'Auto Power OFF' message.
 

Yo! Whats up???!!! this setting is a real pain in the BE-hind. I cant figure out how to set the camera to NOT 'Auto Power OFF'

In the manual, the only related info I can find is in the VCR setup menu which is for 'power standby'

We're operating with a 3 camera setup, and we're running power into the cameras. After the cameras sit for a while, with out being on 'record' then they 'auto power off'

Does anyone know anything about this? Its really annoying for the whole crew to juggle with this after the cameras start shutting down.

In the XL2 VCR setup menu, there is no entry for "power standby."

Are we talking about an XL2, XL1S or XL1 here? Because the answer is different for each camera.

so excuse me for being lass-than-acurate in my discriptions of stuff. The exact menu title under 'VCR Setup' on the XL2 is 'Power Save' ,, not 'power setup' .. the two options it gives me are 'shut off' and 'vcr stop' .. Are either of these options related to the 'Auto Power Off' message I get?

My fault, I was referencing the wrong page when I consulted the menu guide in the XL2 operator's manual. At any rate, you can disable the auto power off function by selecting "VCR Stop" in the Power Save section of the VCR Setup menu. Then assign "VCR Stop" to one of the Custom Keys on the XL2 body. For the exact procedure, consult page 33 of your XL2 operator's manual (as well as page 74 for Custom Key setup). Be advised that disabling the auto power off function will create more wear on the recording heads; you'll want to have the XL2 serviced at least yearly by Canon.

"Shut Off" is what you camera is on now. "VCR Stop" will keep the camera running but after five minutes of idle use the VCR mechanism will turn off to save battery.

not trying to be difficult but I thought the reason was to save the wear of the heads....not to save battery. I'm sure it saves some battery but that is a pleasent side effect.

Short-term benefit: auto shutdown saves the battery.
Long-term benefit: auto shutdown saves the heads.

Chris,

Wouldn't this also be true:

Short-term benefit: VCR Stop saves the battery (less than shutdown, more than full-up).
Long-term benefit: VCR Stop saves the heads (exactly the same benefit as the Auto Shutdown feature).

Heh. You're exactly right! I hadn't thought of it like that.

Seems to me that both options would achieve the same desired end result but...there must be some benefit to doing full shutdown. Maybe unthreading the tape during full shut-off helps avoid tape stretch and maintain optimal tension of whatever springs are used in the tape mechanism.

Hmmmm....thoughts for ponder.(scratches chin)

-gb-

I thought that the tape got unthreaded even in the partial or standby mode. BEcause if you hit record when in vcr standby you can hear the tape mechanism pulling the tape back acroos the heads. Are you saying that something more happens with the tape when it is shut all the way off?

Well Marty, I'm not sure but I think you are hearing only the head spin back up. This is interesting because there SHOULD be some difference between vcr stop and power off modes or else there is no reason to have the choice. I am going to pay close attention and perhaps try to seek some official info from Canon on this. Furthermore, since there is a stand by mode available, I would prefer a choice between vcr stop and stand by which would retain current camera settings more accurately.

Good points made by all.

-gb-

great.. now Im really good and confused.

The situation is this:

we run power to the cameras - they are NOT on Battery power.

through extended pauses in the recording of the interviews the cameras 'Auto Power Off'

will having it set to 'VCR stop' keep the camera from doing that?

And including this discussion on saving the heads- will 'VCR Stop' be an OKAY protection scenario?

Im learning a lot. So thanks for hashing this out infront of me.
Stefan

Yes Stefan, setting the vcr stop function will achieve the result of not powering down the camera. Be aware that although the camera is still on, you will need to allow a few seconds after hitting the record button for the camera to come back up to speed and start rolling usable video.

-gb-

thanks. how can I learn more about this 'protecting the heads' stuff?

There's not really much to know. Most cameras will disengage the tape from the head/drive mechanism to protect the heads. Even your old VHS vcr did this. On the original XL1 the camera turned off after 5 minutes of tape inactivity. We all hated it. The XL2 does the same but gives you a choice to only have the tape disengage.

I would think that other than cleaning you should not worry to much about the heads and wear on them. Unless you are filming 24-7!

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