<<So, I could buy a sennheiser shotgun mic and connect it to the xl2 directly and control the level of sound it records on the camera?>>

Deron, everything I wrote about in my mini review was using a Sennheiser connected directly to the XL2. I used more than one word, but I thought I was pretty clear <g>

I felt like you were; just wanted to make sure I understood correctly. I had heard that the xl2 had no audio control for external microphones, which sounded odd / wrong, and now I know it is. Thanks.

How much attenuation, if any
 

I use an AT inline barrel attenuator when recording loud signals into my DVX-100 and was wondering if you do something similar with your XL-2?

Greg

Re: XL2 audio..."RCA jacks ..line level"
 

Chris..

First, thanks....I learn something everytime I turn to this forum.

Second, I'm still a little confused about the XL2's ability to handle line level audio signals. Inasmuch as I shoot news and often participate in courtroom pool video, I need to be able to accept either mike or line level when I daisy-chain with other photogs in the absence of a mul-box....

The XL1s had a menu selection to pick the audio level. Darned if I can find that on the XL2. 20db attenuation isn't enough....

I bought a 40db pad, but I'd love to be able to avoid using it.

What am I missing?

Thanks again,

Bob

Bob, you're missing line-level inputs through the XLR's -- because they ain't there. It's line-level via the RCA jacks only; XLR's on the XL2 are mic-level only. And that's just the way it is, to the chagrin of some.

Chris,

Well, I can certainly live with that. It just means I need to carry two sets of cables....the old XL1s set with the RCA plugs and the new set with the XLR's....of course, the pad is smaller and lighter...

Hey, a little off the thread...but ... I checked the US and Canadian Canon sites and have not been able to find the software download for the DV-PC recorder that was advertised on the Canon pkg insert that came with the camera.... I've also received no human replies from my e-mail inquiries. Is it me or them?

Thanks again for your help.

Bob

Bob: you can download the software and manual here:

http://www.canon-europe.com/xl2/Firm...ageID=222801#1

...and here:
http://www.canon.ca/english/index-pr...=5&gid=2&ovr=1

Download of the DV-PC Software is in progress!

Thank you!

Bob

if i use an XL2 as a 48v phantom power source for a rode NT1a microphone to do voice-over work (DV tape imported into FCP 4.5) for a video, is there a way to then convert that same voice file into an mp3, to use part of it in a podcast?

Meryem, If you have it on the timeline in FCP, you should be able to render it out to a MP3 file (you can in Vegas anyway). Just check the Render options available in FCP.