Okay, I'll see if we can run the poll as follows: a member can access a votable poll *one* time (it would be neither fair nor accurate for any one person to vote multiple times). When a person votes in the poll, they can choose a limited number of selections... three or four or five... from the total number on the list. If the list has twenty choices, you can pick four of them, and that's your vote... and it's your one single vote. This will give us an idea of how many people there are among our membership that are actually interested in this.

Also, I think you can safely remove the "fix -40 value in Custom Presets" from the wish list. Consider it a given. If Canon chooses to issue a firmware upgrade, then they'll fix that obvious problem; we don't have to ask for it.

Sounds great to me!

Agreed!

This sounds great, Chris. Thanks.

Important

- OIS mappable to custom key
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key


I want to plea for
-Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode, as important.

Why? This big button is doing nothing in manual mode, Push auto exposure
(to override temp the manual iris setting) is something all professional cams have. In manual mode you need to push auto focus and push auto iris to override the manual. This is a function I use often, and it is always there.

Default shutter? You need to check WB, Focus, Iris AND shutter before you start, sometimes you want 1/25, 1/100, mostly 1/50. This is something you CAN change.

I know for sure that a short list brings more power than a long list, it need to be something that is programmable in the software systematic.

How about better white balance?

I enjoy the "dialied in white balance", but many times the 2800k isn't cold enough. A lot of times I can't get it low enough (which is wierd because I can get the white balance if I allow the AWB, which I hate to do, or use the A-B settings, which work out, but not as fine tuned.

I am unsure if anyone else has come into this slight problem, but I would like the white balance to go lower.

I discovered another small problem that I would like fixed, or added to firmware. In the Custom Functionality settings under 04 "Buttons operation" there isn't a setting for the "end play" button (the last one under disp. and peaking), to allow for a long push like the magn and wb sett, exp. lock and AF settings.

I have found that I bump this button on occasion and I have lost a few shots during a run and gun session because it takes like tens seconds or so to cycle the last recorded stuff on tape.

I would definately like this added to firmware.

Also another idea is to allow the "photo" buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button (for OIS and XLR audio setting toggling) This isn't a huge deal but I would use an OIS toggle more than I take photos. This is just a thought.

Image flip, either on CCD or LCD would be awsome.

Here we go, latest update of our growing wish list:

- fix: focus pulsing during zooms (if fixable by firmware)
- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button

In case I forgot wishes, simply copy list and add.

It would be nice if they made it so we could reuse the AGC button as a OIS button. It would be a great option for the pro user...

- removed focus pulsing during zooms
Why? Its on the forum for a long time and only 1 person really sees it as a problem (Michael) not those other hunderd users. (almost 4.000 views) The pulsing is shown to Canon and they say it is not fixable by software, it is not a problem at all.

I say, it is the speediest autofocus system I 've seen in the HDV cams, if you do not like the speed puls from the two-way AF system you can turn the system to manual, or you set it to normal AF 1 system behavior. All together: it belongs not on the firmware list.


FIRMWARE UPDATE LIST
- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button

Raymond, that has never been the question.

Fact is that all discussing users have seen focus pulsing during AF zooms. That means you practicably can't zoom with AF switched on, unless you want your focus bounce back and forth. This is not what one would accept of any AF system. So I call this plainly a AF malfunction, not more, not less.

But: Nobody is forced to see this as a problem.

Although this is not the place for this discussion I just want to clarify that Michael is not the only person who is seeing this problem. Several people have confirmed that their cameras display this issue (i've had two with this).

The pulsing artefact happens at 3x per second when zooming into a static target. It happens in both AF and IAF. This is not the focus rapidly adjusting. It is not behaviour you would normally expect from an AF system.

Canon did not say it was "not a problem". Canon just said that it was not likely to be fixed by a firmware update.

Just because it doesn't happen to interfere with the way you work has nothing to do with whether it is a defect or an acceptable "quirk" of the camera.

Michael has been very positive about the camera in general, and has been keen to learn how to work around this problem.

Seeing as you cannot zoom and focus at the same time, perhaps disabling AF during zooms in firmware is not an unreasonable suggestion.

Just capturing my first day's test, here's another one I'd like to emphatically add to the list.

Ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name, as opposed to just number! Impossible to remember which is which by number alone, especially with the potential for so many presets. The on-screen cp display would probably need to be moved to the lower left on the screen in order to do this.

The amount of presets on this cam are awsome, this would make them much more manageable in the field.

I totally agree!

Definately agreed to the custom presets being dispayed by name.

Also, I never intend to use the AWB switch and that would be great for possibly allocating an OIS Switch or XLR mic to onboard mic in place.

Alex, reading the whole thread. One person sees it,you confirm some of it, later you say its solved, one other person (after intense searching and looking) thinks maybe he sees something. That's it.

No one on other boards sees it, not on dvxuser, I don't see it (other than normal AF behavior.) It's an 1 or 2 person issue, with HUGE continuing postings with almost no followers. You and Michael gave it much attention already. It's a non issue, and certainly do not belong in the update list.

Raymond, no offense, but there are at least 4 users in this forum who have noticed this focus pulsing or have confirmed it (Alex Leigh, Tom Roper, Gabor Tarnok and me). In addition Canon Service has confirmed it! Watch for yourself: http://www.filefactory.com/f/f5656740836b15ad/.

It's fine (and that's no irony!) that you don't notice this focus pulsing. But please accept that others don't make this thing up - and that some may consider it as an issue or even a problem. Please be tolerant - thank you!

Latest update of our wishlist:
(Position in list does not correspond to importance of wish. The result of our final poll will indicate the average importance of each wish.)

- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch

Anything else? We're still collecting.

Revision Requests
 

These all sound great to me; I wonder, however, how realistic it is that Canon will fix them in a firmware update. It seems more likely that they will add them to the next revision of the camcorder (At least that is what Panasonic would do.)

Canon in the past has been known to do various enhancements to products via firmware, and I am hoping that they actually look at this with a desire for change.

Wouldn't they have to reprint manuals and change some of the text on the camcorders to do all of these revisions? I would like all of the requests, but some requests I don't think Canon wil change, regardless of how easy it would be to implement in the firmware.

FINGERS CROSSED!

They might. They might not. But if we don't ask we definately don't get.

I hadn't really though about all the other elements that were needed as a concequence (like revising the manuals) - although they could add a quick sheet simply listing enhancements (like an addenda).

Audio limiter exists already?
 

There is a suggestion in another thread that this is effectively what happens when you select auto-level, select MIC ATT (-20 db?), and dial in some gain (the example given was +12 db, effectively -8 db). How many people have tried this yet? Does it give the desired effect? If not, how would the behaviour be different?

Looking at the way auto-level works in my old XM1, it has a fixed starting level that it calls 0db, and when the audio gets too loud, it attenuates it by a varying amount. What is missing is a way to select the "starting level", other than MIC ATT, which is rather drastic at -20 db. From the description given in the other thread, it sounds to me like that's just what the XH-A1 gives you.

BTW I'm yet to make a decision about which HDV cam to get: FX7 or XH-A1? I think I've ruled out the V1E... This "best of both worlds" adjustable audio auto-level seems like a big plus point for the Canon.

-20 dB IS the only attenuation the A1 has, but I have tried the -20+12=-8 combo & seems to mimic somewhat what a soft limiter circuit would do & is my workaround for now until/IF one is added in a firmware update.

My main gripe audiowise is Canon's choose "all or none" method regarding auto gain or manual audio for both channels only, instead of being able to selectively choose ch.1 or ch.2 or both ourselves. And like I've said in a previous post somewhere here, it seems to be that way with the whole Canon product lineup.

I don't get it :-\

Bill

Mark, I tried this (AGC, -20 db, + 8dB) with my external Sennheiser. It is definetely no professional solution but it does sound quite acceptable as a workaround - with the following limitations:

(1) You are still recording audio with automatic gain control, which means that unwanted audio "pumping" due to compressing may occur anytime. A "true" soft clipping feature or a true limiter (run under manual gain control!) would leave the audio uncompressed and compress only unhearable peaks - which sound awful if not limited.
(2) The "sensitivity" (there is a better technical term ... ) of your external mic has to be adequate.

It is a pity: The A1 has professional XLR inputs, a surprisingly low-noise mic preamp (meanwhile I tested it!) plus two channel manual gain control - great! But without soft clipping/limiting feature you can't take full advantage of it, since you have to go to low in your manual gain to prevent possible clipping.

That's why I'm hoping for this update.

Well said, Michael. I tried out nearly every combination of the three audio features - attenuator, gain, and auto, using my k6/me66 & evo wireless lav, and in the end decided that right now, the most acceptible solution is to simply stay with manual and watch levels closely. Sure do hope this poll get some notice.

I know Chris mentioned that Canon does not have a product manager, similar to pana's Jan Crittenden or Avid's Marianna, due to corp. policy - maybe it's time they re-think that. When I had problems, Jan was an enormous asset, Canon should find a way to do the same.

That's an interesting point, Stu. Maybe there lies the answer to our question: Product management simply FORGOT to implement such an essential audio feature when designing this professional cam. I can't imagine it the other way round: Leaving it out intentionally (why?) or because of the budget (it costs almost nothing!).

Well, this is essentially at the core of all my observations about this cam - nearly all of the issues on this wish list point to that fact that the A1's design has one foot in a consumer mindset, the other in a pro set. Examples include the missing audio capabilites, xlr/internal switching, OIS accesibility, inclusion of specialty modes like fireworks, night, shutter priority, etc. None of the missing features are big selling points for consumers, and many of the included features have no value for pros. Yet the spectacular image controls are at the top of class among its counterparts.

This is a pro cam, in the same way its Pana and Sony peers are, and as is the H1, but the bulk of Canon's camcorders are consumer, unlike Sony or Pana, which have long established professional product lines. I hope as the popularity of the A1 soars, and I think it will, Canon will bring in product designers who understand a pro mindset. A product manager with a strong on-line presence would be an outstanding first step toward that... after, of course, our FIRMWARE UPDATE!

Latest update of our wishlist:

- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch
- ability to fine tune the LCD and CRT viewfinder to match colors in menu settings

Woah, I never said that! Of course Canon has a product manager. What they don't have is a policy which allows them to post on internet message boards. Kind of understandable, too, considering how easy it is to be mis-quoted or misunderstood on an internet message board.

Meant online (of course there's a product manager) which goes to show, point about being misunderstood well taken. :)

Still, Canon has a huge opportunity with the A1 to take the high ground it's category, and product managers posting to forums online is pretty common within the industry. The benefits for them (and us) would far outweigh the risks.

No argument there -- here's hoping that they'll reconsider their policy.

I thought of another possible inclusion in a firmware update. It isn't necessary, but probably easy to implement.

A digital zoom in SD. I KNOW DIGITAL ZOOMS ARE BAD, but in this case you could get probably a 40x zoom with 0 degredation due to the extra rez of HD. This would be a useful feature for many people I would think in sports and nature. People would go nuts for a 40x zoom with no loss in visual quality.

I wouldn't mind seeing it as a feature, and I would use it on occasion.

Latest update of our wishlist:
(Position in list does not correspond to importance of wish. The result of our final poll will indicate the average importance of each wish.)

- OIS mappable to custom key
- XLR/ camera mics mappable to custom key
- 1/50th default shutter speed in 25F
- Remember the previous selected shutter speed
- Exposure lock acts as 'Push auto exposure' in Manual mode
- Soft clipping / limiter in manual audio mode
- Peaking and zebra together
- Magnification that works during recording
- Exposure override via iris ring in TV mode
- Custom presets select via shutter scroll wheel
- Image flip on LCD
- Image flip on CCD
- Exposure lock disables AGC adjustments
- Improvements of NR1, NR2
- Additional stop(s) between 1/25 and 1/50 (1/33 and/or 1/40)
- Intermediate steps in gain
- Remaining battery time in real minutes
- Improvement of the "night" mode
- Conversion 50i to 25f (playback)
- setting for "end play" button to allow for a long push
- white balance settings below 2800 K
- photo buttons to be used as a possible custom preset button
- option to disable AF during zooms (to prevent focus pulsing when filming in AF)
- ability for custom preset to be displayed on screen by name (as opposed to just number)
- option to allocate AWB switch as OIS Switch or XLR mic / onboard mic switch
- ability to fine tune the LCD and CRT viewfinder to match colors in menu settings
- additional digital zoom in SD


Alright, fellow users, what do you think? Shall we stop here and signal Chris that we are ready for the poll? (As soon as Chris finds time to program, of course!) Or still wait and collect wishes for another couple of days?

Another suggestion:
Maybe one of our native English speakers, who is good in precise and comprehensible technical phrasing, works over our final list, before Chris starts to program the poll. Good phrasing is essential for a successful comminication/presentation of our final results to Canon. This would also save Chris a lot of time. Is that okay with you, Chris?

*this is a long stretch, but...*
 

Can we add a umm... ahemm... "hardware" update to this list?

This is, in my opinion, is certainly viable & wouldn't seem to be that big of a deal at all to do.... here goes... that LAME LENS CAP!

How about something similar to Sony's Z1, etc. with the shutters on top & bottom integrated into the lens shade! Surely Sony hasn't patented that design :-\ ) We need something, anything, that's better than what we've got now! Not only is it cumbersome to even get it to lock in place (I have to try several times most of the time), but we also have to keep tabs on where we keep it.

I don't know about anyone else... but I'm about to take a hammer to mine!

I recall seeing something years ago similar to a shower cap (for lack of a better description) that was for this purpose. Anyone know what I'm talking about? If so, anyone recall the name of that product?

Bill

I've set one of the custom keys to switch between custom presets, but the names that have been given to the customs preset don't show up in the display (only CP1 etc).

Is there a way to change this? If not, it would be nice to see this implemented in a firmware upgrade.

As a more dramatic change, it would be nice to be able to access to the most important custom parameters (black press, color gain, NR) without having to use/edit custom presets. IMO quick access to editing each of these parameters would improve the recoding workflow a lot.

it's in the list... near the bottom. And I think it's a must have.

Looks like we're ready to go to me, think all the major requests have been hit and re-hit. And althought they may not participate, my guess is that they read, wouldn't be at all surprised if someone from Canon's read the whole thread.

180 degrees image flip on LCD and EVF
 

180 degrees flip option on LCD and EVF would be great. XH will sell volumes more in the upcoming year. Even Chinese sub $100 LCD monitors support this feature how come that the major manufacturers can`t implement it?
With every day passed more and more videographers become avare of the DOF adaptors but are mostly turned down by camcorder manufacturers not supporting image flipping. JVC is the only true listener in this regard so far.
Canon XH (not to mention XL H1) could rule this market segment if only minor updates were made to firmware. What else could sell camcorders better than the work done with those...

Cheers,
T

If it's not too late, a HUGE issue for me is the inability to use both the internal and an external mic at the same time. Also, and I think this has been mentioned before but not included in the list, is the ability to switch between external and internal mics without going into the menu.

Great one, Larry, that'd make my top five too. Internal/external switching has been covered.

Good one!

It is on list position two, Larry.