I looked at this camera the Panasonic hvx200, the sonys, the jvc 200, and even Canon's bigger brother the X1. I found this one to have fantastic reviews on DVinfo.net, a great video forum. My concerns about 24f vs 24p were addressed to my satisfaction- there really isn't a difference. I like tape vs the HVX's expensive storage solutions. One concern I had was, will it look like a pro camera? That is important in some situations where your equipment gives you added credibilty with clients and talent.
br /
br /As soon as I opened the box I was in love! This is a really substantial camera. Especially with the opt wide angle from Canon and the matte box provided, this does not look like your mama's camcorder.
br /
br /I really like the manual controls, so that you don't have to go thru menus to change parameters. The layout of everything is great. I really like the dual on/off and zoom controls- top of handle plus rear right side. Holding the handle for low or medium height shots is very, very comfortable and the controls are perfectly positioned.
br /
br /Only down side- and it is incidental. The matte box is a bit flimsy- lightweight plastic. That helps with weight, but I worry about breaking it. Some may say that HDV codec is not as good as DVCpro, but my eye does not see it. The colors are magnificent and it blows away many other cams in low-light.
br /
br /If you are looking for point and shoot, this is not your baby, but if you want a pro quality camera for a really great price- this is it!

About 1 year ago I bought an XL-H1 and a Sony HVR-A1U to do work on a documentary. Though the Sony has proved to be a great camera in its own right, it doesn't cut well with the XL-H1, and the image quality in bright light was near as good, in darker settings, things just fell apart. So I bought this camera XH-A1. I thought when I bought the XL-H1 I would end up buying a second when I could afford it, but I found no compelling reason on a couple of counts. (1) Jack pack is wonderful if you are planning to haul around a RAID array and a generator. I'm sure this would be allot of fun for the run a gunner like myself ;-) (sarcasm). Even though I have heard people criticize the HDV format for compression and artifacts not seen as much with the uncompressed format you get from the HD/SDI output.. I personally think maybe its 1 person in a 1000 who could tell the difference in the end (and they might be faking, I can't). This pictures is NOTHING short of Stunning period. (2) I thought having two cameras that I could syncronize with the clocks would be really needed.. but its really not that difficult to do in an editor by just finding a synchronizing frame (like a handshake, etc) and going from there. (3) I wanted the TC output to drive an external 24 bit audio recorder (this camera doesn't have it the HL-H1 does). Well, after getting it to work, I never used it.. I did lots of 24 bit recording, but like the video, it was easy enough to synchronize externally in the editor later. The autofocus on this camera is hugely improved over the xl-h1. I NEVER run the XL-H1 in "auto" anything, this camera I do as it seems to have more smarts, though I STRONGLY suggest putting the gain into "LOW" not auto and setting it for -3 in the menu setups. Also, Always do manual white balance. I still favor running about everything in manual as its better control and fewer unexpected problems, but I would trust this camera far more than the XL-H1 in auto.
br /
br /DOWNSIDES:
br /For me, there are only two downsides to this camera (1) Wide angle lens - I know there is a screw on available, I haven't tried it.. but the $3K canon wide angle lens (almost the same price as this camera!) is just amazing, I wonder how great this one is. (2) Power of the big camera.. as much of a joke as it may sound.. I have gotten several interviews and in several places because the XL-H1 is huge, expensive, and professional looking. I have walked though security at events because the guys "assume" I am with something official (just an independent doc), and have seen them stop guys with huge expensive still cameras, etc.. its actually very funny, but if you understand human nature.. it makes people take you seriously. The XH-A1 performs every bit as good, but lacks that effect to the same degree (though it still looks pretty "professional"). I hope that helps.
br /
br /Last comment, unless you're going to film (I think 24F is pretty bogus) try 30F, looks much smoother and better. People fell in love with the distortion of vinal recordings, but it was still distortion. 24F (p) is the same thing.. looks jerky, maybe more like a movie, but if you have a better technology why on earth would you like something inferiour? My 2 Cents.

After careful review and hands-on comparisons of Canon's XHA1, the Sony V1U, Panasonic's vastly overrated HVX200, and JVC's HD110, I opted for Canon's XHA1.
br /
br /Surprisingly, the V1U was quite "noisy" in all settings, appearing no better in quality than my obsolete TRV900. Apparently, 24P on the V1 is at this moment un-editable in most NLE's except Sony's mediocre "Vegas" software. And until a 16GB or 32GB P2 card is introduced at a drastically reduced price (unlikely) the HVX vs film camera comparisons seem justified only in that the cost of each precious minute is as astronomical as the cost of celluloid. JVC lacks an auto focus feature, which is fine as long as you've got a camera crew in tow complete with a professional focus puller.
br /
br /Bottom line, Canon's optics are second to none. The XHA1 is the low price answer to Canon's flagship XLH1, and from the same camp, the far superior camera in this bunch.
br /
br /A standing ovation to Amazon for overnight delivery of the XHA1, which arrived in pristine condition on time as promised.

I just got this in May 2007. I was a still photographer all my life, but now deceided to incorporate videos into my work, so I went straight to the quality camera rather than trying out inexpensive versions, despite being quite a novice when it comes to complicated video camera operations (I'm used to just push/zoom/record when it comes to camcorders).
br /
br /This camera takes great quality footages, and if you're like me (don't know how to operate it to it's full potential), it's still easy enough to use and get a great shot while you're still reading and learning from the manual. I ended up buying the DVD explaining this specific camera, after reading the manual 3 times and found it more complex than I had imagined. Might as well learn all the tricks after investing in this great equipment, right?
br /
br /I tape professional concerts on stage, so 20x zoom is thankful, but sometimes even that's not enough for my work! Does anyone have a suggestion as to which teleconverter attachment I should /can use for this?
br /
br /I also attend red carpet events and interview people at publicized functions. Being a girl, it's bad enough to fight the big boys from the prominent press to grab the celebrity's attention. However, this camera commands attention, and people actually make way for me when I walk around with this professional looking machine. I even succeeded in grabbing Michael Moore and Joan Rivers to talk to my camera for a very brief interview before they had to walk away to the next bigger camera (CNN - had I not been next to their HUGE intimidating camera, perhaps I would have had more time with those celebs? ).
br /
br /The spotlight mode on this camera has been helpful in filming stage performances where my second camera (Sony) I roll simultaneously from another angle can't seem to handle the crazy changes in the stage lighting as well.
br /
br /There's much more upsides, but I think people already know that.
br /
br /The fact that you can adjust just about anything manually makes this camera the bar-none winner!
br /
br /One of the few non-professional camcorder that comes with microphone jack input as well as headphone jack! Both very much appreciated.
br /
br /So, the DOWNSIDE:
br /
br /The still photo capability is nice, but the images come out grainy in higher resolution, but okay in the lower res setting. Outdoor photos faired better. For photography art, stick to your real camera.
br /
br /The manual that comes with the camera is NOT easily deciphered by a novice like myself, when it gets into the deep and technical aspects of customizing the setting (what, why, and how). A novice would probably end up shooting in auto mode (such a pity) due to it's complex programming involved for custom setting.
br /
br /Weight: for a girl (115 lbs), I always need a tripod because it's quite heavy after holding it for 10 min and by the end of the event, my arm/shoulder is aching. However, the image stablizer works fantastically when hand-held.
br /
br /Microphone - invest in external microphone if you're doing serious work. I bought wireless lavs and mics, and I finally get the sounds I'm aiming for. Otherwise, it's great for home video kind of audio (good enough for many cases), with couple of tweekers to enhance it a bit.
br /
br /

This camera is great. Its low light performance and high definition is really a great combination. In side by side tests I have done with the Sony FX1 and V1U it beats both on the low light performance and has lower noise. It has many manual controls which are key for me and the picture manipulation settings cannot be beat by comparable cameras.

In short, I love it.
br /The XH A1 is a professional looking camera and has all the features you need.
br /It is a bit complex for those who are not true prosumers or pros, and the manual is not consumer oriented.
br /
br /The picture qualitity is, so far, the best I've seen in non-pro cameras. The 3 CCDs at 1/3 inch each are truely spectacular.
br /
br /
br /The 2 external XLR connections are the reason I looked at this camera. If you want to mic someone via wireless or wired lav mic, this is the camer to do that. Just make sure you read over the XLR connection settings in the manual a few times and change the buttons (unfortunately located in 4 different locations on the camera) to the right settings. A set of good headphones is a must-have when not using the wonderful built-in mic. By the way, this built-in mic eliminated one of the situations where I always needed a mic, a close up interview situation--the built-in is very sensitive and accurate for this type of thing.
br /
br /The downside to this camera is really only that it does NOT contain an HDMI adapter. Sadly CANON did not provide one; instead they opted for a custom (HDMI-looking) adpater that if you loose the cable you can't run down to Fry's or Radio Shack to get another one. :(
br /
br /The other thing is that it is 1440x1080 instead of 1920x1080. Their new CANON HV20 ( a 1CCD camera due in April 2007) is 1920x1080 resolution--just seems odd to me. But then I'm the guy that will get a 10 Megapixel camera simply because its better resolution. :)
br /
br /The bottom line, don't get the Sony FX7, get this one. The Sony seems and is easier to use, but it doesn't have an external XLR jack, it uses 1/4 inch CCDs, and in a side-by-side test doesn't offer as good performance in low light situations as this one.
br /
br /The camera is a bit complicated, but if you're willing to learn, it is a wonderful tool.
br /If you need true point and shoot, I'd wait and get the CANON HV20.

a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TJA00PRTLXJL"Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3TJA00PRTLXJL/a I use this camcorder now for all my filming (capturing with Final Cut Pro) and I highly recommend it.

The canon is not your average point and shoot video camera. Although your results will likely be great if you're outside shooting your child's sports event, the camera requires patience and frequent use to get a feel for it's abilities.
br /
br /The best recommendation I can make to folks looking to purchase this camera is to shoot often, shoot in low light, bright light, get a feel for what the built-in Neutral Density filter does for you, and how to use the audio controls.
br /
br /It's taken me about 6-8 hours of filming in 15 minute intervals to get my comfort level up to a point where I'm happy and excited to shoot important events. This is a fantastic professional camera and while the average user won't need to worry about customizing all the color settings (although there programs to help you), the professional will love the control settings, the user defined program buttons, and the timecoding found in the sister camera, the XH-G1.
br /
br /Have fun, this is a great camera.
br /
br /--------
br /
br /Why I chose this camera over it's rivals:
br /
br /1. 3CCD means (at the time I purchased) a better low light film quality.
br /2. External XLR audio. I tend to prefer the audio from a shotgun mic, or the wind filtering fuzzies on a shure mic.
br /3. Flip out LCD. This is a must for comfortable shooting / tripod shooting.
br /4. Handle controls. Shoot those low shots aiming up with comfort without getting off the stage.
br /5. Tapes. SD cards are great, but I tend to shoot once and keep the tapes forever, so SD cards were an expensive option for shoot once storage (they're cheaper now, but i still feel kinda silly not re-using memory cards).
br /
br /Importing onto my mac is a piece of cake. PC users may need some special software.
br /
br /Have fun and happy shooting!

I have nothing but good things to say about this camera; every good thing in the other reviews is true. I literally have no complaints, except when it comes to the company Canon outsourced to facilitate the rebates. I was denied my rebate twice, having been lied to by the company, saying I missed the postmark deadline. I did certified mail, baby. They got their date wrong and denied me, but with persistence, and overwhelming evidence, they sent me a check, but would not provide info on where they got their (fake) date wrong.
br /So, beware, and send certified for rebates. And Canon, shame on you for having a crap company like Rebates HQ do your rebates!
br /This camera, by the way, is a dream. It's lens makes me tingle. It's the best camcorder I've ever used, and as a filmmaker, I've used quite a few.
br /Oh, and as with ALL camcorders, don't use the camera mic if you care about sound. Seriously now.

I give this baby Canon my thumbs-up! This is a superb HD camera with just the right feature/size/price/performance balance set.
br /
br /For my 1st ever indie-documentary shoot, I took this camera to the back roads, dirt and grime included, in a hot and humid Philippines countryside. It survived blood splatters from the event. Then, I went to film two weddings and a rock band show back to back in the US.
br /
br /The weight and size was perfect for travel without compromising the video quality and feature set.
br /
br /So, Until I get my hand on the new RED HD camera, this will be my side-kick for any HD video assignments in the near future.
br /
br /The extended battery pack fits well and I did not experience any of the ejection problems others reported.
br /
br /If there is an improvement I'd like to suggest for the next version: get rid of the mini-DV video cassette for pure digital hard drive storage.
br /
br /Also, for loud sounds (such as concerts), use manual setting and perform sound checks with a good headset.

I own it. I use it a lot. 9 months now and it's still working fine. No drop outs on the tapes and I've put it through some challenging climates as well as racking up significant hours shooting and digitizing.
br /
br /I like that it shoots tape, as that's what my clients demand from me (it's the reason I had to buy this particular HDV cam in the first place) and I can buy stock anywhere in the world (and have). However, with the cost of digital storage these days, the cams that offer recording field footage on advanced flash cards start looking like a really nice option as it bypasses the issue of tape mechanism breakdown as the hours usage starts to add up.
br /
br /My first week of shooting with this cam in Beijing I suffered through a chinese dude stumbling into my gear and basically sitting on my XH. The mic broke right off. It's not attached with a sturdy mount, just internal plastic with a lot of play, so if you're doing extensive run and gun you might want to consider that. It sticks out there and is vulnerable. I use an external shotgun anyway, so while I was sad to see the mic break off, it doesn't affect my work.
br /
br /I don't really like the image chip presets/defaults on the camera, very bland, but they're easily changed and one can do endless tweaks for the settings that work best for you and your style. I do a fair amount of work for live music acts, and the ability of this camera to counter-balance the heavy red light typical of live venues has been a blessing. Also, there are plenty of users out there that share their chip settings and downloading them from the net and putting them on your own XH A1 is pretty easy. Many many things are user programmable on this camera. Color settings, gain settings, focal ring sensitivity, zoom speed, etc. I use the camera exclusively in manual mode, so these controls are ideal.
br /
br /I find that editing HDV on my FCP system has been almost as fluid as my DV projects. It's ever so slightly bogged down by the necessity to do on-the-fly time-code calculations due to the nature of the codec, but it's very negligible. In fact, because of HDV, FCP defaults to a nice real-time capture process that I like --where it grabs clips individually rather than consolidated (as on DV). So that's a nice bonus!
br /
br /As far as the limitations of HDV, Yes, they exist. Big deal. I don't understand the logic of folks that bash the codec/format. If you don't know what the HDV format is all about, then chances are you're not shooting as a true pro, and you're working the middle ground in some way (and there's lots of work in that part of the market) so what's the worry? The color sampling is highly compressed. Yeah? And if you were doing a real shoot that required serious green-screen or some such, something tells me you'd have the budget for gear north of 3k. Sheesh. Otherwise, your gonna get a cam that has the capability of creating really nice motion picture images that's ridiculously affordable. And, if you're an aspiring pro or a motivated enthusiast, you're going to find that your skills and ambitions will allow you to push this camera to really high levels of image quality.
br /
br /Basically if you know what you're doing the camera will deliver. Keep in mind that ANY camera in the same budget can and will accomplish the same.

Basically this camera is everything its cracked up to be and more. I bought it purely for the image quality (1.67 Million pixels per CCD, compared to Panasonic's 554k per CCD for the HVX) and the 24f/p "film look." I have not been disappointed.
br /
br /Firstly, the resolution is a huge improvement compared to regular DV. It gives you instant credibility and professionalism over other films shot on regular DV. You're also operating at 18.5 mbps during playback, which is far greater than DV. You've got a lot more to tweak, color correct, and work with. The lens on this camera is also a amazing, go out and take some night shots with it, you'll be amazed.
br /
br /Basically, film people like to talk a lot about the limitations of HDV and the compression etc. And rightfully so, it's a pain to realize that you're not getting exactly what you're shooting but compressed GOPs. But honestly, if you watch a short film on DVD that's been shot on the uncompressed Panasonic HVX and then watch one that's been shot on the Canon HX A1- they're going to look very similar if not indecipherable. (if the DP knows what they're doing).
br /
br /Ultimately this camera provides 95% of the look of what a professional camera, or in my case the HVX, does. I'm really not willing to shell out the extra 2 to 4 thousand to increase a few percentage points. Also, I think people, filmmakers in particular, tend to forget that audiences don't watch films for the amazing uncompressed footage but for the strong characters and compelling narrative.
br /
br /So far with the XH A1 I've shot two HD films that have gone on to screen at festivals. When the image is on the big screen, it looks great. I am very proud of my work and that I own such a nice piece of equipment to shoot my films with. It is also loaded with an incredible amount of options and features- which is a bonus.
br /
br /On a side note, the idea of P2 workflow is amazing to me, but I simply can't afford it. I've also heard the HX A1 works with a drag and drop Firestore hard drive that's only $400. This offers the same simple workflow at a fraction of the cost. : ) I'll put it on my list.

This HDV camcorder is incredible. It's the Canon lens. The clarity, the colors, the ease of use, makes one look at the incredible video again and again. Check out the zoom, its 20x. And the internal mic is so clear. Read about the camera here, at Cnet, and on the search engines. Do a comparison. Why get so complicated like the HVX, which requires at least a laptop or a tape converter? Who needs those expensive memory cards? Sony? The ZR1? Its blue videos. All you need is a firewire and connect it to your computer. It's a lot cheaper too.

If you get an earlier version of the XH-A1 you may experience a problem shooting in standard definition. (It only occurs in some, not all cameras.) Your picture will look fine in your viewfinder and on your LCD screen. However when you download the footage the scene will be out of focus and the central image will look fuzzy (i.e. something other than the central image may be in sharp focus)--check this using a tripod for the shoot. It will be more pronounced if you are using a wide aperture. This only occurs if you shoot in standard definition and not while you are shooting in HD. (My guess is the problem is an adjustment for SD auto focus with the HD lens.) This is a problem Canon will fix for you in a very quick turn around. If you think this is occurring with your XH-A1 you should call Canon tech support and go over the problem with them so they can give you a repair code. Most likely the repair will be free. If you have this problem, once they repair it, this will be, once again, a five star camcorder. This camera is so complex you might not know whether any problem you are having is you or the camera, so I just wanted to mention this case where the problem does seem to be the camera's. 2008 Learn the (Canon XH A1, XH-A1) XHA1 TUTORIAL TEACHING PROGRAMMED-INSTRUCTION DVD

Since the purchase of this excellent camera We have been able to capture some of the greatest hunting footage my team has ever experienced. Camera has performed flawlessly in 30 degree weather and up. Beginners can pick this camera and be filming in no time at all! Some of the highly detailed settings are complicated but the auto mode eliminates the guess work on them. Fitting it in my budget to purchase TWO more of these by september. Will never use anything but a canon. Got an eight year old XL1 that performs just like a new one! What are you waiting for? ORDER ONE NOW!!!!!

Ok may not be the best camera out there, but anything better will set you back a few extra grand. This will give you the best image out of any HDV or 1/3 inch ccd out there - you can step up to the advanced Canon HD models, but those are mostly the same image with more control features and an 8K price tag.
br /
br /By far the best bang for buck that ever existed LOL - even Canon's HV20 held up pretty well to other HD 3 chip cameras.
br /
br /For the cons, main sticking point is that the zoom/focus rings are a tad slow, but for some people this is an advantage - frankly I loved the lightning fast rings on the DVX/HVXs by Panasonic which were great for developing multi shot action for documentaries. Another con is the focus distance is longer than your standard camera - you'll have to stand 5-10 feet further from the subject than normal if your indoors.
br /
br /But overall, as annoying as these gripes are personally, you still can't find a better image from any other HDV camera. And you can't find a better price either - sure there's cheaper HD 3 chip cameras out there made by Sony mostly, but the quality is a HUGE drop off, so this is the lowest price you'll get for a truly top notch product.
br /
br /I've shot stuff side by side for events with a Sony Z1U, which is at least 1000 more and the Canon had deeper and more accurate color, very noticeably sharper image, and less color drop off in low light.
br /
br /Plus having an iris ring vs. a tiny scroll wheel that other camera's have is a big plus.
br /
br /Don't worry about the 24F (some are worried over the difference between 24f and 24P) - you cannot TELL a difference at all - I zoomed into a frame to see if I could pick up on any differences - nada. Just a razor sharp image. The difference is the algorithms Canon uses to compress the footage onto tape vs. 24p - to make a long story short, hence the F and not P in descriptions, but it is certainly not a drop off.
br /
br /And to clarify something, this does up to -36 db of grain - I saw a few articles / reviews on the net saying it can only do -12. By default the gain settings are -6,-12, but you can change that in the menu to go higher if you need. Even though grain is never wanted, if you're stuck in that situation, the grain on this camera actually does resemble film grain moreso than video grain, so if you do get caught in low light, it's not that big of a deal so long as you're not in pitch darkness, it kind of adds to the film look in 24F mode.

While the XH A1 does have its drawbacks (4:2:0 color space of HDV, etc), the price, light sensitivity, great picture quality, and light weight more than make up for them.
br /
br /I use the camera on a daily basis filming run and gun "man on the street" style interviews and sequences and I couldn't be happier with the choice. While a tapeless workflow is being touted as the future, and no doubt is, there's something nice about being able to label and file away your original tapes and rest assured that your footage is backed up regardless of what happens on the workstation.
br /
br /Highly recommend this camera over the competition in this relative price arena, especially for individuals who do a lot of run and gun with only available light.

This thing is awesome, full of options, plenty of features, and built solid. It's certainly the best camera in it's class. Easily accessible settings, quality glass, 20x zoom. Perhaps perfection if they would've designed it to be able to zoom and adjust the focus simultaneously, and had more of a matte box lens hood like the sony's. Great camera.

I've worked with a Panasonic AG-DVX100B and several consumer cameras both HD and SD. I can without any doubt in my mind say that if you are willing to commit several weeks to learning the ins and outs of this camera; you will not get better visual images from anything under 8k.
br /
br /The customization feature of the A1 are worth 3k alone. You can match this camera to anything out there, including film.
br /
br /The A1 carries Cannon's L series lens which gives sharp images even at the end of its 20x range. The images produced are crisp, clear, HD and completely stunning. Watching random footage from the A1 on a 67" HDTV is pure eye-candy!
br /
br /Unless you are looking for a camera with the more expensive flash media capabilities, or dozens of variable frame-rates, this is the camera for you!
br /
br /I have used this camera for close to a year now. Here are several things you must know before you buy:
br /
br /1. "True HD" is something to discuss for those who study lines and pixels. Those of us who make stunning visual images worry about such things as lighting, composition, movement, audio, etc.
br /
br /This camera has enough resolution to produce amazing results even in not-so-stunning situations.
br /
br /2. HDV is the most practical "HD" codec out there. It allows you to record to cheap tapes and when you wish to edit, you are able to do so on your computer. No need for fancy editing consoles, tape decks, and expensive flash media.
br /
br /3. Stop reading reviews and go look at some of the work that's been done with the A1.
br /
br /- Search for "Steven Dempsey" on vimeo.com
br /All of his recent work is done with the A1
br /
br /- http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=143
br /is a community of filmmakers who use the A1.

I chose this camera for the HD function and the manual rings around the lens, not to mention it seems to be the best deal for the money. For the record this is my first serious camcorder, and I am currently in film school so I already have a good understanding of how a camera (film or digital) works.
br /
br /For the HD remember that it's not "true" HD it's Canon's answer to it. I haven't finished a project in the HD function so I can't rate how close it comes to true HD, although I bet I won't find a difference with my naked eyes.
br /
br /The manual focus/iris/and zoom rings are great for small and precise control, but lag quite a bit when you really want a fast and smooth transition. You just loose that feeling of complete control when you really want to crank it for a quick zoom or focus change.
br /Still the great amount of control built into the camera is great and fairly intuitive to use, and being able to save multiple presets with almost every option is great.
br /
br /Also for those looking for a camera that works with multiple lenses(like a fisheye maybe???), keep looking.
br /
br /End of the day, I'm very happy with my purchase.

I bought Canon XH A1 a few weeks ago. I have used it under different light and space settings and I want to say that is a very good camera. It has several menus that you need to try and a few things to remember, but the overall conclussion is that not only it produces good video but also it teaches you the basics on filming. For a novice in video production like me it is a good tool to achieve professionalism. I -as many more have done- spent a lot of time comparing models, reading reviews and testimonies. Finally I decided for Canon XH A1 and so far I am very motivated to continue with this one. If you have questions about this review, please write to my email: libnysr@felpsis.net

This is a top of the line Broadcast Quality Camcorder. It records on tape or chip, and has a bewildering array of buttons and switches. But with enough study, you can turn out professional HI-DEF videos; including wide-screen 16X9. My main complaint, and this is a BIG one, is it is VERY hard to setup the Firewire feed to a computer. For some reason your Video editing program can't see this camera unless ALL other imaging equipment is either deleted or disabled. That includes any other Video feeds, such as TV Tuners, Scanners, etc. I have spent over a week trying, and STILL do not have it feeding the Firewire line. But I am working on it, and welcome any suggestions from ANYBODY!

The Canon XH-A1 is a great entry level professional HD camera. It has amazing clarity and is very good in low light. The customization alone makes the camera worth its price.
br /The quality of the HD footage is extremely nice. Be aware that the SD quality is not as good as a real SD camera, and SD 4:3 has blurring issues. But then this is an HD camera so it is refined for HD. Recommend taping and editing in HD and output SD if that is what is needed.
br /Also, this camera needs a lot of light, even though it is 3-CCD it requires a bit more light than a 3CCD SD camera. Get a good light if shooting indoors.
br /And since this camera has so many features it requires the user to sit down and learn it before venturing out to do real work.
br /All in all it was a great investment and has increased the quality of my work.

I think this is a great camera. I don't have anything to add to what others have said about its video performance, but can share some advice about getting the best stills. I use the camera for photographing orchestral performances, and value it for its silent shutter when making stills.
br /
br /First, set the recording device to tape, even though you're recording the stills to the SD card. When the recording device is set to card, the camera has an annoying (to the photographer and to the musicians) fake shutter sound. Second, turn off AGC and set gain to 0; that will keep the noise down. Turn on the zebras, set the trigger level to 95, and give it as much exposure as you can without blowing important highlights. You can use the lens wide open at the shorter focal lengths, but stop down a stop at the longest, if there's enough light.
br /
br /Used this way, you'll get good mid-tones, and minimal noise in the shadows.
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I purchased the Canon XH A1 for a specific project. I received the camera only 1 night before the first day of shooting was scheduled. Be sure to read through the manual to learn what this thing can do. I usually don't read manuals but the custom color/contrast settings are a bit advanced and very helpful in getting the 'look' you want.
br /I have only been impressed with this camera (as I often am with any Canon products). Battery conservation is excellent, audio is crisp, custom options abound, manual controls are easily accessible, low-light situations are not a problem (+6 to +32 gain! use sparingly, of course), and the image is fantastic for HDV.
br /Some people have been complaining about the smaller LCD flip-out monitor. I have not found this to be a problem thanks to Canon's focus assist features (2x magnify and the high-contrast mode).
br /I have one very small complaint: make the MIC-XLR switch a hardware switch! It's annoying to switch it in the camera menu. All the other audio control switches are hardware, so why not that?
br /Overall, this is a 5-star product at a very reasonable price. 24f, 30f, and 60i modes all perform beautifully. If you're looking for the right hardcase, I have been very pleased with the Pelican 1550 Case w/Foam (Black)

So with pretty much a whole year in research and reading forums,reviews, watching test footage, and more I was stuck on every question any film or video enthusiast comes across. "What camera do i buy?" To be honest...i was sold on the HVX200. I couldn't believe how good it looked and all the frame rates and recording on cards! Kicked the crap out of minidv tapes right?!
br /Well, i got my hands on the hvx200 and found out the hype didn't live to my expectations. Too much grain, expensive P2, too bulky (personally), the menus were like a labyrinth, and i just didn't like it. It's a good cam don't get me wrong but not my choice. Now i was previously a HV20 owner (still am) and am very pleased with Canon. I've been eying the XH-A1 for a while too and read so many reviews and watched some much footage that made it look absolutely amazing! I love Canon and trusted my extinct...Just received this monster today! Seriously a gorgeous design, sleek black, amazing footage, not a consumer camera but when your familiar with pro cameras this was very easy going to me but still had some curves to learn. The footage looked just as good as the HVX, i think. To my eye i like the look of the XH-A1 100X better with color adjustments in camera of course. Overall, this camera was probably the best investment for my budget. I would highly highly recommend this to any indie filmmaker, documentarian, videographer, or any serious film person. This camera lived beyond it's expectation from me. I mean a camera half the price of one of the best camera's on the market (HVX200) and looks just as good as it does, why wouldn't you choose it?! This is my personal view on it. I could go on about the features about the camera but there is too many good things about this camera. Only negative is i wish it had more shutter speeds. But all in all, best camera i have ever used and the only camera i will need for the next 5 years until Red develops the Scarlet to truly be $3k and under.

a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3806EH8COQTFY"Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3806EH8COQTFY/a Thinking of moving to HD? It's probably a good time to do it!
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br /Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom
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br /Focus Enhancements 60GB FireStore FS-4 Pro HD DV Disk Recorder With Direct To Edit DTE Technology - Model ASYF-1162-01LF Miscellaneous Accessories

I already owned a Sony Z1U, paid about $6000.00 several months ago, Paid for this Canon a lot less and the quality is a lot better, great for low light, the Sony have to much noise on the same circunstances.

GREAT CAMERA!! THE PICTURE IS OUTSTANDING!! ONE DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT THE CAMERA IS NOT EQUIPMENT WITH A "HDMI" CABLE CONNECTION. FOR THE PRICE I WAS SURE THAT IT WOULD HAVE THAT CONNECTION.
br /BUT OVERALL, I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE CAMERA. 99% OF MY SHOOTING IS OUTSIDE OF ACTIVE RAILROAD OPERATIONS. FAST MOVING TRAINS, ETC. ASO I SHOOT FIREFIGHTING SCENES FOR MY FIRE DEPT. ONCE AGAIN, OUTSTANDING CAMERA!!
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Having worked with many 'prosumer' 3CCD cameras, this is a great choice for an aspiring filmmaker of any sort. I use it for films, video journalism, blogging, anything.

All Canon HDV cameras has an important issue: if you record in 24F or 30F modes, the tapes can only be played back in the camera itself. Canon records those signals in a proprietary mode that is not HDV compliant. YOU CANNOT PLAYBACK THE TAPES IN ANY DECK OR CAMERA other than Canon.

THis is the best camcorder available. Easy enough for semi-pro but all the features the pros look for. Must have for the prosumer!

Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom Super product. Can be as used as professionally or as amateurish as to you like. It's NOT a point shoot camcorder but, it's mini-cassette recording gives you the best picture you will ever see. The Z1U Sony is too complicated for general use. The Canon A1 is
br /your best buy for ease of use and price (althou it is price'ie) Before you buy a upscale camcorder look into this unit, there is plenty of information available on internet. Check it out.

I love this Camera, as soon as I can afford it I will get another one.

I bought the canon a1 and was debating between a Z1U and this, but I read a lot of good things that people said about it, so I bought it and Im really happy with it, one thing that I was thinking was it is heavy, but you get used to the weight of it, its not bad though. I'm glad that I got it.

HDV is only a way to get near-HD recording for cheap. If cost is more important than image quality, then HDV is the way to go. This camera claims "True 1080" resolution. Unfortunately, that's a marketing term that is meaningless. No HDV camera can capture true HD 1080 resolution on tape which is defined as 1920x1080 pixels. The HDV format is limited to 1440x1080 and ultra-crummy 4:2:0 color sampling. Plus HDV's MPEG-2 codec is notoriously funky to edit with. You are missing about 25% of horizontal pixels with HDV compared to real HD.
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br /I would not recommend HDV if you plan to do any chroma keying, visual effects (compositing) or extensive post effects (like Magic Bullet). If you need to do these things, I would only recommend an HDV camcorder that has uncompressed HDMI output paired with an Intensity Pro card for capture.

Don't believe the Canon brochure. The software doesn't come with the camcorder. You have to download the trial version, and then they try to sell it to you. Don't bother with it. It's poorly written and has drivers untested with Windows. But you can use it to do a "Preformance Test" of your hard drive. The camcorder is great, but I'm giving it 1 star because Canon lied, though Amazon didn't.