Robert, you forgot to add a "just kidding" to that statement... frankly I couldn't imagine user-replaceable CCD's. Printers can run self-alignment tests, but a self-aligning CCD block? The expense would be prohibitive to say the least!

What I would propose instead is a built-in menu function to mask out hot/dead pixels as they occur.

In my estimation, once the Foveon chips start to hit, 3CCD camcorders will become obsolete anyway. Since the Foveon CCD can actually see color, I imagine the industry will shift to single-CCD Foveons, and I'll bet these will blow away any 3-chip configuration currently available under, say, $10K.

Chris, how far away do you think the Foveon chip is from the prosumer market?

See http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...=&threadid=917 for a discussion thread about this chip... there's a link to some info about a new Sigma digicam using it. I suspect we're still at last a year away from having it in the DV market, but what do I know.

HD?
 

How about a HD chip, sorta like what Victor(called JVC in the states?) is coming up with. Of course that would mean a change in gear all over again. but the pictures could bring up possibilities for the indie market. We'll see how Victor markets their camera.

On closer range enhancements.
definitely a bigger chip for shooting wider angles.
adjustable Viewfinder not only the brightness.
smoother zoom-speed servo. more than 5 steps.

<<<I think if you go native 16:9 that will exclude the current crop of lenses. So, now you're going to have to decide if you want evolutionary growth of the XL1, XL1s or revolutionary change, XL2.>>>>

A tough question when we all (98%) still watch standard definition video,
BUT, having experienced HD first hand, and especially when projected
on the big screen, believe me, you want HD.

With the current track of technology, HD is coming at reasonable prices. Right now, Canon's D60 digital still camera can shoot 3072x2048 images
@ 3 per second in an 8 shot burst. This camera without lens is under $2.2K.
JVC is due out with their HD cam this May for $3500. It isn't too much of
a stretch to imagine a single CMOS chip XL2 that can record HD.

Okay, that's nice but there is always more to think about. When we
had an HD Varicam stop by the video studio, besides the $25K 8" monitor,
there are other issues inherent in HD production.

One of the biggest is monitoring FOCUS. Yes, you may think all is well,
but back focus is critical and needs to be set EVERY TIME you remove the lens. Pro shooters were finding that much of their footage was slightly out when it was brought back and put under close scrutiny.

GLASS. Has *real* glass come down in price? A real lens that can resolve over a thousand lines isn't, and most likely won't be, cheap in the near future . . . if ever.

Another report from the guys doing HD production concerns the PS Tecknik
adapter for HD. The idea being you could use a set of film lens and save some money (if you had a set lying around). Sorry, but because of all that extra resolution, you can see the spinning glass that makes the adapter work . . . argh.

So, I guess the bottom line is, even if you can eventually afford HD, it doesn't
mean it's good HD.

Ah, but I am rambling and will shut up now ;)

I would like a less sensitive thumb trigger and audio levels visible in the EVF.

Wish List fr XL-2
 

setable timecode
Timecode In and Out connectors for shared TC
24fps
fully manual 16x lens with onboard iris
fully manual 3x lens with onboard iris
viewfinder switchable between BW and color
onboard XLR connectors
removable non-tape recording medium
If granting many of the wishes makes the price rise too high, keep making the XL-1s and add the XL-2 as another model rather than as a replacement.

XL-2…
 

For my wish list:

Solid state acquistion: Some form of memory stick. No more mechanical drives.

Digital HD. Variable iris and shutter. Shutter speed up to 50Kframes/sec.

No memory 10 hour battery.

I see I'm 2 days late, and 47 posts short, Chris, but if you're still reading these wishes, it would be wonderful if the EF Adapter would allow autofocus to be transmitted to EOS lenses in an XL-2.
This manual focusing gets old in the 21st century.

Steve Siegel
Miami FL

an inside camera focus wheel for my bad eyes.

Dan O'Bannon

Important -- Please Read!
 

Howdy from Las Vegas,

I have a sudden opportunity here at the PMA show to speak at length to Canon USA's Video Division V.P. about product development. It will be a chance to provide feedback like yours about what you would like to see on a possible next-generation successor to the current XL1S.

My intention is to walk in with a hard-copy print of this complete thread. If you have any other thoughts on this particular topic, to either re-emphasize any previous suggestions already made, or new ideas that haven't been presented here yet, this is your chance!

My appointment is scheduled for Monday evening, 7pm PST. You guys have until then to get your wish-list requests in to this thread before I print it out in entirety and hand it over to the top management of Canon Video. They are interested in what you have to say here. We're already at 50 posts to this thread, let's make it more than a few more and put in your final summaries for what you would seriously like to see in an XL1S successor... feature sets, form factor, backward compatibility, new technologies, whatever... just keep in mind that such a potential camcorder *must* come in at a price point not much higher (preferably same or lower) than what it is now, less than $5000 USD.

Again: here's your chance -- make the most of it in this extremely limited time frame -- and I look forward to putting your ideas directly into the hands of the important people at Canon who can make a difference. This is a very rare opportunity for me to get face-time with a high-level executive who is genuinely interested in this very topic. I want to make it count for you guys. Please take advantage of this and let's sum up the key points we've made and bring up whatever we've forgotten. Your words matter. The time is now -- make it count! Much respect,

Thanks, Chris
 

As I see it, Canon should make their priority keeping the XL line the top dog in prosumer-level digital cinema production. An XL2 should give better resolution (HD if possible) and more progressive-scan frame rate options (15P, 24P, 30P, 60P if possible).

I would prefer the CCD block's image to fill the frame. I would prefer the standard EVF to show the entire scan area.

On the cosmetic side, the things the XL series most has going for it are the glass and the body. Interchangable lenses are a must and the standard lens should be as bug-free as engineering trade-offs allow (back-focus issues reduced as much as possible). The standard mic the XL1s currently carries is just fine for being an on-camera mic.

MiniDV will remain an adequate standard for the next 2-3 years, but if the XL2 is to be a revolution in prosumer-level video gear, it will need an upgraded capture medium. If any camera could introduce a new tape format and make it successful, it would be the successor to the XL1. Replacing the tape transport with a hard disk solution may also be an avenue to consider. (The XL2 could even borrow an idea from the DEVA digital sound recorder and write video data to DVD-ROM during idle periods.) In any case, standard definition prosumer cameras are on their way out, and the XL2 will need to be able to write more data, faster, and with less compression. Along these same lines, support for newer data transfer standards, such as IEEE 1394b, would be most welcome.

The camera should be capable of producing convincing greenscreen mattes, so embracing MPEG compression schemes as the new JVC prosumer HD camcorders do is to be avoided. I wouldn't mind a 4:2:2 chrominance sampling ratio, but I understand if this is beyond the realm of prosumer gear.

I wouldn't mind if the camera's internal image DSP was kept to a bare-bones minimum. The less the camera futzes with the image, the happier I am. I have no use for built-in titling, built-in cheesy film dust/hair/grain.

I would like the options to throw all camera information up on the EVF and video out during shooting, for example, the VU meter, the aperture/shutter specs, etc.

The XL1 series have always been leaders in low-light performance, but I wouldn't mind sacrificing low-light shooting capability for larger, higher-res chips. I really don't care about XL2 footage matching XL1s footage. The XL2's image should be new and wonderful.

On the audio side, I wouldn't mind XLR jacks right on the camera, or at least a good accessory permitting XLR audio input. (Frankly, the MA-100 and MA-200 accessories are a good trade-off. They keep the base price of the camera low but permit an option for those of us requiring good external audio.) I'm content with 2 channels/48 kHz/16 bit audio, but would certainly welcome more channels/faster sampling/bigger dyanmic range and the option to trade off between these during shooting (just as the current XL1 allows for additional channels at the cost of sampling rate).

An XL2's weight should not exceed the weight of the XL1. Better balance on the camera should not come at the expense of a better lens.

With the XL2, Canon has the opportunity to continue the success of the XL1 line and meet the challenges posed by recent offerings from JVC and Panasonic; or, it has the opportunity to make the follow-up to the brave, bold, revolutionary XL1 a mundane consumer camcorder. I fully expect Canon will be looking to the future, not to the present, when considering their design trade-offs.

Change the Audio 1 level controls from the ganged level/balance to two level contols to better support two differnt mics (or make it a use choice - which could be done in this digital age).

And enjoy your visit to Lost Wages.

Chris,

Having just received my Warm Cards, I wondered why these settings can't be offered in-camera. A "Warm Setting"...or perhaps a couple of degrees of warm settings (adding a touch of blue to whatever you're white balancing off of) or dial in, and a "fluorescent" setting (adding some green to what you're white balancing off of).

Since they're just now collecting a wish list, they must be a good two years away from releasing an XL2. Dang. My number one on the wish list will be to release it by next year.

I'd like to put my name along with Robert's recent post. :)

I'd really like a larger viewfinder LCD, and snap focus on a stock lense. those are my two hands-on peeves with my stock XL1s.

I also feel the zoom noise signal is much too loud, I always hear zoom noise on playback. I should not have to invest in extra audio gear (XLR adapters, etc) to ensure clean zoom noise.

Simple for me.
1/2" CCDs. If JVC can make the DV500 in the same price range as the XL1s, with 1/2" CCDs, Canon should be able to put bigger chips in the next incarnation of the XL1 without too much fuss.

Lens: Drop the servo assist on the new lens. If you have to change the lens mounts, that's fine, but I'd like to see a standard industry mount rather than a proprietary one.

Viewfinder: Please, please, give us a crisper viewfinder with better resolution. It doesn't have to be the $1500 B&W one, just better than the current one.

XLR inputs. Everyone else has them.

A "Film Look" mode, where, frame, colour and sharpness settings are pre-tweaked to give a more film-like look. This would be a big hit I think.

My bottom line is, I want a camera that is more PRO and less 'SUMER.
I for one would be happy to see the camera go to more of a shoulder mount design, rather than the hand held. Canon already has the GL2 which can compete in the handheld market. A camera that sits more on your shoulder would be welcomed by many, including me.

<<<-- Originally posted by Dan O'Bannon : an inside camera focus wheel for my bad eyes.

Dan O'Bannon -->>>

In Scott Billups book, Digital Movie Making, page199 there is a focus wheel that works well to focus on but my problem is focusing the view finder to my eye. With this wheel on a menu inside the camera I could focus my eye to the view finder then I would know my subject is "really' in focus.

Thanks, Dan O'Bannon

Remote Control Sensor? B7W View Finder
 

I didn't read all posts so I appologize if someone already posted this request.

I put on my new B&W view finder and was trying to use my remote control and realized it had no sensor eye on it. It would be nice to use the remote in situations when you're interviewing and don't have an extra cameraman.

Thanks, Dan O'Bannon

First of all, Robert has some very good thoughts (DSP etc.).

I ran this through my head a couple of times and this is what I
personally think is important (in order of preference):[list=1][*]allow upgradeable firmware so that problems with lenses
and the device itself can be fixed. Perhaps even new features
can be added over time.[*]keep the same lens mount so that investments in things
like the wide angle lens, manual lens and mini35 adapter etc.
has not been for nothing.[*]harddisk based storage instead of tape.[*]variable FPS (perhaps some presets are good enough, but
it would be great if you could shoot some crisp slow-motion
especially! Besides that, 24 fps would be interesting for us
indepedent movie makers. This will be impossible with the current
DV standard though. Perhaps with a harddisk based medium
Canon can go with an alternate file format. MPEG2 is probably not
a good choice, unless it is only full frames @ high bitrate).[*]a flip-out LCD. Very handy for shots where you are unable to
look through the viewfinder![*]true progressive scan CCD blocks[*]direct analog-to-firewire (this allows you to directly capturing
an analog signal over firewire instead of taping it first. If there is
a harddisk medium this can be dropped since we do not get more
tape ware in that case.)[*]flash (like) card that allows you to store and load settings.
Also please with software to read them in (back them up) and
change settings on the card (like gamma curves and whatnot).
This would be a killer feature!![/list=1]
After this we really get into wishful thinking which will probably
not happen in the current price range, the following add-ons
would be really great:

• larger CCD's with higher resolutions (HDTV)
• even better low-light performance
• built-in XLR inputs
• built-in shoulder mount?
• different levels of ND built into the standard lens

I think it will be almost impossible to stick to the DV format if
Canon wants to be revolutionary and future minded. The format
is to inflexible (from what I understand) to take care of things
like:

• higher/different resolutions
• higher/different framerates

I think this is enough and I'm sure other people will give their
thoughts on the subject.

I want to thank Canon for taking the time to read through our
thoughts on this subject matter and take this matter into
consideration. I'm anxious to see/hear what they have chosen
for a new design.

Thank you!

p.s. Dan, there is still a remote sensor on the back of the camera.
Perhaps you can reach it through a mirror (not a nice solution,
but it should be workable!)?

<<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper :

A "Film Look" mode, where, frame, colour and sharpness settings are pre-tweaked to give a more film-like look. This would be a big hit I think. -->>>

I think Canon would be selling themselves short if they added just one film look setting. I've already suggested a "Virtual Stock" ability which I think would be nicer since it would allow US to tweak the settings.

Can I also suggest perhaps firewire 800 with the ability to record to external hard drive perhaps in 4:2:2 at 24p.

Maybe Canon could make sopme type of accessory mount which would allow us to mount it to the back of the camera

John,

Perhaps they are already quite underway with it but just want
to check on their progress (who knows). Or perhaps they've
built a strong enough DSP that can still incorporate your suggested
features.

We'll keep guessing until they announce the "beast"!

Cheers,

16x9 undistorted
 

It would be nice to look through the view finder, when in 16x9 mode and see what the image will actually look like instead of the distorted look we get now.

Dan O'Bannon

I concur with most of the thoughtful suggestions already offered. I'll throw in the following few items, some of which have already been noted.

1. Maintain backwards compatibility with the XL lenses. Some of us have invested in all of the XL lenses and would not want to see Canon abandon the line.

2. Improve the industrial design of the camera's body. Although the XL1s features a visually distinctive body design it's a very awkward, front-heavy ergonomic design. The camera's assembled center of gravity needs to somehow be shifted back from the elbow and closer to the shoulder. Perhaps this means straightening the body, moving the battery mount to the rear of the camera and extending the hand-hold an inch?

3. If the FU-1000 is to remain the professional b&w viewfinder option for the camera it would be nice to find a way to restore the battery level indicator's functionality while it's in use. This is a very nasty side-effect of the FU-1000's voltage converter.

4. Eliminate that nasty little "black line" frame border problem, as you did with the GL2.

5. If you plan to offer some type of Flash card facility on the XL2 why not make it more useful for semi/professional shooters? For example, it would be very nice to use it as a scene continuity check facility. The user could take a snapshot at the end of a scene and then "onion-skin" that photo (fron the card) onto the live scene when setting-up for the next shot. (This is similar to what Sony offers on its DSR500/570 cameras via their Memory Stick.) Another useful feature would be the ability to store a full range of camera presets onto the card and then restore them.

Thanks very much for considering our suggestions!

HD all the way.

What about two different bodies.
If there are people out there that still want SD then one for HD.
Or make a univeral deck.

Flash cards for settings....great idea.

What about LEP (Light Emiting Polymer) for a screen. I dont know where I read about it but its smaller and more compact than any other type of monitor.

Im sure they at canon can figure out a way to keep the same size tapes and retain higher quality. Sony did it with the Mini disc.

What about creating way to mount any lens. maybe its a recessed adaptor that can be changed out but will allow every type of lens work with just the right adaptor.

Anyways Im not sure about what I would like to see with the new ones. I still really enjoy mine. As long as they push the envelope and set a standard. I wouldnt expext anything less.


Rob:D

PS maybe also Bluetooth enabled, so no need for tape all you need is laptop and a small program that will save the incoming transmition real-time.

Most things have already been mentioned and I guess the main thing Canon need to do, if they want a decent share of the market is to produce something that's revolutionary and not evolutionary. I'm not sure how the new Panny is doing, but now is a prime time to break the mold yet again with the new Canon. They don't alway want to be playing catchup do they?

If there was one thing for Canon to do to revolutionize all DV cameras and come out ahead, I would say it would be to use hard disk based storage instead of the traditional tape. Then there is no rewinding or fast forwarding and you could play any clip or shot in a second’s notice. This would also allow for the "onion skin" mentioned in Ken's post and transfers to your NLE would be much faster and easier. The possibilities would be endless. It would need to be very well designed and thought out for everything to work smoothly.

Has anyone mentioned a time-lapse feature? I glanced quickly through all four pages...so if it's already mentioned, my apologies.

Scott, yeah that would be amazing. I've often wondered why companies haven't released a dv sized HD that acts like a tape. Pop it into normal dv cameras but you get all that space, and speed. Remove it and plug your firewire cable into it and voila. Obviously there is more to it than I think but it would be awesome to have something like that. I guess all the usual things like bit depth, ccd size, 16:9 etc will be hard to fit into a sub $5k camera.

I wonder what Canon's profit margins are for the XL1s? Could the make it narrower to achieve acceptance?

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Tesh : <<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper :

A "Film Look" mode, where, frame, colour and sharpness settings are pre-tweaked to give a more film-like look. This would be a big hit I think. -->>>

I think Canon would be selling themselves short if they added just one film look setting. I've already suggested a "Virtual Stock" ability which I think would be nicer since it would allow US to tweak the settings.
-->>>

I must have skimmed over your post. Yes, the "Virtual Stock" thing is what it needs.

What about if this new camera used the new Four Thirds system (4/3) so that you could use lenses made by anyone on it?

Just a thought. I don't know whether or not Canon will embrace this new system.

I'd like to see some of digital still camera features incorporated into the XL series. More white balance presets, flouro, warm, or even just temp settings: 2800k, 3200k, 5600k, user selectable in steps of 50k, etc. This would make balancing with commercially available lights much easier.

Selectable format would be nice, PAL/NTSC, as well as selectable languages. This would make it much easier for people like myself who travel between PAL and NTSC countries to work. As my camera is PAL it makes it difficult for me to do much more than just web work here in Japan.

Bigger chips would be nice but as that would mean new lenses then I can live with 1/3". True 16:9 that masks to 4:3 would go a long way as would some way of taking a feed straight off the chips. Sony has an acc. that does this for the PD-10 (it think that was the camera) and it wouldn't be difficult to incorporate a simple plug to accomodate this kind of adapter.

The stock mic is ok but maybe something a little more directional would be nice.

The final thing would be to sell the camera just like an SLR system. That way customers could choose the configuration that best suits their needs.

Just as Rob did, I'd like to thanks Canon for taking the time to talk to Chris and listen to what the users want. I've been using Canon cameras for a long time and it's things like this that keep me continuing to use the EOS/XL range.

Support for native 16:9.

Continuing with the current lens family. Like Dylan I would like to see a standard lens mount, but I would still rather continued support for current lens system.

A better more usable EVF. The EVF should show more of the entire frame.

No resolution loss in frame or progressive scan.

Drop digital still capabilities. By gosh, this is a camcorder, not a still cam!

4-track audio at 16 bit resolution. Hey we can ask can't we?

HD. If we wanna think big, think big.

Hi gang and Canon engineers,

IMO, we can ask for the world, but there are certain aspects that will
eliminate features simply because of cost and physics. Therefore,
I think there are two paths for Canon to pursue.

***PATH #1: Update existing XL1 (Evolution)***

Having experienced the Panasonic Varicam HD camcorder in person and seen
the Panasonic DVX100's output, I think Panasonic is on the right path.
Okay, so the question is; how do you make a better (than Panasonic) NTSC/PAL mouse trap?

The DVX100 has 1/3rd inch CCDS and it's image is pretty nice.
I don't know what else is available for Canon
to license/use, but I would love MUCH MORE resolution than is provided by the XL1s,
so at the _very least_, I would go with the progressive scan 1/3" Panasonic CCDs.

A better viewfinder is key. Pack as many pixels into it as possible, at least double
what is there now. What you see is the _whole_ image, with the choice for adding
4x3 TV (underscan) and 4x3 title safe boxes (different colors), 16x9 whole and 16X9
underscan. All of these boxes at the same time if you want.

You can output zebra to composite or s-video jack.

Better low light handling. The XL1 should be able to go head to head with a VX2000 and have a signal just as clean or cleaner.

Better handling of contrast ala JVCs 12 bit processing, maybe with the ability to hard limit the whites so you don't have to crush the blacks in direct sunlight.

Memory stick for:
-Multiple (10-100) individual/situational camera settings (& quick call back)
-"Bug" insert(s)
-Scene (matching/onionskin) overlay
-Still image capture. (Still capture should be much higher than NTSC resolution if possible.)

Smooth iris dial at thumb, NOT stepped.

True time lapse: 1 frame capture (not a second(s) or more) at
intervals from .5 second to an hour (or more).

Color gamma choices like the DVX100.

Real SMPTE bars and 1K test tone output/record to tape.

Recording flavors (like DVX100)
-24 & 25 fps straight, 24 & 25 fps with pulldown,
-30 FPS
-NTSC 60i and PAL 50i. (Swiss army knife recording)
-60 FPS would be nice for real slo mo.

SDI uncompressed ITR-601 NTSC or PAL output during acquisition.

Timecode in and out of various recording flavors and/or time code
record track.

Scene/shot recall. Takes you back to the beginning of last shot.
Also numbers shots/trigger presses. Mark shot good, bad and questionable.

External analog video/audio input to output via firewire (instant transcode).

Motion sensor (variable trigger level) to toggle camera into record (wildlife baiting).

Better audio filtering. Get analog to digital filters that compare with a high end DAT machine.
Built in audio digital processing compressor/super hard limiter (Manual adjustment)L.
Ability to take mic level, -10dbv and +4dbv inputs without distortion
(No need for external pads).
Maybe 24bit 96K sampling as an option.
XLR inputs with Phantom power option.

More powerful headphone amp.

Ability to lock on record (cannot accidentally be turned off).

Ability to set two focus lengths and the time it takes to rack between
those two focus set points.

Two firewire 6 pin sockets for daisy chaining.


***PATH #2: XL1HD (Revolution and this is a REAL PIPE DREAM)****

Steal the guts out of the Panasonic Varicam
and put it into a a small camera body,
except use a single (or 3) super high res. CCD(s) that work
with 35mm Canon EOS glass without "issue."
This would include auto focus, etc.

Choices of camera _Record and Output_ flavors:
-Variable frame rate 720P HD @ 8bit recording just like the
Varicam w/ 4-60 FPS choice.
-24fps NTSC with pulldown (DVX100 style)
-Regular NTSC and PAL SD.
-SDI uncompressed 10bit SMPTE 292M (720P) HD _output_ during acquisition.

Audio Record Choices :
-8 tracks 16 bit 48 KHZ delivered via TDIF or ADAT optical input/output.
-4 tracks at 20 bit 48KHZ,
-2 tracks at 24bit 96 KHZ via 2 really nice mic preamps
-2 tracks at 1.25MHZ.

Viewfinder: Super dense and bright OLED (switch between B&W or color).

Wireless video transmitter built in for outboard monitor or for use with optional OLED helmet/glasses viewfinder.
(To be used in outdoor applications without the problems caused by ambient light corruption.)
User can choose to output zebra to this feed at 80, 90, 100% levels.

Wireless remote ability (Bluetooth?): Can control all camera settings
and functions including and zoom and focus for EOS lens.
(yes, hardware accessory required for zoom and focus okay with me Canon).

Motion sensor (adjustable) to trigger record, and then to stop recording after user preset time.

Scene/shot recall. Takes you back to the beginning of last shot.
It also numbers shots/trigger presses. Can also mark shots good, bad and
questionable.

Memory stick for:
-multiple (10-100) individual/situational camera settings (w/ quick call back).
-"Bug" insert(s)
- Scene (matching/onionskin) overlay.
-Still image capture. (Still capture should be higher than HD resolution if possible.)
-Overscan, underscan, title & action safe, and film aspect ratios colored boxes.

Smooth iris dial at thumb, NOT stepped.

Time lapse: 1 frame capture (NOT a second or more) at intervals from .5 second
to an hour (or more).

Timecode in and out with all the TC record choices (see video flavors)

Magic wand to hold all shots perfectly still or move with
steadicam fluidity and correct camera framing following the
shot the director/cameraman sees in his/her head ;)

Wow -- some excellent responses! This thread remains open (always will be), so keep it coming. There's a little more time as I'm giving a hard copy to CUSA at 4:00pm PST Tues. March 4th.

This one is too late... but I just thought of REAL timecode in/out..
Don't know if anyone else mentioned that....

Okay folks, here's what has happened. I got my face-time with Canon Video management and the wish list was very well received with keen interest. Thanks to all you guys for contributing all of these wonderful ideas.

I have no new product info for you at this time and even if I did, I'm legally bound by NDA not to divulge it. But it's safe to say that all of your input is very valuable to them and they are reading and listening. Hard copies of this list went into their hands and they greatly appreciate all the feedback you continue to provide.

The meeting was long and formal, lots of people involved and I briefly had the floor only one time. I used that opportunity to voice two primary issues that have always been of high importance to me personally, and I hope they're important to you too.

First, I asked CUSA for an enhanced and much more pro-active involvment in their XL owner's club. In my opinion it is a superb concept that has not yet been utilized to its fullest potential. With a simple re-allocation of existing human resources, that program could go much farther than it already has in solidifying a mutually beneficial relationship between Canon and its end-user customers. Although this is currently a U.S. program only, it should be a global implementation among the major video markets around the world. No other camcorder manufacturer has such a program that I'm aware of; CUSA already has the structure in place and should leverage it ten times beyond what it is now.

The second thing I asked for is to establish an online presence by CUSA technical representatives to interact with the user base (all of you wonderful people) in a safe-haven flame-free environment (this one, specifically). JVC has Ken Freed and Panasonic has Jan Crittenden who post at least semi-regularly on the internet to answer pre-sales and post-sales questions with the clout and credibility of their brands backing them up. Canon should do the same, but to a greater degree. CUSA management and their technical staff already have a solid reputation of instant accessibility at all the major trade shows; and they are to be applauded for that. However for every potential customer going to a trade show to research a camera purchase decision, there are at least twenty more who can't go. Canon already monitors this board; if they turned their presence here into an active one by engaging in our informative technical discussions, their regular participation would be helping their own marketing strategy to an even greater degree than it would help us end-users who are asking questions of them in the first place. Case in point: Canopus Corporation, who have secured an outstanding market position almost solely by virtue of the readily available online accessibility of their product managers. Canon needs to aggressively pursue this model in a way that would hopefully shame JVC and Panasonic into doing the same thing. Let's just say I believe in that kind of customer-to-manufacturer dialog. Not by email, but by archived message board, right here for everyone to review.

Whew! I feel like I made the same plea all over again. At any rate, this wish-list thread is still relevant, so by all means keep it flowing. Much respect,

Yup, timecode in/out PLUS different flavors depending on record format AND a
timecode record track so that you could have internal and also record external timecode (like house sync or master TC).

I wish...

That the XL2 will keep its open architecture i.e. able to bolt on so many 3rd party and 1st party accessories to it. I have not come across a camera in this price range which has so many options and was one of the main reasons for purchasing the camera.

A better shoulder support than the one which already comes with it.

Thanks,

Ed Smith

For all those who wish for better shoulder support in the next generation XL1,
check out the MARzPAK handheld camera support system that is available today.
Far better than any shoulder brace IMO.

http://www.marztech.com

Disclaimer: I am the co inventor.

Great, but...

Does it come free with the XL1/s or 2? I don't think so. Surely Canon can create a better shoulder brace for the XL2!!!

Cheers,

Ed Smith