Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product XL1 Canon
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DIGIT AL VIDEO CAMCORDER Instruction Manual CAMÉSCOPE ET LECTEUR VIDEO NUMÉRIQUES Mode d’emploi VIDEOCÁMARA Y GRAB ADORA DIGIT AL Manual de Instrucciones ENGLISH FRANÇAIS ESP AÑOL Mi n i D igit.
Introduction 2 E W ARNING: T O REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NO T EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT T O RAIN OR MOISTURE. Impor tant Usage Instructions Digital Video Camcorder , XL1 This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Introduction 3 E IMPOR T ANT SAFETY INSTR UCTIONS In these safety instructions the word “product” refers to the Canon Digital Video Camcorder DM-XL1A and all its accessories. 1. Read Instructions — All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the product is operated.
Introduction 4 E 19. Damage Requiring Service — Disconnect this product from the wall outlet and all power sources including battery , and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a. When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
~ When Making Manual Adjustments ...~ Adjusting the Focus ..........................................44 Adjusting the Exposure ......................................45 Using AE Shift ..................................................46 Using the Zebra Pattern .
Introduction 6 E Thank y ou for choosing a Canon The XL1 is supplied with the following accessories: WL-D2000 Wireless Controller T wo AAA batteries SS-1000 Shoulder Strap Lens cap BP-927 Battery Pack.
Introduction 7 E Choose to operate the XL1 using the Manual recording program to access the complete set of manual functions, for exceptional creative freedom. From wide-angle to 16 × telephoto — with unparalleled optical quality . The digital zoom doubles this magnification for even more dramatic results.
Preparation 8 E Any lens bearing the mark can be used with this camcorder . 1. Remove the dust cap from the lens and the body cap fr om the camcorder . 2. Align the red dot on the camera body with the mount positioning point (the red dot) on the lens, then turn the lens clockwise until it clicks and locks into place.
Preparation 9 E 1. Remove the lens cap. 2. Align the hood with the lens lengthways, and the Canon logo facing to the left. 3. T wist it 90° into position (clockwise), so that the Canon logo is to the top. • Y ou do not need to assert any pressure — screw the hood lightly into place.
Preparation 10 E Y ou can slide the viewfinder unit along the bracket to a position that best suits you — for use with either the left or right eye. 1. Loosen the locking screw and slide the unit to the position you require along the bracket. 2. Tighten the locking screw .
Preparation 11 E T o monitor the scene with your eye near to the viewfinder turn the EYE POINT SELECT switch to NEAR. T o view the scene at a distance from the viewfinder , turn the switch to F AR.
Preparation 12 E 1. Loosen the microphone attachment screw on the viewfinder unit and insert the microphone into the microphone clamp. 2. Align the mark on the microphone with the mark on the clamp and tighten the screw to hold the micr ophone firmly in place.
Preparation 13 E P owering the XL1 Before operating your camera, you will need to use the power adapter to: provide power from an AC outlet or charge a battery pack Notes: • The power adapter converts current from a household power socket (100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz) to the DC current used by your camera.
Preparation 14 E Charging and attaching the battery pack Y our battery pack was partially charged before it left the factory . It should have enough power for you to check that your camera is working properly . However, you must char ge the battery pack fully if you want it to power the camera for more than a few minutes.
Preparation 15 E Loading a Cassette 1. Make sure that you have inserted a power source. 2. Slide the EJECT 5 button across to release the cover . • W ait a couple of seconds for the cassette compartment to open automatically . 3. Load or unload the cassette.
Preparation 16 E Protecting tapes from accidental erasure T o protect your recording from accidental erasure, slide the tab on the cassette so that it exposes the hole and the red mark. (This switch position is usually labeled SA VE or ERASE OFF .) If you load this cassette and put the camera in record pause mode (p.
Preparation 17 E Suppor ting the Camera • For extra comfort and control, attach the shoulder pad to the camera. • Clip the adapter unit onto the base of the camcorder and tighten the fixing screw using a coin. • When you are not using the shoulder pad, fold it in towards the camera until it clicks into the storage position.
Preparation 18 E Selecting from the Menus Many of the camera’ s advanced functions are selected from menus which appear in the viewfinder . There are two main menus: 1. Camera menu (when the camera is in r ecord pause mode: the POWER dial set to a recording program.
Preparation 19 E PHOTO SELF TIMER W T ZOOM START/ STOP DATA CODE ON SCREEN MENU POWER VCR OFF Tv Av M A MENU 4 , 5 , 6 3 , 7 1 2 1. T urn the POWER dial to a recording program or to VCR. 2. Slide open the red cover to reveal the menu operation keys. 3.
Preparation 20 E Using the Wireless Contr oller/T ally Lamps The supplied wireless controller can operate the camera from a distance of up to 16 feet (5 m). Point it at either of the camera’ s remote sensors while you press the buttons. The tally lamps light up to let you know that the camera is in range and responding to your commands.
Preparation 21 E T urning off the tally lamps The tally lamps let you know that the camera is recording. However , the flashing of the front lamp may be reflected into the lens during close-up recording, or when recording through glass. Y ou may therefore decide to turn them of f.
Preparation 22 E Setting the Date and Time The date and/or time display forms part of the data code. Y ou can choose to display or hide it during playback (see p. 54). Set the date and time display when you first start using your camera. Install the backup battery before you begin (see p.
Recording E 23 Basic Recording • Attach a power source (p. 13). • Load a cassette (p. 15). • Remove the lens cap and fasten the shoulder pad (p. 17). • Adjust the viewfinder (p. 10). • Choose your grip — side or top (p. 65). Y ou may also want to install the backup battery (p.
Recording E 24 Y ou can record and play back a tape in SP (standard play) and LP (long play) modes. LP extends tape usage by 1.5 times. T o switch to LP mode, select REC MODE from the camera or VCR menu, select LP and then close the menu (for instructions on how to use the menus, refer to page 18).
Recording E 25 Zooming (for Zoom Lenses) Operate the zoom controls from either the side grip or the camera handle. T urn the zoom control towards W to zoom out to wide-angle. T urn it towards T to zoom in to telephoto. Y ou can also zoom in and out using the lens’ s zoom ring.
Recording E 26 32 × digital zoom Activate the digital zoom to double the camera’ s zoom range. The zoom control continues to work as usual — the camera automatically switches between optical zooming and digital zooming. • Image resolution is slightly lower when the magnification exceeds the optical zoom range.
Recording E 27 T urning the SuperRange Optical Image Stabiliz er On/Off ON STABILIZER OFF The Optical Image Stabilizer can compensate for a wide range of camera movement — you can record stable images even if you are shooting from a moving car .
Recording E 28 On bright days or when recording very bright scenes, despite the iris being at its smallest aperture, blurring of the image may occur . In such cases, using an ND filter should remove this problem. The 16 × zoom lens XL comes with a built-in ND filter .
Recording E 29 T aking Still Pictures (Photo Mode) Y ou can record still pictures like a photograph. The camera records the picture to tape for approximately 6 seconds. The exposure is automatically adjusted. There are two PHOTO buttons, to let you take still images from both gripping positions.
Recording E 30 Choosing the Movie Mode (Normal/Frame) The Frame mode can be used when you want to look at a video, scene by scene, free from field slippage (the “flicker” that normally occurs when you pause a video). The vertical resolution of the image is improved by 1.
Recording E 31 Sear ching and Revie wing While Recor ding When the camera is in record pause mode, you can use record review to play back the last few seconds of your recording and then return automatically to record pause mode. 1. Make sure the camera is in record pause mode.
Recording E 32 Using the V arious Recording Pr ograms The camera provides you with a choice of six recording programs. They use different combinations of camera settings in order to adjust the exposure and other functions to match the recording situation.
Recording E 33 Select this program for total creative freedom when operating the camcorder . Y ou can set aperture and shutter speeds completely independently to give you exactly the exposure you require. There are 27 shutter speed settings, between 1/60 and 1/15000 of a second and 27 aperture values, between f/1.
Recording E 34 Use this program to let you select the aperture (iris diameter) to give you maximum control over the depth of field. A large F number (a small aperture) gives a greater depth of field. Giving priority to the aper ture (aperture-priority: A v) Av Av F2.
Recording E 35 • The flashing display changes to show which effect you can select. • The camera only displays selectable effects. Activ ating the Slo w Shutter D.EFFECT SELECT ON/OFF POWER VCR OFF Tv Av M A E - T F A D No Display W S S L O 0 . 3 O O M D .
Recording E 36 The XL1 can record sound in three audio modes: • 16-bit (48kHz, 2 channel) for the highest sound quality • 12-bit ST -1 (32kHz, 2 from 4 channels) for recording on two channels (stereo 1), leaving two channels (stereo 2) free for you to add new sound at a later date.
Recording E 37 Set the input for Stereo 1 in one of two ways, A or B, depending on the source for the input: Setting the A udio Input — T wo Channel Recor ding 1. Change the audio mode at the menu if necessary (see page 36). 2. Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to AUDIO 1.
Recording E 38 In normal recording conditions, the camera sets the audio recording level automatically as long as you slide the REC LEVEL switch to A (automatic). Y ou can also set the recording level manually: 1. Set the recording level for stereo 1 in exactly the same way as for two channel recording.
Recording E 39 Press the AUDIO MONIT OR button to make a sound check — stereo 1 only (ST1), stereo 2 only (ST2) or both (MIX) [each in turn]. • Y our choice is selected a few seconds after you last pressed the button, and shown in the viewfinder and audio LCD panel.
Recording E 40 Set the fade trigger each time you wish to use it (both before you fade in and again before you fade out). F ADE-T is shown constantly in the viewfinder when it is ready for use. 1. T urn the POWER dial to any r ecording program (except Easy Recording).
Recording E 41 Notes: • Y ou cannot select a different digital effect while the fade trigger is still turned on. • Y ou can turn the fade trigger of f before you use it by pressing the D.EFFECT ON/OFF button again. • Y ou are unable to use the fade trigger with the Easy Recording program.
Recording E 42 Setting the Self-Timer 1. Press the wireless controller’s SELF TIMER button. • SELF TIMER appears in the viewfinder . 2 Press the wireless controller’s ST ART/ST OP button. • The camera starts to record after a 2 second countdown period (or after 10 seconds if you press the start/stop button on the camera).
Recording E 43 Using a Canon Speedlite f or Flash Photograph y (optional) For SLR-style flash photography , attach a Canon Speedlite 380EX to the camera using the optional F A-100 Flash Adaptor . Attach its hot shoe cube to the XL1’ s accessory shoe, and the flash cable to the flash adapter terminal.
Recording E 44 Adjusting the Focus The camera can focus automatically . All you have to do is point it, and whatever is in the center of the display will usually be in sharp focus. If it does not seem to be focusing well, it may be because the subject is not suitable for autofocus (page 70).
Recording E 45 Adjusting the Exposure Notes: • Y ou cannot lock the exposure in the M (Manual) recording program. • The standard exposure level depends on which recording program you have selected, but the shutter normally operates at 1/60 of a second.
Recording E 46 By controlling the level of the automatic exposure (AE) function, you can lighten or darken the image slightly . This allows you to compensate for backlit subjects or subjects with predominately dark or light tones. Using AE Shift 1. T urn the POWER dial to the Auto, Tv or A v r ecording program.
Recording E 47 The zebra pattern is a series of diagonal stripes that appear in the viewfinder to highlight areas of overexposure. Use as a guide to setting the aperture (iris) and shutter speed. 1. Open the camera menu and select ZEBRA. 2. Select the ON setting and close the menu.
Recording E 48 When the GAIN knob is set to n (auto) the camera adjusts the gain automatically . Y ou can also rotate the GAIN dial to one of the five preset levels that range from –3 to +12 dB. 1. T urn the POWER dial to any r ecording program except [ [ (Easy Recording) or (Spotlight).
1. T urn the POWER dial to any recording program (except the [ Easy Recording program). 2. Press the white balance selector knob so that it pops out. Y ou can now turn it to choose between A for auto white balance, for indoor lighting, for outdoor lighting, or turn it to the right to set the white balance manually .
Recording E 50 Notes: • If the lighting conditions change, reset the white balance by first returning to the auto setting, and then reselecting the manual balance. • T ry to record with light from a single source. Correct white balance cannot be obtained for two types of lighting at once.
Playbac k E 51 Pla ying back a Cassette Y ou can use the viewfinder for instant, on-the-spot playback. T o play back your recordings on a TV , see p. 56.
Playbac k E 52 Playback Pause T o view the video as a still picture press the P AUSE a button. T o resume normal playback, press it again, or press the PLA Y e button. The camera automatically goes into stop mode after about five minutes’ playback pause.
Playbac k E 53 Note: • Mosaic-like noise appears on the screen during some of the VCR modes. These can only be operated from the wireless controller (p. 20) Frame Advance T o play back frame by frame, press the +/ ae button repeatedly during playback pause.
Playbac k E 54 A data code, containing the date and time the recording was made and other camera data (shutter speed and exposure settings) is automatically recorded on a special data section of the tape.
Playbac k E 55 Sear ching Thr ough Y our Recorded “Photos” (Photo Searc h) Move quickly through still pictures recorded anywhere on a tape. • Y ou can only use this function from the W ireless Controller . 1. T urn the POWER dial to VCR. 2. Press the and buttons to move backwards or forwards through the still pictures.
Playbac k E 56 Connections for Playbac k on a TV Screen Y ou can connect the camera to a TV or VCR in order to play back your recordings. Y ou will need to attach a power source to the camera (see p. 13). See your TV or VCR instruction manual for further details.
Playbac k E 57 R L V L R S AUDIO 1 S-VIDEO AUDIO VIDEO STV -150 Stereo Video Cable S-150 S-video Cable Editing to a VCR 1. Find a point on your recorded cassette slightly ahead of the section you want to copy . 2. Start to play it back while you monitor the picture on the TV .
Playbac k E 58 REC Digital video equipment fitted with this terminal lets you edit, copy and transfer data digitally , with imperceptible loss in image and sound quality . The DV terminal is for both line-in and line-out, since a single DV cable can handle data in both directions.
Playbac k E 59 REMOTE The REMOTE m terminal allows you to connect the camera to editing equipment. Some buttons on editing equipment may operate differently from those on the camera. • m (LANC) is a trademark. It stands for Local Application Control Bus System.
Playbac k E 60 a) Press the AUDIO MONITOR button to display “STEREO1”, “STEREO2”, and “MIX”, each in turn. • Y our choice is selected a few seconds after you last pressed the button. If you choose “MIX” you can go on to mix the balance.
Playbac k E 61 (ii) Choosing the output channel 1. Make sure the camera is set to VCR mode. 2. Open the menu and select the output channel. Notes: • When you have chosen the output, “STEREO1”, “STEREO2”, or “MIX” is shown in the top left of the viewfinder and in the audio LCD panel.
Additional Information E 62 Notes on Using the Batteries Charging and recording times Battery pack BP-927 BP-941 (supplied) (option) T ime needed for full recharge 3h 50 min. 4h 40 min. Maximum recording time 1h 30 min. 2h 15 min. • These times may vary .
Additional Information E 63 T aking care of the batter y pac k Always attach the terminal cover . • Do not allow any metal objects to touch the terminals, as this can cause a short circuit and damage the battery pack. Attach the terminal cover whenever the battery pack is not being used.
Additional Information E 64 Cautions: • Do not pick up the battery using tweezers or other metal tools — this will cause a short circuit. • W ipe the battery with a clean, dry cloth to ensure proper contact.
Additional Information E 65 Camera Holding Styles For maximum stability , place your right hand through the side grip belt and keep your right elbow pressed against your body . Rest the rear of the camera against the front of your shoulder and then support the lens with your left hand.
Additional Information E 66 Maintenance A void high temperatures and high humidity . • Do not leave the camera inside a car in hot weather , for example. • Be careful of heat radiating from video lighting equipment. • Do not take the camera into a humid room.
Additional Information E 67 Power sources • Y ou can use the compact power adapter to operate your camera and char ge battery packs in any country where the electricity supply is between 1 10 and 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Contact your Canon dealer for information about plug adapters for overseas use.
Additional Information E 68 Condensation Condensation may form on the camera when it is moved from a cold place to a warm place. Using the camera while condensation is present can damage both the tape and the camera.
Additional Information E 69 T r oubleshooting Cause and/or what to do about it • The camera is not switched on (p. 23, 51). • The cassette is not loaded or is set for erasure prevention (p. 15-16). • The tape has reached the end. • The battery pack is exhausted or not properly attached (p.
Additional Information E 70 Note: Some subjects are not suitable for autofocus. In these situations, you will often get better results using manual focus (see p. 44). • Horizontal stripes • Many subjects at different distances • Behind glass • W ithout much contrast (e.
Additional Information E 71 Cause and/or what to do about it • The remote sensor is turned off (p. 21). • The batteries are dead or not inserted. • They are turned off (p. 21). • This is unlikely , but may happen if you use the camera in places where the air pressure is low , in an airplane for example.
Additional Information E 72 The XL1 System Diagram (A vailability differs from area to area) BP-911, BP-914, BP-924, BP-927, BP-941 Battery Pack WL-D2000 Wireless Controller MiniD V Video Cassette FS-72U Filter Set Extender XL 1.6 × 16 × Zoom Lens 3 × Zoom XL 3.
Additional Information E 73 HC-3000 System Case A solid, lockable case that provides safe and stylish protection for the camera during transportation and storage. MA-100 Micr ophone Adapter/Shoulder Pad Allows you to use a mic. that has XLR connectors with the XL1, plus makes shoulder-mounted shooting possible.
Additional Information E 74 VL-10Li Battery V ideo Light This compact yet powerful video light can be used for both indoor and outdoor shooting. • Lithium ion battery packs can be used to power the light. Approximate usage times are as follows: BP-91 1 45 min BP-924 90 min BP-914 50 min BP-927 100 min BP-941 160 min Extender XL 1.
Additional Information E 75 380EX Speedlite Attaches to the XL1 to give SLR-style flash photography (the optional F A-100 Flash Adapter is also necessary). CH-900 Dual Battery Charger/ Holder This holds two battery packs and can char ge them both consectively .
Additional Information E 76 Finding Y our W ay Around the XL1 LIGHT Remote sensor (p. 21) Tally lamp (p. 21) Accessory shoe (p. 43) Stereo microphone (p. 12) Viewfinder cable (p. 67) Zooming ring (p. 25) Focusing ring (p. 44) Lens hood (p.9 ) EXP. LOCK button (p.
Additional Information E 77 AE Shift dial (p. 46) Audio LCD panel (p. 84) Remote sensor (p. 21) Tally lamp (p. 21) AUDIO 2 RCA jack (R) (p. 60) AUDIO 2 RCA jack (L) (p. 60) EJECT button (p. 15) BATT. RELEASE button (p. 13) Microphone cable (p. 12) PHOTO button (p.
Additional Information E 78 T W PHOTO START/STOP HOLD REC SHUTTER REC SEARCH EVF DISPLAY ON/OFF D.EFECT SELECT ON/OFF Zoom control (p. 25, 65) START/STOP button (p. 23, 65) HOLD lever (p. 65) PHOTO button (p. 29, 65) PAUSE button (p. 52) STOP button (p.
Additional Information E 79 PHOTO SELF TIMER W T ZOOM START/ STOP AUDIO MONITOR REVERSE FORWARD JOG SHUTTLE DATA CODE ON SCREEN MENU MIX BALANCE PHOTO SEARCH ST-2 ST-1 REW PAUSE SLOW PLAY STOP FF 2 + START/STOP button (p. 23) SELF TIMER button (p. 42) ON SCREEN button (p.
Additional Information E 80 Screen Displays T o display the date and time on a connected TV , press the wireless controller ’ s DA T A CODE button when the camera is in VCR mode with a tape loaded. Press the wireless controller ’ s ON SCREEN button to see the other displays on the TV screen.
Additional Information E 81 F 1 / 1 2 0 0 : A M J A N 2 . 8 1 9 9 7 500 . . 1 L E N S Playback pause (forward and reverse) (p. 52) Slow playback (forward and reverse) (p.53) × 2 playback (forward and reverse) (p. 53) × 1 playback (forward and reverse) (p.
Additional Information E 82 The 16:9 effects: the display flashes when the effect hasbeen selected, and appears steadily when it is activated (p. 41). Digital ef fects: the display flashes when the function has being selected and appears steadily when it is activated (p.
Additional Information E 83 Appears when the battery pack is exhausted (p. 14, 62). Appears when the tape has reached the end. Refer to page 16. Appears when you press the 2 (record) button if the DV cable is not connected properly (p. 58). Refer to page 68.
Additional Information E 84 Main LCD panel A udio LCD panel 0 2 6 20 40 30 ST - 1 MIX ST - 2 50 R L -d B 1 2 M A N U P B P B Recording mode (p. 24) Exposure lock (p. 45) F number (aperture siz e) (p. 34) A udio mode (p. 36) L, R Recording levels (p. 38) Shutter speed (p.
Additional Information E 85 Specifications XL1 Power Supply (rated): 7.2 V DC Power Consumption (while recording, AF=ON): 9.5 W (Approx., recording with the AF turned on) T elevision system: EIS stand.
Additional Information E 86 Index Å Abroad, Using the Camera, 67 Accessories, 6, 73 Adapter , AC, 13 AE Programs, 32 AE Shift, 46 Audio Input, 37 Audio Output, 60 Audio/V ideo T erminals, 56 Auto, 33.
CANON CONSUMER DIGIT AL VIDEO EQUIPMENT LIMITED W ARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by Canon Canada Inc. (“Canon Canada”) with respect to Canon digital video equipment purchased in Canada.
U .S.A. CANON U .S.A., INC. NEW JERSEY OFFICE 100 Jamesburg Road, Jamesburg, NJ 08831 USA CANON U .S.A., INC. CHICA GO OFFICE 100 Park Blvd., Itasca, IL 60143 USA CANON U .S.A., INC. LOS ANGELES OFFICE 15955 Alton Parkway , Irvine, CA 92718 USA CANON U .
An important point after buying a device Canon XL1 (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Canon XL1 yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Canon XL1 - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Canon XL1 you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Canon XL1 will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Canon XL1, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Canon XL1.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Canon XL1. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Canon XL1 along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
