Post questions for the Canon Product Manager
 

Chris H. has asked me to start this thread with your questions for the Canon Product Manager as he will be meeting with him tomorrow. He wants to be able to put forth your most pressing questions that haven't been answered by the information already available here at DVINFO.

Chris also mentioned that starting today, with the announcement of the XLH1 camera, HDV2 now includes 24 frame as part of the spec along with 4 channel 192khz audio. Because Canon is part of the consortium, they were able to bring these new capabilities into the HDV specification.

Also, I asked about GOP length and it is 15 frame GOP ala the Sony. He stated that uncompressed HD is also available via the component outputs, not just the SDI output and all modes, 60i, 30f, 24f are available via these outputs.

Hope that answers some questions. Post your other questions in this thread.

regards,

-gb-

Ok.. how about what can it send thoruhg firewire? HDV only?
Does the HDV firestore work with the XLH1?

Can it also output regular SD- SDI when running in SD (or HD!) mode?

and how do you connect the computer that is running the Controller software?
How about tally? could the software possibly send the camera a Tally signal? ..a tally signal that could be sent to the control computer from external hardware, like a switcher?

Can you control multiple cameras with just one computer running the software, or is it one computer per camera?

Put in a request for an adapter to standard Canon Broadcast lenses.. or a lense with internal zoom and focus servos that can use standard Canon Pro lense controls.

- Mikko

Mikko, the software connects via firewire according to Canon's website. As for multiple cameras, that is a good question. Thanks for posting.

-gb-

Okay, assuming you're right, Greg (based on our other discussion), and I have no doubt you are, I'd like to know why they stepped over their "prosumer" customers with this model.

Too, I'd like to know why it's twice the price of other HD cameras.

Thank you.

Jay

Will a 24F or 30F frame retain full resolution. Example: Will a 60i and 24F resolution chart show the same lines of resolution, or will there be some softening of the 24F frame.

I assume 1/48th shutter is a giving considering the 24hz sampling?

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

1) How is 24F different from 24P?

2) Any realistic workflow of making 24F look like 24P in a NLE.

Is it possible to record to the DV casette for shorter periods at higher bit rates e.g. 100 bps for 15 min?

Ask a couple of questions about 24F. Then probe for more details on 24F. You might also ask for some depth white papers on 24F....

Okay, you get the point.

The nature of real progressive frames from this camera is issue #1 for me. I hear what's been said already but without images and the camera in hand, we don't really know that much yet.

However, the good news is that Canon did not lose their mind and understand what a big deal 24p is for their target market.

Since they're tauting it's still ability, does that mean that I'll be able to use my fa-200 (flash adapter) on it or has that been done away with.

Is Canon going to encourage prosumber HD-SDI -> hard disk solutions? i.e., something like a Firestone or an iPod that takes HD-SDI in and converts directly to a codec and stores it?

Suppose for example they made a $1000-$2000 HD-SDI -> DVCPRO-HD drive, or better yet, an HD-SDI -> Cineform drive. Such a device would offer excellent storage capacity, and with these codec's modest disk requirements compared to the full uncompressed signal, offer excellent options for post production work and editing.

Certainly such a product going to HDCAM SR would be ideal - but as an interum step, such a device would not only place the price point of this camera exactly the same as a fully loaded HVX with P2.

-Steve

That sounds great, but its going to cost 2 grand just for a firestore that reads the DVCPRO-HD data stream directly off an HVX. I think packing a processor into a drive unit that can do realtime conversion from HD-SDI to DVCPRO-HD would cost.. well, a lot more than 1-2K :(

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

1. When are going to have some lens options, specifically the wide angle 3x lens, and can I use my ef adapter with eos lenses?

2. is there any way now or in the future to output to 24fps (full rez, i'm sure that we all know what the argument is about), either through a framestore, ipod, harddrive....etc. without the interlace conversion to tape.

michael

to add to that, to output in field situation far away from a studio. And options that are low in cost.

Can you downconvert from HDVon tape to DV via the firewire output

yes to the lens question...it is still not clear to me whether i can use existing XL lenses and what will happen to image quality if i do, or if they plan to release a set of HD lenses (what is the advantage of interchangeable lenses, if there are no lenses to switch to?) and if it is compatible with the existing EF adapter and eos lenses...

the consensus is amicable.
 

1. please ask about 24F vs. 24p.

2. interchangeable lense

What would happen if I decide to use the new 20x HD lens with my old Canon XL1?

Backward compatibility: What about batteries, mics, etc?

Yes, same battery, same mic will work. You can also put the new 20X on the older cameras but it will not give the distance readout in the vf nor will you be able to do the back focus adjustment. I was wondering myself whether or not the HD lens on my XL2 would improve the image even more.

-gb-

Can you shoot SD 4:3 and SD 16:9 with this camera

1) Is the $9000.00 set in stone?
2) How about someone who will get into the trenches with the troops on this new camera and the XL2 the way Jan does with the DVX and soon the HVX crowd.

1) Any Auto focus on this baby or all manual like the JVC? Yeah I know, I should not even think of buying this if the novice in me plans to use autofocus.

2) Are you able to downconvert from footage shot in HD to SD resolution like on the Sony?

Thanks

Yes, here's a shot of the AF/MF settings in the menu
http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=351&c=28

and another shot of the AF/MF and focus preset switches on the HD lens
http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=358&c=28

My network card flaked out last night -- limited access now -- more later! Keep those questions coming,

also, (related to the lens question), if/when is there a body only option? (might help the sticker shock to stage in this purchase)....

1. Can we now switch only one audio channel to front mic and the other to input or are we still limited by both audio channels mapped to either front or mic input?

2. is the SDI 8 bit, 10 bit or 12 bit?

3. If some or all of the frames are flagged as progressive will that help the mpeg2 encoder to actually encode as a progressive video?

4. Since it uses the HDV2 1080i format would the SONY HDV deck work with footage from the XLH1 or will there be issues because of the expanded HDV specs?

5. Is the viewfinder/LCD display the same as the XL2 or it higher resolution?

I know these are questions for the product rep, but on another "livestock oriented" forum there was a link stating that the SDI was 10bit. I don't know how true it is, but that's the info I found...

According to this pictures: http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=367&c=28

You can shoot in SD mode in 4:3 and 16:9.

In my opinion this question, along with the lux rating, will make or break the camera.


John

SDI bits
 

30*1920*1080*12*2 = 1.49299e+09 so it's not 12.
30*1920*1080*10*2 = 1.24416e+09 and 30*1920*1080*8*2 =9.95328e+08 so it could be 8 or 10 depending on how much the audio takes and how much overhead (framing, synch, EDAC etc.) is in the stream.

1. From the Canon people on the floor there will be a special HDV version of the Firestore.

2. XL H1 viewfinder/LCD display differs from the XL2
- Color LCD: 2.4" vs 2.0"
- Pixels: 215,000 pixels vs 200,000

3. I asked some of the more technical questions listed, but I'm still waiting on solid answers.

One more thing

Would you guys please, please make Mac software? The Software Developer's kit was bad enough being just for PC, now you release the console software and once again, no Mac version.
Canon always talks of how compatible its camcorders are with the Mac, please don't half-step.
Do something about the software!
Do you have any idea how many people use FCP? I think it goes without saying.
Sorry, that was my rant for the day.

[QUOTE=Michael Wisniewski]1. From the Canon people on the floor there will be a special HDV version of the Firestore.

2. XL H1 viewfinder/LCD display differs from the XL2
- Color LCD: 2.4" vs 2.0"
- Pixels: 215,000 pixels vs 200,000


Any idea if this is backwards compatible with the XL2?

I got a question if it's not too late...

Is there a companion deck forthcoming for this camera, or will the footage work with any previous decks? DV used to be so easy... any DVCAM/DVCPRO 50 deck would play just about anything from anyone... But now, every camera changes the HDV standard just a little and no ones decks work... Grr Arg.

Some subtle, but excellent changes to the viewfinder also:

-Black and white switch
-Flip switch (for 35mm lens adaptor setups)

Great news that they've added some more things. At first, I thought this was a bit lazy using so much of the XL2. But they have definitely added some nice features. $9000 worth? Well...we'll see.

KW

Re: the Control Software

It works with one camcorder at a time. They weren't sure if you could run multiple copies on the same computer. But from what I saw, running more than one copy, would be pretty taxing on the computer.

You can transfer identical settings to multiple H1s wirelessly (10 feet or less) or via the SD card. I imagine we'll see multiple camera operators gathering together to synchronize their H1s before heading out on a mission. (okay everyone synchronize your H1s).

Genlock of course works with multiple cams.

Yes, it will be backward compatible.

I think he was asking of the viewfinder. Is that backwards compatible? Becaus ethe 2.0" one is really more like 1.5" when in 16x9. The new EVF looks to be 16x9 native which means a much larger image.

I'm not quite sure I get what this is... can anyone explain?

I think they're talking about running those mini35 rigs that, while letting you use great lenses, flips the video so that it appears upside down in the viewfinder. Easy to fix in the editing suite, but would admittedly be inconvenient while shooting.

I'm sure someone will chime in with an actual technical explanation.

In any event, its definitely interesting that canon added the feature.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Yes that's exactly what I was mentioning. I've stayed away from these 35mm adapter units so far to see which one emerges as the best unit. But one thing I could not get over was the fact that the image was upside down. Yes, you can buy LCD's that had a "flip" feature, but I already own a monitor and an LCD monitor. I don't want to buy another! So, not only do I like the feature from Canon, but I LOVE what it represents: that these guys are watching what's popular in the marketplace and are trying their best to deliver.

Kevin