Total Image Control
By giving the operator total control of more than 23 independently adjustable variables, the XH G1 and XH A1 enable the capture of the perfect look in HD.
Gain Settings—Select automatic gain control or one of 3 preset gains (low, medium, or high), which can be assigned values from -3 dB to +36 dB.
White Balance—Numerous white balance modes are provided to ensure color accuracy in a variety of shooting situations. The auto- matic modes use a high-precision 128-segment through-the-lens metering system.
Auto—Provides automatic adjustment of white balance.
Outdoor—Balances for bright sunlight (5600°K), can be customized. Indoor—Balances for incandescent lighting (3200°K), can be cus- tomized.
Color Temperature—Balances to a specifically selected value between 2800–12000°K in 100°K increments.
Custom Presets A and B—Enables two manual white balance settings to be programmed for instant recall.
Black—Three settings (STRETCH, MIDDLE, PRESS) provide a choice of dynamic range adjustment affecting the dark areas of the image. STRETCH expands the range, providing greater shadow
detail. PRESS narrows the range, increasing the deep black con- tent of the image.
Knee—Four settings (AUTO, HIGH, MIDDLE, LOW) provide a choice of dynamic range (knee point) adjustment in the highlight areas to control overexposure when shooting high-brightness subjects. The HIGH setting enables high-key shooting, while the LOW setting provides maximum protection from overexposure.
Gamma—The NORMAL gamma curve provides the best results for conventional viewing on a TV monitor. CINE 1 creates images that resemble the quality and appearance of film as viewed on TV. The CINE 2 setting selects an appropriate gamma curve for images that are to be transferred to film.
Master Pedestal—Adjustments from -9 to +9 sets the video refer- ence black. Higher values brighten the darker areas of the image, reducing overall contrast.
Setup Level—Black level can be adjusted from -9 to +9.
Sharpness—Image sharpness can be adjusted from -9 to +9.
Horizontal Detail Frequency (HIGH, MIDDLE, LOW)—Adjusts the H detail center frequency. Horizontal/Vertical Detail Balance (-9 to +9) adjusts the H/V proportion of the detail correction.
Noise Reduction 1 and Noise Reduction 2 (both with OFF, HIGH, MIDDLE, LOW settings)—Provide a variety of methods and levels of noise reduction to accommodate numerous shooting situations and desired image qualities.
Color Matrix—NORMAL, CINE 1, and CINE 2 adjust the color during the shooting. The NORMAL setting is a matrix based on the assumption that images will be reviewed on a TV monitor. If CINE 1 is selected, the resulting quality and grayscale resemble those of a movie film. This is a matrix for creating images on TV that appear like movies. The CINE 2 setting is a matrix that is for images being transferred to film.
Color Gain/Phase—Adjustable from -50 to +50 and -9 to +9 respectively.
Master Red, Blue, and Green Gain settings—Independently adjustable from -50 to +50, provide precise control over color balance.
Six Color Matrixes—RG, RB, GR, GB, BR, and BG matrixes, each independently adjustable from -50 to +50, provide even finer color control capability by altering two of the three primaries.
Skin Detail
Sky Detail
Shutter Priority
The XH G1 and XH A1 provide advanced features that improve image viewability and maximize visual appeal. Skin Detail mode minimizes imperfections, such as blemishes and wrinkles, without removing detail in other areas of the image. Three intensity levels are provided, and an alternating zebra pattern in the viewfinder simplifies
the process of selecting the desired area for the effect. Sky Detail can be used to enhance outdoor footage by removing unwanted detail and noise in the sky. Clear Scan eliminates the flicker and black bands that usually result when shooting a computer or other CRT screen. Frequency is adjustable from 50.2 Hz to 200.3 Hz to accommodate a wide variety of monitors.
Program AE Modes
Seven programmed Auto Exposure modes simplify the selection of camera settings for a variety of everyday and special shooting situations.
Easy Recording—This “point-and-shoot” mode lets the camera make all the key decisions. The camcorder automatically sets focus, shutter speed, aperture, gain, white balance, and AE program shift as required to deliver the most pleasing video images.
Auto—Similar to Easy Recording, this mode also provides point-and-shoot operating simplicity. However, it gives the operator the option of manually changing the settings.
Shutter Priority—The user selects the shutter speed, and the camera auto- matically selects the proper aperture for correct exposure.
Aperture Priority—The user selects the lens aperture, and the camera auto- matically selects the proper shutter speed for correct exposure.
Manual—The user can select any combination of aperture and shutter speed. Indicators in the viewfinder show the relation of selected combina- tions to the exposure as metered by the camera.
Spotlight—This mode automatically adjusts exposure for optimum results when the subject is illumi- nated by concentrated light source (such as a spotlight) while the background is relatively dark.
Night—The camera uses slower shutter speeds to enable capture as ambient light levels begin to fall.
Canon Console Software
Canon Console Software
Canon Console is an advanced software package developed to address the creative needs of XH G1 and XH A1 users. Incorporating many of the traditional aspects of a camera control unit, Console runs on a laptop or desktop computer and provides tools for creative expression as well as remote access to basic camera settings and operations. Functions, such as a vectorscope and waveform monitor, enable critical evaluation of the
camera signal. Users can also capture the camera’s video output directly to a computer’s hard drive.
Console’s REC PANEL includes five windows:
Rec Viewer—Live video, clip count- er, audio meter and controls, color/monochrome settings, split-screen, and zebra levels. Camera Control—Remote opera- tion of most camera functions. Vector and Waveform Monitors— Professional tools for checking video signal quality.
Focus Assist—Aids for achieving
precise focus, such as electronic zoom and black-and-white view. Custom Preset—Multiple settings for comprehensive image control.
Console’s PLAY PANEL features three windows that enable review of captured footage or recall of any existing clips or stills that may be stored on a hard drive or memory card:
Play Viewer—Displays selected clip with a running counter. Users can adjust playback speed and view audio monitor settings.
File Browser—Enables users to select the clip to be shown in the Play Viewer.
Vector and Waveform Monitors—Enables critical evaluation of recorded material.
