Canon's HDV High Definition XL H1 does 1080i

We knew Canon's new HDV camcorder was en route, so it's not really much a surprise that they announced it in time for their Canon Expo 2005 here in New York. Their new HDV High Definition XL H1 does 1080i (but not 24p) for less than we expected: $9,000. Outside that, the triple 1/3-inch CCD camera packs a 20x zoom lens, 24fps mode, 2.4-inch display, and their new DIGIC DV II processor. We're gonna venture that the two of you out there who're gonna put your cars in hock will probably be getting your money's worth on this one.

[Trevor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Really? It does 1080i but not in a progressive mode?

[Ryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I'll keep my (I wish) HVX-200 for about $3k less.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Does it actually *capture* 1080i or does it just output in 1080i? The Sony consumer HD cam supposedly does 1080i but it's just the output format. The capture format is 1440x1080, which is not 1080i.

Is this a true 1080i camcorder?

[Richard Baguley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

It has a 24 frame mode, but it's not true 24p...

"The XL H1 delivers 1080i HD resolution, along with selectable frame rates of 60i, 30F and 24F. For high-speed subjects 30 Frame delivers spectacular clarity, 24 Frame gives the look and motion of film."

[Nate @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

The HDV format is 1440x1080 with offset pixels horizontally to fill out the 1920x1080 space. This works the same way as the Sony HDR-FX1, I believe.

[Google Nazi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

24fps? That seems a little low? I thought HD camera's had over 1000fps like in matrix? Ah well, 9k for a videocamera forget it...

[dweebe @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

R. Kelly called and he wants one.

Paris Hilton also wants to know how good the night-vision is.

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

This is a joke for the price! Its the same thing as XL2 they just added the HDV option. Only good thing about this camcorder is that you can use ur SLR lenses so you save money there otherwise. This camcorder is not worth the money. No flip out LCD? What the hell sorry when I shoot action sports like skating or skiing there is no way I will be looking through a viewfinder. I would buy the Sony HDR-FX1 in a heart beat over this save about $6000 plus once Sony comes out with a newer model it will still be a lot cheapper than this over priced crap.

[GLN @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Ron Jeremy too.

[super_structure @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Google Nazi: You do realize that that neat "Matrix" effect is achieved by timed single-frame cameras, right? It's not a high-speed motion capture system swinging around through space. Further, there's probably not ever going to be a 1000 fps digital camcoder, at least not for anywhere near a grand.

[milktoast @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Resolution isn't the be all and end all, bitrate is just as important if you want any kind of camera movement or fast moving action, the standard definition DV codec struggles with this at 25 megabits/sec - try whip pans on your DV camera and you'll see,HDV is an mpeg stream (p-frames, b-frames anyone) and is only 25 Mb/s, read artifacting and motion problems, the HVX 200 can write at 100 Mb/s to the P2 media, this is really the only pro quality HD prosumer camcorder around, sure the media is expensive now buit give it a couple of years, or write the cost off against the $3K you save not buying this canon, a 4 gig P2 card cost about $4K

[jorellh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I'll keep my Sony HDR-FX1 thank you very much.

[modenadude @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I've always been a soul supporter of all Canon, but I just don't see how they're going to try and sell one of these new HDV cameras... I don't like how everyone is getting side tracked with HDV....

[Gary @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

What is the big deal with the film look? I hate the stuttering of film when it pans. Then again, it gives me a headache when I'm around old flourescent lights or whenever a CRT monitor is set at 60hz

I can't wait for the day when digital outperforms film and that all cinemas go digital projection.

[Google Nazi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

To #9 - of course I know that they used 50 some camera's to capture the weird effect but that isn't what i'm talking about. I am talking about high motion capture camera's. Such as the ones used in myth busters.

[adamgeek @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

#6,9,14: "bullet time" (also called "slice of life") is done with individual stills, yes. it can also be done with a servo-driven dolly.

there are 1000fps digital video cameras, but they aren't $9k. One that comes to mind is the cinespeedcam, which (if i recall) will do between 1000fps and 2000fps bursts, and max res of 1024x1024. Bandpro will rent you one, or you can buy it for $150,000-ish.

#3: The HDV 1080i standard calls for 1440x1080 sampled 8bit 4:2:0.. therefore ALL 1080i HDV cameras will be 1440 native. The 1440 is a lot less critical to degrading image quality as the 8bit 4:2:0 25mbps interframe mpeg sampling is. Also, to my knowledge, the HDCAM standard also requires downsampling to 1440x1080 for luma before recording to tape at just under 200mbps.. even $100,000 cameras such as the F900 are downsampling to 1440width. The only "true 2k" offerings I can think of offhand are the various uncompressed 2k [or larger] cameras at the highest end of the pricerange (D-20, Genesis, Viper, etc).

[Bonz Xylophone @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

I'd be looking foward to a new GL-2 as a more affordable HD solution.

[dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

The XL-H1 looks nice for what it is. I think I would still opt for the AG-HVX 200. Although Final Cut can do native HDV editing now despite it not being i-frame based, HDV is still not as good for frame specific edits, or compositing, or even resolution. give me 1080 24p/30p. sexy. Even though the interchangeable lense would be nice on the HVX-200, I can't afford other lenses any way.... you might say, well, then you can't afford the P2 cards for the HVX200... but Firestore is working to make the FS line work with DVCPro HD, trying to have it out by march/06. 80 gigs for under 2000. that is your answer to the P2 cards being over priced. So this may be a wonderfull camera, but sadly, I think canons missed the mark of out doing panasonic with this one, due to the fact that the Firestore drive and the HVX200 would cost less then the H1.

[You dont know about HD @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

# 8,12... The additional price allows you to record and output uncompressed HD-SDI, as well as genlock and true smpte time code. This is the closest thing to a truly professional camera option at an amazing price. Talking about skate videos and skiiing usually isnt in the same calibre. A sony FX-1 is a consumer camera, no XLR inputs, the highly compressed HDV format, which gets more compressd in editing... To compare it against the new Canon and its photographic quality, manual and wide lenses, 35mm adaptors and tons of accessories already out there? Are you kidding. The camera is the best of the bunch.. Until something new comes out... The p2 is incredible, but pricey.. If someone learns how to mod the chips, or hack a firestore for a 400gb drive... Then it will make all the cameras even better, but advantage the pana P2's no moving parts all electronic reliability, putting the XL-H1 and Pana at the top of the bunch

[Bogdan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM]

Canon claims their frame mode produces the same results as progressive scan. Technically it's not progressive camera, but that does not mean progressive look can not be achieved. Interlaced cameras open, lock and scan fields from their CCDs at 1/60 or 1/50 sec. intervals. It seems like Canon used very clever process to achieve progressive images in XL-H1 by simply scanning both fields at the same time. Technically, it can not be called 24p, 25p or 30p so they call it "frame". Still, we have to wait for first hands-on tests and screenshots, but if Canon XL-H1 proves their frame mode equals progressive, then we have the coolest camera on the market able to deliver 1080p images. If that is confirmed, Canon will blow away Panasonic. Does not matter how great Pana HVX200 will be, most of us will not wait years for their 8-minute long P2 media to become affordable, let alone bigger capacities. When that finally happens, everybody will be using solid state memory instead of tape already. Don't get me wrong, HVX200 is very cool idea, but for a few years to come, mostly for wealthy customers. I don't think many of us will spend $10k to get the camera and media for 16-minutes of recording. But now, I can't wait to test Canon XL-H1 closely.