The Canon XL1S is a professional camcorder designed for broadcasting applications and other professional video applications. With its interchangeable lens system, three CCDs (one for each primary color), optical image stabilizer and pixel shift technology, the XL1S has superior video quality.
Setting Up
Mount the viewfinder by sliding it into the holder and screwing in the locking screw; adjust the position of the viewfinder to the user's personal preference and tighten it in place. Remove the body cap from the camcorder body and the rear lens cap from the lens that comes with the kit, align the red dots on the camcorder body and lens body and slot the lens into place, then turn it clockwise to lock it. Attach the lens hood to the lens. If using the included microphone instead of a custom one, slide the microphone into the holder and run the connecting cable to the microphone input on the right side of the camcorder by the viewfinder bracket. Attach the lens cap. For extra support, attach the shoulder holder in place; for extra security, attach the shoulder strap, then tighten the grip strap across your hand.
If using AC power for extended recording, slide the DC coupler into place in the battery compartment; if not, charge the battery and put it in place.
Recording
The XL1S is a standard definition camcorder and records on miniDV cassettes. Turn on the camcorder, slide the eject button on the holder near the back right side of the camcorder to open the cassette holder and slide a DV tape in place; press the push mark to load the cassette, then close the compartment door. Rotate the mode dial on the left side of the camcorder to the blank square for easy automatic recording. if the attached lens is a telephoto lens, press the T button on either the viewfinder bracket or the camcorder body above the grip strap to zoom in; press W to zoom out. Press the start button to start recording; press the button again to stop recording.
Audio
As a professional camcorder, the XL1S offers better audio than most camcorders, as well as finer control over the audio settings. On the back of the camcorder is a volume level control for the microphone, as well as a left-right balance knob. There is also an independent audio input for a left/right stereo signal from an RCA input on the camera, with independent level controls for left right. The camcorder can do a four-channel audio recording using both inputs; this is turned on in the menu system by pressing VCR setup, then selecting audio mode, then selecting 12 bit, ST1 ST2. If recording from just a single input, put the audio mode in 16 bit/48 kHz for the highest sound quality.
Tags: camcorder body, side camcorder, Attach lens, attach shoulder, audio mode
