Canon XL1 Instruction Manual

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Searching and Reviewing While Recording
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.
2. Press and release the 
c (record review) button while you check the picture in the
viewfinder.
¥ The camera rewinds the tape, plays back the last few seconds, and returns to record pause mode.
Note:
¥ Noise may appear on the screen during record search and record review.
RECSEARCH
When the camera is in record pause mode, you can
use record search to play the tape forwards or
backwards to find the point where you want to start
or restart recording.
Record search
Record review
1. Make sure the camera is in record pause mode.
2. Press and hold the REC SEARCH + or Ð button while you check the picture in the
viewfinder.
¥ The + button plays the recording forwards and the Ð button plays it backwards.
3. Release the button when you find the point where you want to start recording.
¥ The camera returns to record pause mode. 
						

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Using the Various Recording Programs
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.
The name of your selected recording program appears constantly on the left of the display, with the
exception of the Easy Recording program whose 
[mark is displayed and then disappears after 4 seconds.
Notes:
¥ Avoid changing programs during recording as the brightness of the image may change suddenly.
¥ The specialized AE programs are not suitable for all kinds of lighting. The image may flicker, or a bright
line may appear on the screen if you use them in the wrong lighting conditions.
The simplest way to use the camera is with the
POWER dial set to the 
[ position. The camera
will take care of focus, exposure and other
adjustments, leaving you free to point and shoot.
POWER
VCR
OFF
Tv
Av
MA
Easy Recording
If you select this Easy Recording program, you cannot use:
¥ Frame movie mode
¥ Exposure lock or adjust the aperture
¥ White balance settings
¥ AGC gain
¥ Shutter settings
¥ 16:9 effect
¥ Slow shutter effects
¥ Fade trigger
Also, turning off the autofocus and image stabilizer at the lens has no effect.
[ 
						

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Select this program for total creative freedom when
operating the camcorder. You 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/1.6 and f/16 (you can also close the iris.)
Manual
Spotlight
The exposure is automatically adjusted for 
glare-free recordings of subjects lit by a
concentrated light source.
Auto
In normal recording conditions, set the POWER
dial to 
n (Auto). This is the same as the Easy
Recording program, except that you now have the
option of using any of the cameraÕs manual
functions Ñ you can adjust focus and exposure, set
the white balance, and so on. 
A
M
AUTO
SPOTLIGHT 
						

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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 aperture (aperture-priority: Av)
Av
Av F2.8
Use this program to let you select the shutter
speed.
The camera sets the appropriate aperture 
(F number) automatically to give the correct
exposure. 
When you turn the POWER dial to Tv, the current
shutter speed is shown in the viewfinder. Select
your desired shutter speed by pressing the
SHUTTER 
rand tbuttons.
Giving priority to shutter speed (shutter-priority: Tv)
Tv
Tv 1000
You can choose 9 shutter speeds between 1/60 and 1/15,000 of a second.
¥ If you try to set a shutter speed that is either too high or too low for the shooting conditions, the indicator
flashes in the viewfinder. In this case, increase or decrease the setting until the flashing stops, or slide the
ND FILTER switch ON/OFF as appropriate before changing the setting.
Notes:
¥ You can also set the XL1 for slow shutter shooting using the slow shutter digital effects (p. 35).
¥ When recording in extreme low-light conditions, we recommend the use of a Canon Speedlite or Video
Light (available as optional accessories, see page 73). 
¥ Under very bright conditions when you have set the F number to f/16, blurring of the image may occur.
Check the image in the viewfinder while setting the aperture.
¥ When a lens that has a built-in ND filter is attached, if you switch the filter on, the intensity of the light is
reduced and the image in the viewfinder may go dark. In such a case, switch the filter off and change the
aperture setting.
¥ When shooting in the 
[(Easy Recording) or n(Auto) programs on bright sunny days outdoors, the
camera may display ÒND ONÓ/ÒND OFFÓ repeatedly. In this case, it may be effective to switch to the Av
recording program and adjust the setting of the F number to between f/5.6 and f/11 (the shutter speed may
become higher than usual).
The camera sets the appropriate shutter speed automatically to give the correct exposure. When you turn the
POWER dial to Av the current F number is shown in the viewfinder. Select your desired F number by
turning the IRIS wheel.
You can choose 8 F numbers between f/1.6 and f/16, and CLOSE to shut the iris completely. If you try to
set an F number that is too high or too low for the shooting conditions, the indicator flashes in the
viewfinder. In this case, increase or decrease the setting until the flashing stops.
Note:
¥ The camera memorizes the latest Tv or Av value until a new value is set. 
Turning off the camcorder or changing the recording program does not erase the stored value. 
						

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¥ The flashing display changes to show which
effect you can select.
¥ The camera only displays selectable effects.
Activating the Slow Shutter
D.EFFECT
SELECT
ON/OFF
POWER
VCR
OFF
Tv
Av
MA
E- T FADNo Display
W S SLO 0.3 OO M D. ZW S SLO 5.1
W S SLO . 8
3. Press the D.EFFECT ON/OFF button to activate the slow shutter.
¥ The name of your chosen effect is shown constantly in the viewfinder.
4. The slow shutter will remain activated until you press the D.EFFECT ON/OFF button to
deactivate it. When deactivated, the effect name flashes in the display and you can then
press the D.EFFECT SELECT button to select a different digital effect, or to turn the
digital effects off completely by choosing the blank display.
Notes:
¥ You cannot select a different digital effect while the current effect is still activated.
¥ You can only use the slow shutter with the Auto or Manual recording programs.
¥ You cannot select a slow shutter; [SLOW S.] is shown in the display when:
- The movie mode is set to FRAME.
- You have pressed the EXP. LOCK button.
- You have chosen a shutter speed greater than 1/60 in the manual recording program (in this case set
the shutter speed to 1/60 by pressing the shutter 
rbutton).
¥ The slow shutter setting is remembered by the camera, until you change the POWER dial setting. You can select one of three SLOW shutter effects: 1/8, 1/15 or 1/30 of a second.
1. Turn the POWER dial to the Auto or Manual recording program.
2. Press the D.EFFECT SELECT button to move through the list of effects in the viewfinder,
until you reach the SLOW setting of your choice. 
						

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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.
¥ 12-bit ST-1, 2 (32kHz, 4 channels) for simultaneous recording on four channels (stereo 1 and stereo 2).
AUDIO MODE¥¥16bit
Selecting the Audio Mode
REC LEVEL
A
M
INPUT SELECTMIC
ATT.
AUDIO 1
MIN MAXLR
BALANCE LEVEL
AUDIO 1/MIC
REC LEVEL
A
M
MIN MAX
MIN MAX
L
R
AUDIO 2
AUDIO
MONITOR
0 2 6
20 40
30
50
RL-dB12
1. To switch between the three modes, open the camera menu and select AUDIO MODE.
2. Select a mode, and close the menu.
¥ The name of your chosen mode is displayed in the viewfinder and main LCD panel.
After selecting the audio mode you can set the audio input:
¥ The settings for 16-bit and 12-bit stereo 1 audio are the same, and are explained under ÒTwo Channel
RecordingÓ on the next page. 
¥ The settings for 12-bit stereo 1, 2 are explained under ÒFour channel RecordingÓ on page 38.
Notes:
¥ You cannot add new sound to a tape using this camcorder.
¥ For audio output details, including how to play back a tape that has new sound on stereo 2, see page 60.
(see p. 18) 
						

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Set the input for Stereo 1 in one of two ways, A or B, depending on the source for the input:
Setting the Audio Input Ñ Two Channel Recording
1. Change the audio mode at the menu if necessary (see page 36).
2. Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to AUDIO 1.
¥ This assigns the AUDIO 1 RCA jacks as the source for the audio input.
In normal recording conditions, the camera sets the audio recording level automatically, as long as you slide
the REC LEVEL switch to A.
You can also set the recording level manually:
1. Slide the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 1/MIC controls to M.
¥ MANU appears in the audio LCD pannel.
2. Turn the LEVEL dial to adjust the recording level and BALANCE dial to adjust the
balance between the two inputs.
¥ Check the levels for each channel in the audio LCD panel.
¥ If the level exceeds the  point, it is essential for you to monitor the sound using headphones.
¥ Adjust the headphone volume by rotating the PHONES LEVEL dial.
12
Setting the recording level for two channel recording
A. Using the supplied microphone or attaching an external microphone to the
mini jacks
AUDIO 1 IN¥¥LINE(see p. 18)
3. Open the camera menu and select the appropriate option for AUDIO 1 IN:
- LINE: To record sound from a VCR, CD or other line in devices.
- MIC ATT20: To record sound using a microphone, when the sound level is high.
- MIC: To record sound using a microphone (e.g. attached via the optional MA-100 Microphone
Adapter/Shoulder Pad).
1. Change the audio mode at the menu if necessary (see page 36).
2. Slide the INPUT SELECT switch to MIC.
¥ This assigns the MIC mini jacks as the source for the audio input.
¥ In place of the supplied microphone, you can attach an external microphone to the mini jacks. 
¥ If you wish to use the attenuator to provide more natural sound without distortion (when recording in
loud places) slide the INPUT SELECT switch to ATT.
B. Using the AUDIO 1 RCA jacks
0 2 6
20 40
30
50
RL-dB12
MANU 
						

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In normal recording conditions, the camera sets the audio recording level automatically as long as you slide
the REC LEVEL switch to A (automatic).
You 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.
2. Set the recording level for stereo 2 by sliding the REC LEVEL switch of the AUDIO 2
controls to M (manual).
3. Turn the L and R dials to independently adjust the recording levels of the two inputs
(corresponding to the L and R channels of the AUDIO 2 RCA jacks).
¥ Check the levels for each channel in the audio LCD panel.
¥ It is essential for you to monitor the sound using headphones.
¥ Adjust the headphone volume by rotating the PHONES LEVEL dial.
Setting the recording level for four channel recording
1. Set the audio mode to Ò12 bit ST-1, 2Ó.
2. Set the input for stereo 1 in exactly the same way as for two channel recording.
AUDIO 2 IN¥¥LINE
3. Set the input for stereo 2 by connecting a device to the AUDIO 2 RCA jacks and then
selecting the appropriate option for AUDIO 2 IN:
- LINE: To record sound from a VCR, CD or other line in devices.
- MIC ATT20: To record sound using a microphone, when the sound level is high.
- MIC: To record sound using a microphone (e.g. attached via the optional MA-100 Microphone
Adapter/Shoulder Pad ).
(see p. 18)
Setting the Audio Input Ñ Four Channel Recording 
						

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Press the AUDIO MONITOR button to make a sound check Ñ stereo 1 only (ST1), stereo 2 only (ST2) or
both (MIX) [each in turn].
¥ Your choice is selected a few seconds after you last pressed the button, and shown in the viewfinder and
audio LCD panel.
¥ Unlike selecting the audio output in VCR mode, you cannot mix the balance at this point Ñ even if
VARIABLE is chosen at the VCR menu, it is fixed during camera mode.
You can monitor the sound while recording by attaching stereo headphones to the cameraÕs  terminal.
Adjust the headphone volume by rotating the PHONES LEVEL dial.
Headphones
Making a Sound Check 
						

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Set the fade trigger each time you wish to use it
(both before you fade in and again before you fade
out).
FADE-T is shown constantly in the viewfinder
when it is ready for use.
1. Turn the POWER dial to any recording
program (except Easy Recording).
2. Press the D.EFFECT SELECT button to
move through the list of effects in the
viewfinder, until you reach FADE-T.
D.EFFECT
SELECT
ON/OFF
POWER
VCR
OFF
Tv
Av
MA
Activating the fade trigger
When you start recording, the scene gradually
fades in from a black screen. When you stop
recording, it gradually fades out.
Fade trigger
Fading In and Out Between Scenes
E- T FADNo Display
W S SLO 0.3 OO M D. ZW S SLO 5.1
W S SLO . 8
¥ The flashing display changes to show which effect you can select.
3. Press the D.EFFECT ON/OFF button to set the fade trigger ready for use.
¥ FADE-T is shown constantly in the viewfinder.
4. Start or stop recording. 
¥ The fade trigger is now activated Ñ the scene will fade in or out. 
¥ FADE-T then starts to flash again in the viewfinder.
¥ If you wish to use the fade trigger again, press the D.EFFECT ON/OFF button. If not, you can press
the D.EFFECT SELECT button to select a different digital effect, or to turn the digital effects off
completely by choosing the blank display.