Abstract
Data for this addendum is taken from a short examination of one production model of the Canon XH G1
HDV camcorder. It has 3 16:9 1”/3 ccd sensors of 1440x1080 pixel dimensions (4.5mm diagonal). It
records interlaced HDTV using the HDV algorithm onto standard mini DV tapes (1080i) and progressive
HDTV using a Canon proprietary format onto the same tape and at the same data rate, and SDTV using
normal DV format. The A1 (not tested here) is a slightly simplified version of the G1.
The camera is relatively light (about 2.1kg excluding battery) and has an integral lens and viewfinder, with
side lcd panel, and seems aimed at the middle to high-end consumer/low-end professional market rather than
full broadcast, which would normally demand interchangeable lenses and better control.
It has internal menus for setting the performance, not as complex as in a full broadcast camera, but enough to
control some of the important features, albeit only in “on/off” states. It is possibly suited to multi-camera
operation because it has an HDSDI connector for video output (not in the A1). This potentially makes it
useful in the broadcast and other high-end markets. It has analogue video outputs (3.5mm jacks and BNC on
the G1) and digits via IEEE1394 Firewire.
The same assessment procedure was used as for other HD cameras, partly attempting to get a good “filmlook”,
and the settings reflect that. However, because of the lack of internal test signals, and as a result of
some of the initial measurements, that approach was quickly abandoned and efforts were directed at getting a
decent colorimetric performance from the camera. Assuming that a grading operation will be used in postproduction,
the settings attempt to give the colourist a reasonable exposure range, but this is inevitably wellshort
of what a film stock could be expected to deliver.
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