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Mar 28, 2007
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Solid images, features from new Canon HDV camcorder
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by Chuck Gloman
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Canon has received plenty of praise for its first HDV camcorder, the XL H1. It can expect similar accolades for the XH A1 and the XH G1, less expensive additions to its HDV lineup.
The A1 lists for $3,999. The G1 is identical to the A1 except it includes the professional "JackPack" BNC connections for SD/HD-SDI output, genlock for multi-camera sync, and dedicated SMPTE time code. The G1 lists for $6,999, which is a big jump in price for the additional connectivity, so be sure you need it before you buy it.
The A1 is small in size but has a professional look and is loaded with promising features. Starting from the inside out, the XH A1 has three 1/3-inch 1440x1080 CCDs with 1.56 million effective pixels for HDV shooting, which is more than Sony's HVR-Z1U (1.07 million effective pixels). The large sensors mean sharp pictures with true-to-life color.
Glass And Gadgets
Also helping with the image quality is Canon's unique Fluorite lens, which has very low dispersion and is highly transparent. The 20x zoom goes from a semi-wide 4.5mm to a very telephoto 90mm (which translates to 32.5-650mm in 35mm cameras).
The focus ring keeps turning forever (unlike real lenses that have a stop on infinite and macro), but it does have a nice feel. Directly behind is the zoom ring, which can be used while the toggle zoom is activated. On the Z1, if you want to use the zoom ring, you have to de-activate the push button toggle.
My favorite feature on the lens is a real F-stop ring. The only thing better would have the actual F-stops printed on it, but this is still a giant step forward. I will never miss the little joy wheels on most camcorders that let you scroll through your iris. Like a professional camera, you can control your iris actually on the lens, but there is no "stop" at F1.8 (full open) or F16 (full closed).
The other new feature on the lens is a small hole in the lens hood allowing the Auto Instant Focus (AIF) sensor to operate. It eliminates the usual constant hunt for a sharp focus by rolling the focus back and forth endlessly. This is the best and fastest auto focus I have used, though it's still not perfect (more on that later). The A1 also includes an effective image stabilizer.
Behind the lens are two ND filters, a 1/6 and 1/32; a position preset switch, which can also be found on the XL2; a manual/auto focus button that you might actually be tempted to leave in auto; and the established Canon dial for access to operational features.
The 2.8-inch flip-out LCD panel is a little different in that it must be released first, slide toward the left, then rotated to face you. It covers the internal speaker, microphone attenuation switch, and your white balance presets. The viewfinder is normally color but may be switched to black-and-white for those critical focusing shots.
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| The XH A1's built-in 20x zoom lens features an F-stop ring, Auto Instant Focus, and image stabilization. |
On the handle above the LCD panel, a flip-up door hides the SD card controls as well as the VCR functions (exactly like the GL2), plus a zoom control, photo capture button, and hot shoe.
The stereo microphone rests up front with a holder for an optional shotgun microphone, which I recommend using because the internal microphone picks up too much noise behind you. One nice feature is that the internal microphone at the front of the camera has its own built-in shock mount.
This is the first HDV camcorder I have seen that uses an internal battery. Slide the open switch to the left and the door drops down so you can insert a battery or AC power adapter. (A small "doggie door" allows the AC cable to stick out while the door is closed.) To the right are your FireWire port, headphone jack, AV I/Os, and an SDI component multi-pin output neatly covered with a plastic door.
The other side of the camera features a real BNC output that lives behind a plastic cap, zoom speed dial, and cassette compartment. Two XLR inputs with access switches finish out the side. Plugging in an external microphone to one of the XLR inputs lets you have that signal on both audio channels, but you can't record your internal microphone on one channel while an external mic is plugged into an XLR.
Tapeless Options
The A1 I reviewed came with a FOCUS Enhancements FS-C Portable DTE Recorder. The unit is available with a 60 GB hard drive ($1,395 list) that records more than four hours of HDV or a 100 GB hard drive that can hold up to seven hours of footage ($1,999 list). I reviewed an earlier version of the FireStore (see Government Video, November 2005), and this one is very similar though it has a larger hard drive. The same things I liked and disliked about the other remain.
I still recommend shooting on tape and using the FS-C as a backup recorder, because you still have no way of knowing if the signal is making its way into the FS-C and the LCD screen offers no playback capability. When you get to the editing phases, however, the FS-C can be connected directly to your computer and the files are ready to be accessed -- no digitizing required.
I also received the software program Console version 1.1, which allows ENG-type control of your A1 by a laptop via FireWire. Much like Ulead's DV Rack HD, Canon's Console is more expensive ($599) but offers more features. The menus are easy to navigate without reading the manual, and the default features five screens (waveform monitor/vectorscope, custom preset, camera control, focus assist, and video monitor). Each monitor image may be sized and moved at your whim.
Camera control allows you to record directly to your computer's hard drive. It tells you how much time you have left as well as your recording history. Your files may be captured in either AVI or MPEG-2. The waveform monitor/vectorscope has all of the same features as a hardware equivalent, and it's a big help on location for properly adjusting your levels.
The custom preset is my favorite feature, allowing total control of your image through color gain and phase, sharpness, setup, pedestal, horizontal and vertical detail, black, knee, coring, and RGB gain. Of course, you can control all of these features from your menu on the camera, but a FireWire cable now lets you configure your camcorder on a larger laptop screen instead of the small LCD panel.
Production Notes
The XH A1 shoots 1080i/60, 1080i/30, and 1080i/24 in addition to SD (DV). The camera will downconvert either squeezed or letterbox through the FireWire to SD, which is something Canon's flagship XL H1 can't do. However, if you shoot in 24f, you must use the camcorder as your VTR, because other HDV decks will not read true 24f (no 3:2 pull-down here).
So, how did the A1 work in the field? I shot an interview and it performed flawlessly. The variable zoom allows painfully slow zooms, which I like, and you can customize the LCD screen and viewfinder to show just the information you want and nothing else.
I also used the A1 to shoot a home improvement video. When the talent was making marks in the ceiling with a pencil against the stucco surface, I was able to get an extreme close-up from ground level with the amazing 20x lens.
I did try the AIF here -- because the pencil mark was less than three millimeters from the stucco ceiling, the focus did search, but that was the only time it ever did. It will take some getting used to putting a camera on auto, adjusting the focus again, and resume shooting. I'm still in the habit of letting my tired eyes do the work in manual.
Battery life is comparable to other Canon models (we have a supply of GL2s, XL1s, and XL2s at the school). I actually preferred shooting with the Canon A1 instead of our Sony Z1; the Canon is smaller, more maneuverable with a 20x zoom (the Z1 only has 12x), plus there's an F-stop ring on the lens instead of "the dial." Real 24f is also an improvement over Cineframe.
The A1 doesn't allow interchangeable lenses, but that limitation hasn't been a problem for other camcorder offerings in this price range. Remember, if you need wider or more telephoto images, adapters are available that will do the trick. If that just won't do, consider the jump to Canon's more expensive XL H1. But if you can accept the built-in 20x lens -- and that's not exactly a burden -- the Canon A1 is a solid choice for low-cost HD acquisition.
Chuck Gloman is an awarding-winning producer/director of photography with more than 800 commercials to his credit, and is a member of the faculty of DeSales University. Contact him at chuck.gloman@desales.edu.
MORE INFO
Canon usa.canon.com
FOCUS Enhancements focusinfo.com
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