Yep, and mine still DOES :)

I'm confused now. I don't own an XL2, but for "Microphone Terminal" in the XL2 specs on Canon's site, it says "3.5mm stereo mini-jack unbalanced -55 dBv (Auto), -67 dBv (Manual/Vol Max)/600 ohms."

Yes, there are 4 mic connections altogether.. The 'front mic' uses a 2.5 and 3.5 mm jack for its connector. It's a stereo mic, and I guess the connectors work like a polarized AC plug. It can only go in one way because of the 2 sizes of connectors.

On the back end of the camera, at the base of it, there is a pair of XLR mic level (not line level) input jacks..

The XL2 can record all 4 inputs simultaneously. One of the few cameras that can, to 4 separate tracks. It does this at 12 bit/32kHz though, vs the higher quality 16 bit/48kHz of standard recordings.

You can also use an adapter from Canon on the front mic jack to connect 2 more XLR mics. So theoretically you could record 4 professional XLR mics into 4 separate tracks without needing a separate mixer for level control. There are meters on the LCD display on the left side of the camera body, as well as in the viewfinder, and they can also be output via the tv output jacks (composite RCA, BNC and S-Video).

So the answer is both.. It's a floor wax AND a dessert topping! ;)

I'm not sure what you mean by "true ground". The ground on the 1/8" is just as "true" as the XLR one. What the 1/8" jack is missing is the noise cancellation properties of a balanced signal. I'm also not sure what you mean by "heat".[/QUOTE]


sorry Brett, those are ol skool terms. I was referring to true ground as having the 3 pins, all metal. 1/8 or 1/4 jacks have that plastic or sealent around the ring that tend to burn up. cracking and then allowing the jack to move. if the metal touches another metal, then you get degradation in your sound. sound is an energy, heat, so the louder the gain the more heat. some manufacturers sealent or plastic rings can be sub standard, causing them to seperate thus giving off burn loss, which is a decline in decibals(.5) its an ol tale that can be disputed, however, in the 80's feild recording was also monitored through spectral analyzers which showed the level loss or difference in the wave. I know this is not much of a problems nowadays with digital and all, but when i see a input with minijacks it makes me cringe. 1/4 although bigger still gives me no more comfort. I have an audio digital recorder with xlr inputs that i use to capture the entire project on site so I can mix it seperatley. I did chooes to buy the xl1s could find a decent dv300u. also, whats a good dum hr ratio? im clueless!

Sam,
I've owned a Canon GL1 and a Canon XL2. The XL2 is a fantastic camera and has everything you want. You can get a clean used XL2 on this forum for around $2300 (maybe less). I sold mine 3 months ago for $2400.
I now shoot with a Canon XLH1, a Sony FX1 and a Canon HV10. I HIGHLY reccomend the FX1. The image is beautifull, it's real 16:9 (or 4:3), and you can shoot in standard or HD. The 24 and 30 frame rates are questionable,but some people use them. I shoot in 60i and de interlace if I need to. You can probably get a clean used FX1 for $2200. You'd also need a beachtek box that's another $160 or so.
I'd try to put together a few more bucks and gret yourself a camera like the XL2 or FX1.
Good luck
Bruce Yarock
www.yarock.com

Btw, I'm originaly from Waterbury. i worked near Seasid Park a coulple of summers installing school furniture at the university of Bridgeport (many years ago).
Bruce S. Yarock
www.yarock.com

I just saw a PD170 on B&H's site, for $2000, with only 70 hours on the drum.

Ive got a friend who is selling his DVC 30 if you are interested in a semi used cam. it is in great shape.

Thanks.................email me at planetstudio@sbcglobal.net

Sam, being the sound guy you are, I knew you would probably jump all over that adapter issue....And for critical sound you are probably going to do separate recording anyway.... But the Beachtech has solve the problem for many without serious issues. And I wonder if the "pipeline" from the XLR inputs on an equiped camera is any better than that 8 inches on my adapter.... Assuming good contact with the plug, maybe not....

I've had the Sign Video XLR Pro for about 2 years and have had great results with a Canon ZR70 with it. I'm not sure if the Beachtek has any other features, but I can attest to this one working very well.

http://signvideo.com/xlr-pro_xlr_ada...udio-mixer.htm

I've seen this design on documentaries on TV, and with local news stations in the Orlando area as well. There seem to be a few companies producing a similar design and I don't know who invented it originally.

It doesn't provide phantom power, but it's clean and quiet and can also combine 1 XLR and 1 1/8" jack into each output channel (or switch it to mono). So technically you could have 4 sources plugged into here, mixed to 2 outs, and then 2 more XLR's on the back of the camera, recorded to 2 or 4 tracks.

A dedicated multitrack recorder might be a better route when you start combining that many sources, or at least a dedicated audio mixer and engineer to combine everything properly.

But, it can be done, which is the cool thing anyway.

Eric

Yep, I did jump.......i'm such a sucker! PIPELINE? are you trying to test me chris? LOL. I guess since i'm not fully aware of all the adapter specs and really not aware at all Im a lil shaky. The good thing is that I can ask here, in this forum, where(sob) newbies like me(sob) can ask questions and get (sob) decent answers. (yes, I am a live one). Assuming I get a cam that will need a beachtech, I will have to trust the video gods. but all it will take is 1 lil issue and I will oscilliscope the hell out of the freq to check if the x axis does not relate to the y axis and if there is a difference between the waves............ aw fuggheddaboutttit! I'll just trust ya!

What????????????no phanton? how dare you suggest that eric!

I know! But then again, it's $100 less than the Beachtek Phantom powered units, and $20 less than the equivalent Beacktek models. :P

Thanks for that eric.....checking the link now(surfing)...............

There's a Panasonic DVC80 being offered (asking $1100) in the classifieds here, by a member who posts regularly. That might be worth considering (3-1/3" CCDs and has built in XLR).

Dvx?
 

I've seen alot of cameras mentioned but just curious why no mention of the dvx100a? It offers XLR, 24p etc. Would it fit your requirements? I will be selling one in great shape very soon.

sorry guys, I was out this weekend looking for cams. Thanks for the info rob, but, i cant see the post yet(newbie) can you link me to him? planetstudio@sbcglobal.net also, is that a good cam? I mean, I guess coming from you it would be(ass kissing). Also, if anyone needs to reach me about the post for cams, you now have the address. I am also looking at a vx2100 from BH.