Note: Updates to this article will appear periodically.



The Canon XL H1 High Definition Camcorder is a professional 1080i HD camera truly designed for Professional Broadcast, ENG, Documentary or Reality TV production. For Independent Filmmaking, Canon has included extensive Cine controls and the ability to capture at 24 Frame shooting mode.

The XL H1 is very rugged and solidly constructed with a professional black color theme. The camera features a flexible "open architecture" design, allowing for a variety of custom camera configurations and various applications for those working with High Definition video - Broadcast and Film . Its' Top 5 features are:

1. PROFESSIONAL HD-SDI:
Uncompressed 1080/60i 4:2:2 HD-SDI output at 1.485 Gbps.
That's right. 1.485 Gbps. This will allow for multi-format external HD recording to HDCAM, DVCPRO HD, and non-linear systems like a Final Cut Studio suite outfitted with an Aja Kona 2 card, for example.

2. NEWLY DEVELOPED High Definition Lens:
20x HD L/SR OIS lens (5.4mm-108mm, f/1.6-f/3.5, 72mm filter size) with Super Range Optical Image Stabilization. This is not the same lens as on the XL2, it is a newly-designed HD lens for the XL H1, and in working with it, it is simply beautiful.

3. THREE 1.67megapixel 16:9 Native CCDs
1440 x 1080 effective, selectable capture of 24 Frame or 30 Frame (24F, 30F or 60i) The XL H1 is a genuine 1080i HD camera offering three 1/3” interlaced 1.67megapixel 16:9 native CCD’s that capture images at the industry standard 1080i resolution. The actual CCD capture is 1440x1080 effective capture (same effective capture as HDCam) as opposed to only 960x1080 effective capture found on some competing HDV camcorders. Independent filmmakers take note: The XL H1 does indeed do 24fps in what Canon calls 24 Frame as it is 1080i. The actual CCD capture is selectable at either 24 or 30 frames per second for three selectable frame rate choices: 24 Frame, 30 Frame or 60i. (25 fps in Europe).

4. NEWLY DEVELOPED DIGIC DV II Image Processor
The XL H1 also sports the newest version of Canon’s proprietary Digic processor – DIGIC DVII. This is a Canon exclusive technology which is available in every shooting mode. Designed by Canon engineers from the ground up for photography, this is the same CPU technology which empowers Canon's digital still cameras - now available in the XL H1.

5. PROFESSIONAL JACK PACK:
Gen-Lock (input), TimeCode (input /output), HD-SDI BNC (Component, S-Video and Composite also included). Think low-cost High Definition multi-cam production in tandem with Final Cut Studio.

Let's take a closer look at this professional 1080i HD camera.

Rounding out the Top 10 Features:

6. “CONSOLE” SOFTWARE APPLICATION:
Professional external Camera Control (CCU) including precision color picker color adjustment with numeric RGB values, Direct To Hard Disk Recording (Windows XP, SP 2), Waveform/ Vectorscope, Live vs. Recorded Capture comparison function. Wow!

7. HIGH RESOLUTION LCD/ EVF
Switchable to Black & White mode, Native 16:9 aspect ratio (4:3 capable in SD DV Mode), Peaking Control, Numeric Readouts of both Focus and Zoom, Zebra Control.

8. SIX (6) IMAGE CUSTOM PRESETS
Manually adjustable internally with the ability to store/ share up to 20 Presets onto SD Card. The ability to dial in precisely the color temperature for White Balance (warmer/ cooler, etc) is included!

9. STILL IMAGE CAPTURE to SD CARD
This allows full HD resolution still image capture (1920x1080) with full Custom Preset control and lens functionality. Capable of storing all camera Preset settings as metadata with each still image. Great for Pre-production, Storyboarding, Continuity & Post-production. Nice!!!

10. PAL COMPATIBILTY UPGRADE OPTION
Upgrade performed directly by Canon USA, for those who might need PAL functionality (25F, 50i)

UNCOMPRESSED 10-bit 1080i HD-SDI OUTPUT (SMPTE 292M)
The XL H1 HD camera outputs industry standard uncompressed 10-bit 1080i via a professional digital HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M) BNC connector. This is a real uncompressed digital 10-bit, 4:2:2 1920x1080 signal. The HD-SDI output is at 1.485 Gbps! No need to purchase an additional analog to digital signal converter as required with some other competing cameras. This is a first at this price point. This signal is easy to interface with most any NLE platform that offers HD-SDI capture capability. The XL H1 also offers Standard Definition capture at 24 Frame, 30 Frame or 60i in either native 16:9 or 4:3 as well. It is important to note that if capturing in Standard Definition (SD) DV, the video signal is also output via the SDI BNC connector as industry standard SD-SDI.

The XL H1 also offers Component Video output in both HD and SD capture modes via the rear D-Terminal connector. A component RGB cable is included, which plugs into the D-Terminal. S-Video and Composite Video connectors are also provided for monitoring a signal on a Standard Definition monitor.

HDV RECORDING CAPABILITY
Aside from being a professional grade 1080i HD camera, the XL H1 also offers the user the ability to record HD video or SD video onto HDV Master recording media or Mini-DV tapes. A standard 4-pin IEEE1394 FireWire connector is included on the XL H1 for ingesting HDV1080i or SD material into an IEEE1394-equipped NLE. It should be noted that XL H1 users can also digitally ingest HDV1080i or SD material into their NLE’s via the SDI connector of the XL H1, provided that their NLE is equipped with either an HD-SDI (or SD-SDI for Standard Definition).  The Component video connector on the XL H1 may also be utilized to output HDV1080i or SD.

NEW CANON 20x XL HD-RESOLUTION VIDEO LENS
Featuring Canon’s XL mount, the new Canon 20x XL HD lens offers a focal range comparable to 38.9-778mm in 35mm still photography. Canon’s most-effective Super Range Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is included. This lens is completely different as compared to the older 20x XL lens of the XL2 in that the optics have been re-designed to allow for the significantly higher resolution and image demands of the HD1080i format. The XL H1 allows for manual adjustment of the back flange of the lens by the user, in addition to auto adjustment.

PROFESSIONAL TIMECODE I/O and GEN-LOCK
High Definition Multi-camera production will be a breeze with the Canon XL H1. The XL H1 offers industry standard SMPTE Time Code Input and Output connectors to easily enable jam-syncing in the field or studio. Gen-Lock synchronization is also provided. Broadcast Engineers will certainly appreciate this feature!

TOTAL CINE CONTROL
Extensive Cine control is provided on the XL H1: 3 color matrixes, 2 cine gammas and adjustable: knee, black stretch, setup level, master pedestal, horizontal detail, coring, sharpness, noise reduction, color gain, hue and master color adjustments. Six (6) internal Custom Presets are offered and are fully manually adjustable by the user. The Custom Preset menu structure has been grouped together into one page for easy and intuitive navigation and actual numeric values are shown for each setting. An SD Card slot is provided on the XL H1 to allow for storing (or sharing) up to 20 additional manually adjustable Custom presets.

HIGH RESOLUTION LCD VIEWFINDER
As with the XL2, the XL H1 sports a high resolution EVF. The eyepiece tube can be flipped upwards to reveal a 16:9 NATIVE 210K pixel color LCD panel for "handycam-style" shooting. When shooting in 4:3 SD DV capture mode, the LCD can also resolve the image in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The LCD is very accurate color-wise and can be easily set to operate in Black & White mode as well. Zebra stripes can be displayed to assist in preventing overexposure of the image. A Peaking control is included, allowing for easy focusing. These controls can be quickly turned on/off via a Custom Key. To further enhance critical focusing, the image in the LCD can be expanded or zoomed into at a moments notice. One very handy feature: the LCD can be set to numerically display the zoom setting (0-99) and the focus setting can be displayed numerically in either feet or meters. Camera assistants will certainly appreciate this feature as it will absolutely facilitate precise and repeatable focus and zoom control.

STILL IMAGE RECORDING
The XL H1 also offers the flexibility to capture still images at full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) with all of the Custom Preset settings and advantages of the new 20x XL HD lens. One very smart feature: the XL H1 can store all of the camera custom settings with each image. This will certainly come in handy for pre-production, storyboarding, continuity and post-production applications. Images and metadata are stored to an SD card when placed into the built-in SD Card slot of the XL H1. You may capture standard stills to tape as well.

EXTERNAL CAMERA CONTROL VIA "CONSOLE" SOFTWARE
Utilizing Canon's proprietary software application Console, users can externally control the XL H1 from a laptop or desktop PC using Windows XP. Keep your fingers crossed for Mac OS X compatibility in the near future. Full control over all Recording Modes, Exposure Modes, Custom Presets, Focus, Zoom, etc. A Waveform and Vectorscope monitor is also displayed within the application. Canon's software engineers have thought of everything here; even a unique "color picker" is provided within the application to allow for very precise color control including numeric RGB values! Even Direct To Computer Hard Disk Recording is provided! Full external control - think of this application as if it were an External Camera Control Unit (CCU) with built-in Hard Disk Recording, Waveform/ vectorsope and live shading/ color control capability! Available in Decmber 2005, trial versions of Canon Console will be available at www.canondv.com and will expire after 14 days or 20 trials. The software retails for $599.

PAL UPGRADE OPTION
XL H1 users who actually have a need for PAL compatibility will be able to have the XL H1 upgraded by Canon USA for an optional $499 fee. With the installed upgrade, users will simply need to reboot the camera into either NTSC or PAL Mode, depending upon their needs. In PAL mode, the frame rates available are 25 Frame and 50i. Nice option for those who might have the need for PAL.

Main Feature List
HD RESOLUTION WITH ADJUSTABLE FRAME RATES

• 1080i
• 60i, 30F, 24F

PROFESSIONAL JACKPACK

• HD-SDI & SD-SDI (out)
• Gen-lock (in)
• SMPTE Time Code (in/out)

20x HD VIDEO LENS WITH SUPERIOR CANON OPTICS

• 38.9 - 778mm (in 35mm photography)
• Super-Range Optical Image Stabilizer (featuring Canon's Vari-Angle Prism)
• Focus and Zoom Presets
• Built-in Neutral Density Filters (1/6, 1/32)

IMAGE SENSORS

• 3 - 1/3", 16:9 CCDS
• 1.67M pixels each (1440 x 1080 effective)

TOTAL CINE CONTROL

• 2 cine gamma
• 3 color matrixes
• Adjustable: knee, black stretch, horizontal detail, coring, sharpness, noise reduction, color gain, hue, and master color adjustments (R, G, B, R-G, R-B, G-R, G-B, B-R, B-G)
• H Detail Frequency (H/M/L), H/V Detail Balance (+9/-9)

DIGIC DV II IMAGE PROCESSOR

• HD DSP for video and stills

STILL IMAGE RECORDING / SD CARD SLOT

• 1920 x 1080 pixels (up to 5fps)

ELECTRONIC VIEWFINDER

• 2.4", 16:9 Combination EVF/LCD
• Safe Area Marking
• Aspect Ratio Guides
• B/W mode
• Zebra Pattern (70-100 IRE)
• H/V EVF flip
• Focus Help (Peaking, Magnifying)
• Distance Readout System (feet/meters, using 20x HD Video Lens)

CUSTOM PRESETS AND CUSTOM KEYS

• 6 Custom Presets
• 2 Custom Keys

FLANGE BACK ADJUSTMENT

• Auto flange back ajustment
• Manual flange back adjustment

SMPTE COLOR BARS (WITH 1 KHZ REFERENCE TONE)

CLEAR SCAN

SKIN DETAIL

AUDIO

• 4 Channel Recording with Independent Level Controls
• DV (Locked/Unlocked)

CONNECTIONS

• 2 XLR (line/mic level) inputs with phantom power (+48V)
• BNC Video
• Component Video
• S-Video
• Composite Video
• IEEE1394
• Mic Terminal (3.5mm)
• Headphone terminal (3.5mm)
• LANC terminal

CUSTOMIZED 60i/50i VIDEO MODE (OPTIONAL)

• Customize your XL H1 to record in both NTSC and PAL
• This optional upgrade must be performed by a Canon Service Center

Stay tuned as we will be updating this article continuously throughout the week, including info on Canon's new Console software that is available only for the XL H1 High Definition Camcorder, plus more up-close observations on the camera.

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Donald Berube is a co- founder of noisybrain. Productions, LLC, a collaborative of established filmmakers who share the vision of creating compelling storytelling using the new tools for digital cinema. Don is world-traveled with over two decades of production and editing credits on public and network television. Donald is a Director of Photography skilled in various SD and HD acquisition formats and is crafting a series of modules on the story of Formatt Filters UK. Donald is presently collaborating with wildlife filmmaker Art C. Smith on a documentary about changes taking place within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Donald can be contacted at .