Good to hear, thank you for your respons.

Thanks Vasco. Just seen your reply - I was away when you posted it.
I've been trying to get hold of one of these, but no joy so far.
I'll need to post another letter up the chimney (or try some different suppliers).

Excellent thread ! Didn't even have to create a separate post enquiring as to the 521proi's Xh-a1 functionality. God damn, this place is heaven.

521 Proi is Manual Only
 

There are times when I want to use auto focus with my Canon XH-A1. But if I am using the 521 Proi it forces the XH-A1 to work in manual mode even if the camera is set on auto focus.

Did you try "double click" with focus button? It should change focus mode on the camera.

TB

Double Click does nothing.
It doesn't matter which setting Auto Focus or Manual I set my XH-A1 the Manfrotto 521 Proi takes control and Manual is all I get. It will do Instant Focus but quickly back to manual mode.
To make this more confusing.....
I have another XH-A1 with the exact same settings (except customize ones) as the first XH-A1 and I turned the camera to auto focus and plugged in the 521 PROi and it held the auto focus.
Now I don't know if it is the camera or the 521 PROi that is to blame!

Remote Works Wonderfully
 

With the help from Tomasz I learned that to change from MANUAL Focus to AUTO Focus with the remote you must double click QUICKLY.
The Manfrotto 521 Proi has more feature than any other remote I have tried. It is well worth the money and the zoom is smooth without a jerk which makes it far superior to the XH-A1 camera zoom control.

No more cramp and sore backs
 

Just managed to find one of these - its the bees knees! No more 3 hour shoots with my right hand above my head on the XH-A1 zoom toggle!

Re: New LANC remotes from Manfrotto
 

It seems the Manfrotto 521proi has been discontinued. Can anyone tell me what the nearest equivalent is that includes the enhanced firmware for controlling Canon HDV cameras, please? I have an XH-A1s at the moment.