I have created a playlist with sample footage and all the other videos related to the Canon XL Series. th-cam.com/play/PLSh5LPnUxQZqUNcc2w6AosgfaJ05sKeNx.html
But does it output progressive video. If the output is interlaced like all other DV, then what does it look like when something is moving fast in the image? Would be nice to see some real footage.
Yes it outputs progressive at 30p or 29.97p to be more precise. I am going to make a more extensive video with test footage. The real advantage of high bitrate doesn't affect picture quality as much as the lossless transfer holds up better for editing.
I have the XL H1s and have been shooting in 24 fps, thinking it was progressive, is it not? Love your videos (as someone who grew up in the era of DSLRs and CMOS this channel has helped me a lot!)
The one thing I do miss about shooting tape, is that it was a decent cheap archival format. Just yesterday I had to pull some more footage for a project I'm reediting and that DV tape is from 2003. No problem at all. Over twenty years old and still accessible. For what was probably a $3-4 DV tape at the time. It's just unfortunate it's SD 60i footage. If only the XL1 had the internals of the XL-H1 back in 1998.
It is true that tape has held up far longer than anyone predicted. It is the machines we have issues with working after 40 years. However SD cards are not that expensive. When mine fill up I buy a new one so they are pretty decent archival format. Thanks for watching.
That was a fabulous video. I always loved my XL1 and the form factor. I would buy a Canon today, if they offered a similar form factor! Your adaptation is very thought through and creative. Did you ever take it out and shoot some footage?
I know this is a bit of an older video, but I was wondering if you had tried changing the frame rate on the camera any. I know the manual for the XL-H1S says it can do 24 fps, but I wasn't sure if hooking it up this way would just output the 30fps always for the display or it could output 24fps. Thanks!
Hello, a couple of people asked me about 24 fps. I never really was on the 24 fps bandwagon when that got popular a few years back, so I never messed with it. I'm not sure what would happen if the Blade will convert the 24 to 30 or if the frame rates have to match. My guess is that the Blade will convert on the fly, but I do not know for sure. I will try it later and let you know whst happens. Thanks for watching!
How do you set up an Xlh1A with the samurie blade? The set up has no SDI OUT To turn on? The signal set up on the XLH1A only has Time Code and Comp out.
You cannot connect them directly, you need an audio/video to SDI converter. I dont know if this is a higher quality way of doing it, but I will test it soon. Thanks for watching.
This is really cool. Even more of an excuse for me to buy one haha. Can you give any examples of a more up to date option for capture? Like what would be the sleekest option?
Yes the Samurai Blade is from 2013. A more up to date example would be the Atomos Ninja V. Newer recorders can record up to 8k but that would be a waste on an old 1080i camera. I don't really have a good example of an analog capture box. Every one I've looked at have drawbacks. But if I find one I'll do a video about it. Thanks for watching.
If you mean the XLH1a, then no, not directly. The fundamental difference in the “XLH1a” versus the “XLH1s” is the presence of the SDI port with uncompressed digital video and audio. The XLH1a is missing it. You could get an audio/video to SDI converter and record that way. I don’t know what the quality would look like because it would be in standard definition. Better would be to use an HD output on the camera if it has one and convert that to SDI. Either way you have to perform a conversion which is unfortunate. I intend to demonstrate that in a future video. Thanks for watching.
The XL series do not natively shoot video to SD card. However, as modified in this video you can record HD video to SD card using an SD to SATA adapter.
Thanks for a great video. I have a XL H1a and can probably do the same with my camera. Don't want to buy more tape. Do you know if some kind of adapter can be used, so you can store on SD or CF cards instead of the harddrive?
I hadnt thought to look for such an adapter previously but yes they exist and are not expensive. I probably will get one and try it out. Also can use SSDs instead of harddrives. Thanks for watching.
@@WaybackRewind thats good, this is a great camera to get that vintage dv era look but at the same time keep the higher resolution suitable for color grading
Unfortunately, the Samurai control did not work for me with the same configuration. I tried all the existing variations, but the camera did not start recording. Finally, a 2.5/2.5 mm. Connecting with a LANC cable brought success, now it records simultaneously on tape and SSD. Have a nice day.
Wish I knew this, I upgraded my Canon XHA1 to an XF300 in 2021 to get CF card recordings. Not really sorry though, as the XF does an excellent job. Having said that, would've been nice to have the choice if I had known about this Samurai Blade thingy. I'm presuming this trick would work with an XHA1?… Excellent upload.
Well from my 5 minutes of research unfortunately, the XH A1 does not output uncompressed video through an HD/SD SDI port. So you didn't miss anything. Only the XL H1/H1s and the XH G1 have this functionality. I did this to see if it would work, but in my side by side comparison it was difficult to see a difference. But having a tapeless harddrive made the workflow infinitely easier. I would still recommend it. Thanks for watching.
The XL series only record to tapes. They can be converted to tapeless with an external recorder as I have done here. But out of the box they only record to tape.
Awesome video. I believe vintage is 20+ though. Also it’s not recording 422. It capturing 420 in a 422 container. Likened to upscaling FHD to UHD, it’s not actually 4k, it’s just 1080 spread out over 4k canvas.
Thanks for the compliment. Not sure if "vintage" has a precise definition for video cameras. It literally means "of age" and the exact amount depends on what you are talking about. Antique collectors might say vintage is anything over 40 years old. I use the word for any camera no longer in production. Which can be a lot less than that. As for the 422, I know the Blade is recording in 422 with full 10 bit resolution but I guess you're telling me the camera is only putting out 8 bit 420 in a 10 bit stream? That sounds right. The literature is a little sketchy on what is actually coming out of the camera, but the contemporary reports corroborate what you are saying. But I have seen conflicting reports that the XLH1 puts out Uncompressed 1080/60i 4:2:2 HD-SDI output at 1.485 Gbps. So I'm not really sure. I think the difference may be that if you record directly from the camera section as I did you might get 10 bit, but if you are playing back a tape it''s already been compressed and you don't get those bits back. I'm not sure. It's funny the articles from 2005 complain there is no harddrive solution for recording at that data rate. It would happen, but not for a couple of years. Today that is a trivial task. I don't know the Blade recording dramatically improves the picture. in the side by side comparison, the tape looks pretty good. But the higher bit depth of the 422 ProRes, will hold up better in multiple generations is how I perceive it. Thanks for watching.
@@WaybackRewind Thanks for not taking my critique the wrong way. But yeah I agree, the type data stream coming out of the camera probably wouldn't even make it into the manual for the reasons you've stated. the prosumer tech wasn't invented yet lol. The ONLY true test is to record a clip to DV, then record the same scene (clip) into the recorder. Then take both of those files into the NLE and compare the amount of color information in the parade. My guess is they will both be identical. If in fact the port spit out 422 subsampling I think that would've been discovered by this time, and not to mention if it did, I believe in would've been the first camera in history to have done it. I believe Canon's first Camera to record in 422 subsampling was the Canon C300. I think the only real world advantage to shooting in 8bit422 over 8bit420 would be for green screen applications. Otherwise not really any visible benefit on a final render. If you have time to do this comparison I'd be delighted!
A few videos later I do have a comparison of the tape output versus the output of the recorder. I rendered it to 4K so each screen is in full res 1080. It's hard to see any difference. I don't think my NLE is smart enough to reveal color depth. th-cam.com/video/HPXF9OdFmu8/w-d-xo.html
You've sent me down the rabbit hole of 8 bit 422 versus 10 bit 422. I'm in way over my head. Did I mention I'm not a professional, just an enthusiast? :-) Canon claims this camera has a full implementation of HD-SDI: compliant with SMPTE 292M which has two 10 bit data streams. I don't know exactly what that means, but it's plausible the camera is outputting 10 bit color. A scope would be the only way to know for sure. That is definitely out of my league.
I made a separate videos that show the sample footage and also compare it to the tape. Thanks for watching. th-cam.com/video/-Ksi7_k6OlY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8PQThqJIGB9tBLat th-cam.com/video/HPXF9OdFmu8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=syQCGP0bleAsRV7t
![Canon XL1S Tapeless [ MiniDV to Harddrive Recorder]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FXVSuh6kG8o/mqdefault.jpg)
![Canon XL1S Tapeless [ MiniDV to Harddrive Recorder]](/img/tr.png)
I have created a playlist with sample footage and all the other videos related to the Canon XL Series.
th-cam.com/play/PLSh5LPnUxQZqUNcc2w6AosgfaJ05sKeNx.html
😃
But does it output progressive video. If the output is interlaced like all other DV, then what does it look like when something is moving fast in the image? Would be nice to see some real footage.
Yes it outputs progressive at 30p or 29.97p to be more precise. I am going to make a more extensive video with test footage.
The real advantage of high bitrate doesn't affect picture quality as much as the lossless transfer holds up better for editing.
Thanks for watching.
I have the XL H1s and have been shooting in 24 fps, thinking it was progressive, is it not? Love your videos (as someone who grew up in the era of DSLRs and CMOS this channel has helped me a lot!)
As far as I know, natively it only shoots in interlaced. I havent actually shot anything in 24 frames so let me double check and get back to you.
@@chazznittolo Yes it is progressive scan. I used to the shoot with the XH-A1. Same deal there. Canon called it 24f.
The one thing I do miss about shooting tape, is that it was a decent cheap archival format. Just yesterday I had to pull some more footage for a project I'm reediting and that DV tape is from 2003. No problem at all. Over twenty years old and still accessible. For what was probably a $3-4 DV tape at the time. It's just unfortunate it's SD 60i footage. If only the XL1 had the internals of the XL-H1 back in 1998.
It is true that tape has held up far longer than anyone predicted. It is the machines we have issues with working after 40 years. However SD cards are not that expensive. When mine fill up I buy a new one so they are pretty decent archival format.
Thanks for watching.
That was a fabulous video. I always loved my XL1 and the form factor. I would buy a Canon today, if they offered a similar form factor! Your adaptation is very thought through and creative. Did you ever take it out and shoot some footage?
Thank you for the compliment. Yes I did shoot the sample footage and thanks for watching.
th-cam.com/video/-Ksi7_k6OlY/w-d-xo.html
I created a playlist of all my Canon XL videos just for you.
th-cam.com/play/PLSh5LPnUxQZqUNcc2w6AosgfaJ05sKeNx.html
I know this is a bit of an older video, but I was wondering if you had tried changing the frame rate on the camera any. I know the manual for the XL-H1S says it can do 24 fps, but I wasn't sure if hooking it up this way would just output the 30fps always for the display or it could output 24fps. Thanks!
Hello, a couple of people asked me about 24 fps. I never really was on the 24 fps bandwagon when that got popular a few years back, so I never messed with it. I'm not sure what would happen if the Blade will convert the 24 to 30 or if the frame rates have to match. My guess is that the Blade will convert on the fly, but I do not know for sure. I will try it later and let you know whst happens.
Thanks for watching!
How do you set up an Xlh1A with the samurie blade? The set up has no SDI OUT To turn on? The signal set up on the XLH1A only has Time Code and Comp out.
You cannot connect them directly, you need an audio/video to SDI converter. I dont know if this is a higher quality way of doing it, but I will test it soon.
Thanks for watching.
This is really cool. Even more of an excuse for me to buy one haha. Can you give any examples of a more up to date option for capture? Like what would be the sleekest option?
Yes the Samurai Blade is from 2013. A more up to date example would be the Atomos Ninja V. Newer recorders can record up to 8k but that would be a waste on an old 1080i camera.
I don't really have a good example of an analog capture box. Every one I've looked at have drawbacks. But if I find one I'll do a video about it.
Thanks for watching.
I have to try this, I have many old cameras@!
Can the Samurai be connected to an HLX1a?.
If you mean the XLH1a, then no, not directly. The fundamental difference in the “XLH1a” versus the “XLH1s” is the presence of the SDI port with uncompressed digital video and audio. The XLH1a is missing it.
You could get an audio/video to SDI converter and record that way. I don’t know what the quality would look like because it would be in standard definition.
Better would be to use an HD output on the camera if it has one and convert that to SDI.
Either way you have to perform a conversion which is unfortunate. I intend to demonstrate that in a future video.
Thanks for watching.
does it record to sd card
The XL series do not natively shoot video to SD card. However, as modified in this video you can record HD video to SD card using an SD to SATA adapter.
Thanks for a great video. I have a XL H1a and can probably do the same with my camera. Don't want to buy more tape. Do you know if some kind of adapter can be used, so you can store on SD or CF cards instead of the harddrive?
I hadnt thought to look for such an adapter previously but yes they exist and are not expensive. I probably will get one and try it out. Also can use SSDs instead of harddrives.
Thanks for watching.
Datavideo DN-60 or Firestore recorders
can you record 24p?
Yes! Both the camera and Blade support recording in 24p.
Thanks for watching.
@@WaybackRewind thats good, this is a great camera to get that vintage dv era look but at the same time keep the higher resolution suitable for color grading
Unfortunately, the Samurai control did not work for me with the same configuration. I tried all the existing variations, but the camera did not start recording. Finally, a 2.5/2.5 mm. Connecting with a LANC cable brought success, now it records simultaneously on tape and SSD. Have a nice day.
Thanks for the information. I never did the Samurai control to work either. I'll have to try again with the LANC.
Thanks for watching.
Wish I knew this, I upgraded my Canon XHA1 to an XF300 in 2021 to get CF card recordings. Not really sorry though, as the XF does an excellent job. Having said that, would've been nice to have the choice if I had known about this Samurai Blade thingy. I'm presuming this trick would work with an XHA1?… Excellent upload.
Well from my 5 minutes of research unfortunately, the XH A1 does not output uncompressed video through an HD/SD SDI port. So you didn't miss anything. Only the XL H1/H1s and the XH G1 have this functionality.
I did this to see if it would work, but in my side by side comparison it was difficult to see a difference. But having a tapeless harddrive made the workflow infinitely easier. I would still recommend it.
Thanks for watching.
@@WaybackRewindThanks for the update regardless. 🙏🏿
does it stay on in standby ?
I'm not sure if it will stay on in standby indefinitely or shut off after a period of time. I will check and then get back to you.
cool I used to use the XL2 are they the same
The XL2 is an improved version of thr XL1s. Main difference is native support for 16:9. I have never actually seen one in person.
Thanks for watching.
cool does it record just tapes
The XL series only record to tapes. They can be converted to tapeless with an external recorder as I have done here. But out of the box they only record to tape.
Thanks for this video.
You are so welcome and thanks for watching.
does it record in to SD card
Only still images are recorded to SD card. The Samurai blade can be modified to record to SD though.
I used the Blackmagic 7'' assist to do this.
That is a nice unit. On my list to get someday. How do you like it?
Thanks for watching.
I love it. I actually got it for my c500 mk2 and it also works great with the h1 which is now my collector's item.
@@WaybackRewind
cool does it shoot HD video
Yes of course. 1920 x 1980 29.97p
how is the sound and video
I have a video with sample footage.
th-cam.com/video/-Ksi7_k6OlY/w-d-xo.html
Awesome video. I believe vintage is 20+ though. Also it’s not recording 422. It capturing 420 in a 422 container. Likened to upscaling FHD to UHD, it’s not actually 4k, it’s just 1080 spread out over 4k canvas.
Thanks for the compliment.
Not sure if "vintage" has a precise definition for video cameras. It literally means "of age" and the exact amount depends on what you are talking about. Antique collectors might say vintage is anything over 40 years old. I use the word for any camera no longer in production. Which can be a lot less than that.
As for the 422, I know the Blade is recording in 422 with full 10 bit resolution but I guess you're telling me the camera is only putting out 8 bit 420 in a 10 bit stream? That sounds right.
The literature is a little sketchy on what is actually coming out of the camera, but the contemporary reports corroborate what you are saying.
But I have seen conflicting reports that the XLH1 puts out Uncompressed 1080/60i 4:2:2 HD-SDI output at 1.485 Gbps. So I'm not really sure.
I think the difference may be that if you record directly from the camera section as I did you might get 10 bit, but if you are playing back a tape it''s already been compressed and you don't get those bits back. I'm not sure.
It's funny the articles from 2005 complain there is no harddrive solution for recording at that data rate. It would happen, but not for a couple of years. Today that is a trivial task.
I don't know the Blade recording dramatically improves the picture. in the side by side comparison, the tape looks pretty good. But the higher bit depth of the 422 ProRes, will hold up better in multiple generations is how I perceive it.
Thanks for watching.
@@WaybackRewind Thanks for not taking my critique the wrong way.
But yeah I agree, the type data stream coming out of the camera probably wouldn't even make it into the manual for the reasons you've stated. the prosumer tech wasn't invented yet lol. The ONLY true test is to record a clip to DV, then record the same scene (clip) into the recorder.
Then take both of those files into the NLE and compare the amount of color information in the parade. My guess is they will both be identical. If in fact the port spit out 422 subsampling I think that would've been discovered by this time, and not to mention if it did, I believe in would've been the first camera in history to have done it. I believe Canon's first Camera to record in 422 subsampling was the Canon C300. I think the only real world advantage to shooting in 8bit422 over 8bit420 would be for green screen applications. Otherwise not really any visible benefit on a final render.
If you have time to do this comparison I'd be delighted!
A few videos later I do have a comparison of the tape output versus the output of the recorder. I rendered it to 4K so each screen is in full res 1080. It's hard to see any difference. I don't think my NLE is smart enough to reveal color depth.
th-cam.com/video/HPXF9OdFmu8/w-d-xo.html
@@WaybackRewind Hate to bother, but if you can upload them to Gdrive can I get the two clips from you? If not no worries. Thanks again!
You've sent me down the rabbit hole of 8 bit 422 versus 10 bit 422. I'm in way over my head. Did I mention I'm not a professional, just an enthusiast? :-)
Canon claims this camera has a full implementation of HD-SDI: compliant with SMPTE 292M which has two 10 bit data streams. I don't know exactly what that means, but it's plausible the camera is outputting 10 bit color. A scope would be the only way to know for sure. That is definitely out of my league.
😅
😊 thanks
Where's the footage from the camera???
I made a separate videos that show the sample footage and also compare it to the tape.
Thanks for watching.
th-cam.com/video/-Ksi7_k6OlY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=8PQThqJIGB9tBLat
th-cam.com/video/HPXF9OdFmu8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=syQCGP0bleAsRV7t
lucky you....
hard to fucking find the XLH1s!!!
@@IamFreefromtheWokeLeft Yes and it wasn't cheap. But I have now made several videos about it. Check out my channel. And thanks for watching.