Canon XL H1A Camcorder Review

Compression & Media Summary
• The HDV compression from the Canon XL H1A should not prove a problem for any updated NLE system. • 24F and 30F can only be played back natively on Canon camcorders, not standard decks • 1080/60i, 30F, and 24F frame rates • The XL H1A records to MiniDV/HDV tape, but accessories are available for direct output to hard drive
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Compression (8.3)

The Canon XL H1A compresses video using the HDV format for high definition footage and DV format for standard definition video. This is the standard compression format when recording HD video to MiniDV tape. Unlike the more expensive XL H1S and XL H1, the XL H1A cannot output uncompressed HD video as it does not contain an HD/SDI port.

The Canon XL H1A has three frame rate options—1080/60i, 1080/30F, and 1080/24F. 60i is the standard  frame rate for television, 30F is designed for display on a progressive scan monitor, and 24F offers film-like motion. While the 30F and 24F frame rates are designed to look like progressive rates, they aren't truly progressive. The camcorder is still capturing footage using an interlaced CCD sensor.

The 24F and 30F modes on the XL H1A are not quite the same as the 24p and 30p modes found on Canon's consumer HD camcorders. In 24F on the XL H1A, the camcorder captures 24 frames per second footage and records it to tape as actual 24fps video. However, for playback the signal is down-converted to 60i using the 2:3 pulldown method (video output from the FireWire terminal is in 24p). Canon provides a graph in the XL H1A's instruction manual to help clarify what the 24F and 20F frame rates are actually doing:

In HD, the camcorder records 30F and 24F footage onto tape as 30p and 24p*

In SD, the camcorder records 30F and 24F footage onto tape as 60i using 2:3 pulldown conversion*

* images provided by Canon

Shooting with the alternate frame rates in SD, the camcorder does not record 30p or 24p video to the tape like it does in HD. What is recorded to the tape is the same down-converted 60i stream that you see during playback (using the 2:3 pulldown conversion). Shooting with 24F mode in standard definition there's also the option of using a 2:3:3:2 pulldown conversion instead of 2:3.

Media (6.0)

The Canon XL H1A records both HD and SD video to standard MiniDV tapes. MiniDV is still a popular option for professional and prosumer camcorders as it records a decent amount of footage (60 minutes per tape) and the tapes are very inexpensive. The tape speed when shooting in SP mode is 18.81 mm/second. For LP mode (DV-only) the tape speed is 12.56mm/second. The camcorder does have an SD/SDHC card slot (also holds MMC), but only pictures and custom presets can be stored there. The memory card slot is located at the front of the camcorder, on the opposite side from the hand strap.

The XL H1A records to MiniDV tape

Both Sony and Panasonic have released pro models that capture video to high-capacity flash memory cards, but all of Canon's pro camcorders still use a tape deck. If using tape is something that alienates you, there is the option of recording directly to a FireStore device that connects to the camcorder via its Firewire port. FireStore recorders are sold separately and will cost you between $1200– $2000, depending on the capacity of the device.

Editing (8.0)

Editing HDV footage is rather simple, especially when compared to the AVCHD format, which can be very taxing for computers and editing systems. Footage taken with the XL H1A can be easily captured and imported into a non-linear editing system via the FireWire connection on the back of the camcorder. Things get a bit trickier if you want to edit video taken in the 30F and 24F frame rates. Most entry-level software, like iMovie, Final Cut Express, and Premiere Elements, don't offer the ability to edit frame rates other than 60i natively. Upgrading to professional editing software does grant you the ability to work with this footage, but you'll have to fork over the extra cash.