Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder

Canon XL1S MiniDV Digital Camcorder
Manufacturer: Canon
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Canon pursued imaging greatness resulting in the ultimate digital camcorder system, the XL1S. It starts with a highly intelligent "open architecture" design, which allows you to customize your XL1S with the widest variety of optional accessories available. Plus you have extensive control over picture and sound adjustments to tailor the "look and feel" of each recording to your preference or even your clients'. Whether you define yourself as an imaging enthusiast, professional videographer or digital filmmaker there is a Canon XL1S digital camcorder configuration that's just right. Which one is right for you?The Canon XL1S is not one, but many different cameras. Interchangeable lenses and viewfinders allow the XL1S to be tailored for optimal performance in any shooting condition. Incorporating high-precision optics and features found only previously on top-end professional gear, the XL1S raises the standard for others to follow.
Amazon.com Product Description
Small enough to carry around and costing not much more than a top-of-the-line consumer camcorder, the XL1S produces such high-quality results that it is sure to be the top choice for many independent filmmakers who demand full features and controls. Like its predecessor, the XL1, this camera uses three separate 270,000 pixel CCDs (one for each primary color) for the best picture quality. The XL1S records digital audio, with two channels of 16 bit/48 KHz sound or four channels of 12 bit/32 KHz sound. The body is based on a magnesium-alloy frame for maximum durability. It ships with a 16x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, but is also compatible with other XL camcorder lenses. With an optional adapter, you can use Canon EF (EOS) still-camera lenses--some of which also feature optical image stabilization.

The electronics of the XL1S have many advanced features, including a number of programmed AE modes, as well as both shutter and aperture priority modes. There are two different auto modes, one of which allows you to adjust any setting manually, if you want, and the other, which adjusts every setting automatically and lets you adjust nothing. A spotlight mode automatically compensates for difficulties when shooting a subject bathed in a spotlight. The computer-shooting mode gets rid of monitor flicker that happens when shooting a computer screen. There are also three different shooting modes: normal movie, digital photo, and frame movie. Normal movie mode is for any time you want to shoot video footage. Digital-photo mode records a still image for six seconds on the MiniDV tape and also captures any accompanying audio for a commentary track. The frame movie mode records 30 noninterlaced still images per second, instead of capturing 60 fps interlaced images. This mode isn't intended to be used for shooting video (playback may not look completely smooth). Rather, frame movie mode should be used as a burst, or continuous, shooting mode, like you'd find on a still camera.

The XL1S offers many new and updated features over the XL1. There is a 16:9 shooting mode where electronic lines draw are displayed through the viewfinder so you can compose your shots flexibly for later conversion to HDTV, where 16:9 is the standard. SMPTE color bars help establish a proper color reference for shooting and editing. Interval recording lets you shoot time-elapsed motion video with intervals from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Zebra patterns help you determine overexposed areas in your shot so you can adjust the aperture and shutter accordingly.

Digital Video Format and IEEE 1394

The XL1S is a consummate professional creation tool that supports the established industry standards, MiniDV and IEEE 1394. Support of these standards make the XL1S a flexible video creation tool that interoperates with standard DV equipment and computer editing systems as accorded by engineering, scientific and broadcast communities.

DV Format Technology and Its Advantages

The MiniDV format supported by the XL1S delivers more than 500 lines of horizontal resolution -- a 25% improvement over analog systems. The DV format allows for near lossless transfer within digital editing environments for faster creation, increased productivity and improved production quality of final prints.

IEEE 1394 (DV Terminal)

The XL1S comes standard with a DV terminal that conforms to IEEE 1394 for digital transfer of video and sound, in addition to regular video and audio outputs. The IEEE 1394 (also known as FireWire®) standard allows editing, copying and recording of digital video over a single cable. This transfer format affords improved image and sound quality and is virtually free from generation loss.

The 3 CCD System

The XL1S maximizes the capability of the DV format by using a 3 CCD (charge-coupled device) system with a separate CCD for each primary color (red, green, blue). A beam-splitting prism separates light passing through the lens into individual color components and each is sent to its own CCD. Compared to a single CCD, the 3 CCD system achieves outstanding detail with highly accurate color reproduction suitable for the demands of high-end video production - wide dynamic range, low color noise, high-contrast detail, natural color resolution and low-aliasing. The 3 CCD system also makes advanced Pixel Shift (for increased image quality) and Low Light Recording (for increased flexibility) possible.

The three CCD image sensors in the XL1S, each with 270,000 pixels, were specifically designed to capture as much image detail as possible and for shooting under extremely low light conditions. The size of each pixel is 72 square microns - 150% larger than the pixel-size on comparable DV models. The result is an approximate 4 dB improvement in sensitivity. This improved sensitivity means that each CCD can capture more information at all light ranges. In super low light, the XL1S still captures crisp and clear digital data. Under extremely bright conditions, the Pixel Shift capabilities of the XL1S greatly reduces vertical white streaks and smears, making it a consummate field recording device for all conditions.

Because human eyes see green more clearly and readily, the green component of a video signal contains 60% of the picture detail whereas the red and blue components together comprise the remaining 40%. With the advanced Pixel Shift on the XL1S, the green CCD is physically shifted the equivalent distance of 1/2 pixel horizontally from the red and blue CCD, and the green signal is electronically shifted 1/2 pixel vertically. This shifting of the green CCD increases the sampling points, resulting in a system that is comparable to 410,000 pixel CCD systems in terms of resolution. With a larger pixel size and the process of Pixel Shift, the Canon XL1S gives wider dynamic range, better low light recording, reduced vertical smears, and high quality still images without sacrificing the highest resolution DV available.

Audio and Video Inputs and Outputs

The XL1S offers a plethora of means by which to get audio and video in and out of the camcorder. The XL1S is designed to handle two types of analog video input and output: using audio/video cables (composite) or S-video. There are four audio inputs and outputs. All connections are on the camera body.

What's in the Box

XL1S Camera
Zoom Lens 16x XL 5.5-88 mm IS
BP-930 Battery Pack
CA-910 Compact Power Adapter
DC-900 DC Coupler
SS-1000 Shoulder Strap
WL-D32000 Wireless Controller
SP-100 Shoulder Pad
S-150 S-video Cable
STV-150 Stereo Video Cable
Lens Hood

Average customer rating: 5.0

Fantastic!!!!
Once you go flat screen...
What I expected
Big, Bright, Clear Flat Panel
This monitor is phenomenal!

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10 cool gizmos everyone should own

ViewSonic VE170 17" LCD Monitor

Manufacturer: ViewSonic
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00005AMDA

Related Categories:

17"

Flat panel

17 & 18-inch LCD Monitors

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17-Inch

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17-Inch

Amazon.com Product Description

If your desktop is prime real estate but your work is graphic intensive, the ViewSonic VE170 17-inch flat-panel monitor's tiny footprint, rich color, and bright display provide a solution on all levels. The LCD screen is only 3.9 inches thick but has a full 17-inch viewable area with 1,024 x 768 resolution. With a contrast ratio of 200:1 and on-screen controls, your display will always be crisp. ViewMatch, which lets you adjust the color temperature and intensity to ensure screen-to-print matching, is included in these controls.

The VE170 boasts a Kensington security port to protect your assets, and the antistatic, antiglare screen features a treatment that refracts unwanted light away from your eyes. Both TCO '99 and Energy 2000 compliant, the monitor adheres to strict standards for low radiation, safety, ergonomics, recycling, and power management.

The monitor's base, which measures only 5.4 by 14.6 inches, keeps the monitor stable even when the screen is tilted to extremes. The unit is wall and arm mountable for commercial use, and the power and PC cords plug in under a removable casing, keeping your desktop (or wall space) tidy. The VE170 is compatible with PCs and Macs, and plug-and-play installation ensures easy configuration and setup. The three-year limited warranty includes parts, labor, and backlight. One year of 48-hour Express Exchange is also included.

Product Description

If you're looking for a large-screen flat-panel display, but have limited workspace, your search is over. The ViewSonic VE170, with its slim 3.5" panel profile, delivers brilliant, color-rich images along with sharp, crisp text. It's available in beige and at an amazingly affordable price. Plus, it meets global environmental and safety standards. The value-rich VE170 is the ideal choice for a wide variety of applications, from high-end graphics to spreadsheets and word processing.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!!!!.......2002-11-29

What a fantastic monitor. The colours are bright and sharp. I had a regular 19" monitor but that took up the majority of my desk. This one is so tiny and it hardly takes up any room. And if you've ever tried to carry a 19" monitor you know how awkward it is. This monitor is so light that I can carry it with one hand. The only downside is that sometimes the colours are skewed. Overall, it's worth the price.

Once you go flat screen..........2002-01-08

I love this monitor.
I used to have a 21 incher regular box screen, but it took SO much space on my desk... The thing was about 18" wide and 16" deep, a true monster-of-a-monitor. Now with this pretty LCD, I have lots of space left over, and my eyes don't get tired as easily when playing games all day or writing emails to all my friends. If you love your eyes, get this screen. It looks so sleek and it performs. Once you go flat screen, you'll never go back to big bulky monitors again! I got the VE170mb. I LOVE IT! One tip: When I installed the monitor for the first time, it had a little dot on the bottom right corner of the screen. Like a loose contact of some sort. I rubbed the spot with my finger and it was fixed. If and when you buy, make sure you buy from someone with a good warranty. I bought from a trustworthy store and they would replace it for free. I hope the dot doesn't show up again!

What I expected.......2002-01-08

I upgraded from a 17" CRT to the VE170 primarily for extra desktop space and less strain on my eyes. It seems to be doing a great job at both. Not to mention that the viewing area is noticibly larger than a 17" CRT. The unit had a pixel out, but from what I understand this is common and is not worth sending the unit back over. It is not a big deal because the dead pixel only shows up on totally black screens - and how often is that?
The monitor does, however, take a little getting used to. It looks different depending on the viewing angle and it takes a little tweaking with resolutions etc. to get it right. I had to set my Windows display resolution to the highest (1280 x 1024) to get a crisp picture. Most other resolutions produced jagged or foggy text. The only drawback to such a high resolution is that the text is small on some web pages. This can be worked around by viewing the text in Outlook or Internet Explorer as "Larger" or "Largest" and using the "large fonts" setting in Windows. Overall, this monitor is a great value for the price. As long as you are not looking for extras like DVI, USB, or multiple VGA ports, this unit offers everything you need in a flat panel at a great price.

Big, Bright, Clear Flat Panel.......2001-12-16

I looked at most of the leading consumer oriented 17 and 18 inch LCD Panels, and I found the Viewsonic to be the best combination of performance and economy. (...)Note I purchased the Viewsonic VA800 which I understand is pretty much identical to the VE170.

The monitor is big (17.4") bright and clear, and combines perfectly with my Radeon All-In-Wonder Video card for sharp text and great looking graphics at 1280x1024. I was able to see about fifteen 17-18" flat panels side by side, and the standouts in terms of image were the Viewsonic, the Nec and the Phillips. The Sony 18" panels are about twice the price, and the cases are beautiful, but the image suffers in comparison.

I was worried about using a regular VGA analog signal with an expensive monitor like this, so I originally wanted to get a monitor that had a DVI (Digital Video) jack, but couldn't find anything with a display I liked as much as the Viewsonic in the price range. I'm pleased to report the display fed by my Radeon is rock solid with no flicker and is real easy on the eyes.

The pivot feature of the monitor is also pretty cool - you can turn the screen 90 degrees to the right to make it easier to read large, text oriented documents.

My second choice was the 18 inch NEC - my decision came down to these two units. I chose the Viewsonic because, side by side, the picture seemed brighter and had more contrast. I do like the color of the Grey NEC case better than the beige viewsonic, but the image quality really made the difference for me.

So I'm happy because I got a really great 17.5" flat panel without breaking the bank, and my wife is happy because my desk looks a lot less cluttered and more hip...

This monitor is phenomenal!.......2001-12-11

This is one of the best looking displays I have ever seen. It is crisp and clear, and of course, has a larger viewable area than a traditional CRT monitor. It makes my old monitor look like a dinosaur! It is slim and attractive, with a tilting display, and provides me with at least 8" more desk space than I had previously. 5 stars also to Viewsonic tech support. Although you cannot search their site for common issues, the wait for a technician was less than 5 minutes, and he quickly solved my problem of "waves" across the screen, which occurred after installing the drivers, by having me change the refresh rate from Optimal to 60 mhz. Viewsonic makes an excellent product, and this does not just apply to their CRT monitors. If you are looking for an LCD monitor, you can stop looking right here.

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