Nick - not wrong to get involved, that is how we all learn.

hi everybody
 

Canon XL2 is definetely 8 bit A/D Digital Quantization. Its specified on simplydv.co.uk

url :http://www.simplydv.co.uk/docs/CanonXL2_specifications.pdf

thanx

If setup, and WB are performed in analog a 10 bit quantization depth for the analog CCD signals is OK (8+2 bits extra for standard gamma correction which is difficult in analog)) for not too complicated (digital) processing (excluding cine gamma , knee processing...) Less bitdepths result in banding and/or spatial dithering noise. Of course the final quantization after processing allways remains 8 bit for DV.

DV is by definition an 8-bit quantization signal. That is what goes to tape and out the firewire. The question at hand is the internals before the video reaches the tape.

I would like to read the 8-bit A/D and DSP front-end specification from an authorative Canon voice, rather than a third party website.

Per the Canon service manuals, in the XL1 and the GL1 gamma correction takes place in the analog section before the initial A/D conversion and 9-bit DSP. It drops to 8-bit when it leaves the DSP to go to the recorder section. If find it difficult to believe that Canon would dumb it down in the XL2.

I have received notification from Canon USA that the XL2 has a 12-bit DSP. This applies of course to both NTSC and PAL versions.

Great news Chris, and thanks for your effort on this!

I assume from the text of their reply that it means the A->D converter is 12 bit too <ducks quickly>?

Aaron

Aaron: that should be the "DSP" they are talking about if I
understand it correctly.

<< thanks for your effort on this >>

It wasn't much of an effort! All I did was receive an email.

Chris Hurd wrote:
>>>>>>>>It wasn't much of an effort! All I did was receive an email.

C'mon Chris. Give yourself some credit where it is due, Young Padawan.

Maybe all you did was open an email yesterday,,, but you still deserve a LOT of kudos for your time and effort in building this site and helping to keep us informed about the XL2. Your telling us that the DSP was 12-bit yesterday reminded me of when I used to visit the original XL1 WatchDog years ago - when the XL1 first came out - this was always the place to come to learn more about all aspects of the XL - and it still is! To me, you are "The WatchDog"! http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/watchdog255x260.gif

THANKS Chris!

- don