 PM	#1
Eddie Coates Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 58	Grainy Video from Canon XH A1 I just bought the Canon XH A1 and I really am impressed with the construction, build, functions and features!! However, I am not impressed wit the video being grainy.. Why is the video results from the XH A1 so grainy???? I did change all the auto settings, it is not on AGC , I dont use gain boost as I use alot of light and do not need the gain boost. Why does the XH A1 produce grainy video even in 1440x1080i ????

June 8th, 2008, 03:33 PM	#5
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Are you certain that you are not using Auto Gain? If so, what gain setting are you using? __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

June 8th, 2008, 04:18 PM	#6
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	Hi Eddie........... May I ask what you're watching the video on and how it's getting there? CS

June 9th, 2008, 10:52 AM	#8
Kathy Stannard Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: London Posts: 35	Sorry to add one more to the gain theory, but do have a look at what menu settings you have for the gain. Check that you have the AGC switched off and the actual gain switch to L (for low) If it's not that maybe provide us with either a still or video sample and also let us know what settings you have the camera on. __________________ www.tallyproductions.co.uk

June 10th, 2008, 04:43 AM	#11
David Chia Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 427	I go to +6 the max and the Grain are very minimal at that, when I shoot weddings. The couple and normal people can't really tell the differences. By the way , you can use the shutter speed, iris to control the the image to make it brighter then to use the gain switch... __________________ Website: http://www.Motiononcanvas.com Camera Operator/ Video Editor in Singapore. https://new.cinematographer.org.au/m...713/david-chia

June 8th, 2008, 01:29 PM	#2
Guy Shaddock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 131	I just bought an A1 as well. One thing I can say is it is definitely not grainy. Have you studied up on the presets yet? This website has some great information and an online downloadable catalogue of presets others have tried and developed successfully. What are your presets set at when you get "grainy" video?

June 8th, 2008, 01:36 PM	#3
Buddy Frazer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Addison (Dallas) Texas Posts: 88	The only time I get grain video is in low-light. Make sure the gain is set to 0.

June 8th, 2008, 01:56 PM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I agree. You must be shooting at a high gain. Set it manually to zero or -3. Be sure the auto gain is off.

June 9th, 2008, 07:41 AM	#7
Jordan Orberg Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Redmond, Virginia Posts: 84	Gain = Grain

June 9th, 2008, 11:48 AM	#9
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Good point. Also, a person could go into the menu and set the "low" switch position to a high gain. I don't know how you'd do this by accident, but it could be done. Normally, I keep my low position to -3, medium is zero and high is +3...but they could be set at anything.

June 9th, 2008, 07:12 PM	#10
Trish Kerr Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 294	The suspense is killing us Eddie....what are your settings.... trish

June 10th, 2008, 06:21 AM	#12
Seun Osewa Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West Africa Posts: 255	Full resolution screen grabs please?

June 10th, 2008, 08:37 PM	#13
Dan Herrmann Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: villa park CA Posts: 81	The gain can be set as high as 18 not 6 David- I see you wrote the gains setting at high is 6. It can be set anywhere from -3 to 18. if you want some grain do an 18 gain, works every time.

June 11th, 2008, 04:05 AM	#14
Eddie Coates Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 58	Grain I am sorry folks for not responding sooner... I have the AGC set to OFF Preset is low -3 I do not use high gain or any gain boost due the fact I shoot in lots of light so a boost is NOT Needed. E

June 11th, 2008, 05:20 AM	#15
Dan Herrmann Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: villa park CA Posts: 81	Do you have a factory preset turned on If your gain is 0 or -3 then that not the issue. next just set the camera to auto......the end on the dial and shot. not check and see if you have any grainy look. Not that you will shot that way but that will verify that it is a setting that needs to be adjusted. Also is the grain showing up after you inport it into your editing system? what is your platform?