Canon XH A1 Quick Manual

Canon XH A1 Quick Manual

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The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder
Quick Guide
The Canon XH A1 Camcorder – Basic Operations
CHARGING THE BATTERY
1.attach plug to charger, plug it into the wall, arrow on battery indicates which
end to put into charger first.
while chugging: one flash = no charge, two flashes = 50% charge, three flashes =
75% charged, light stays on = 100% charged
2. push button under viewfinder and battery door opens, pops open battery case
push battery in with arrow pointing to camera, until it clicks, close battery door
and it's in place
3. to get battery out: open door again, button on left side releases the battery.
4. Plug into the wall - use the charger - hook up plug, and plug connector to
charger. Then open up battery case, and same as with battery, insert the
charger/a/c into the battery case until it clicks.
Close the battery case and run the cord outside the door of the case.
Release in the same manner as with a battery
______________
OPERATING MODES
XH A1 modes range from fully automatic to completely manual
Using manual gives you complete control over the camera
Operating modes are selected by holding down grey button on side of camera as
you turn the large round dial (on left side of camera)
On right side of camera - standby and lock settings
Keep in lock mode - turns camera off but saves all settings.
Switch to standby - the camera turns on
Switch back to lock mode when your finished shooting particular scene, e.g, and
your settings are saved for the next time you turn on the camers
EASY RECORDING MODE
Easy recording - green box on dial
Camera controls focus, shutter speed, aperture, gain, white balance and AE shift
(auto exposure, determining amt. of light entering the lens).
Automatically varies the exposure while you shoot.
Completely automatic - remember that the camera will re-focus based on what it
thinks you are shooting - what it determines is the main subject in the frame. the
manual functions will not operate

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Summary of Contents for Canon XH A1

  • Page 1 Release in the same manner as with a battery ______________ OPERATING MODES XH A1 modes range from fully automatic to completely manual Using manual gives you complete control over the camera Operating modes are selected by holding down grey button on side of camera as...
  • Page 2: Auto Mode

    The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide AUTO MODE Auto mode - 'A' on the control dial Just like easy recording, but you can change the variables. It will be in easy recording mode by default, but the manual functions will also operate.
  • Page 3: Night Mode

    The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide The camera adjusts the shutter speed automatically to provide a correct exposure based on your aperture setting. SPOTLIGHT MODE Spotlight mode - Icon is triangle with a figure in it Good for shooting someone in a spotlight. Camera manually adjusts exposure based on the brightest object or spot in the image rather than exposing for the entire scene.
  • Page 4: Lcd Screen

    The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide THE VIEWFINDER To adjust the viewfinder focus, lift up the viewfinder and use the button underneath to make adjustments. This affects only the viewfinder and does not affect the camcorder focus on your subject.
  • Page 5 XH A1 has good auto focus in that it focuses very quickly. The Focus switch is on side of camera - A = auto, F = manual...
  • Page 6: Gain Control

    The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide ND filter continued: Low light settings in manual mode: Turn off the ND filter off If you are shooting at nighttime, or indoors with available light (lamps, shooting near windows etc. without additional lighting equipment), lower the shutter speed...
  • Page 7: Audio Basics

    The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide ______________ AUDIO BASICS You have audio recording options using the on-board microphone: Audio level button - A = automatic, M= manual A - means the camcorder automatically adjusts the audio record levels...
  • Page 8: Video Playback

    The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide TAPE INSERTION Use miniDV tape or HD tape buy good quality tape avoid cheap tape; avoid tape lengths longer than 60:00 HD miniDV tape is available - it is thicker than miniDV and it has twice the...
  • Page 9 The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide _______________ CONNECTING CAMCORDER to TV or computer Standard RCA to mini cable: yellow, red and white cable plays SD only If you want to see true HD use the component cable - each cable handles video...
  • Page 10 The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide Menu > audio setup > mic sensitivity > Normal or High Normal setting is for typical conditions High setting records at +6 decibels. Don't use unless you have to. Best to set levels higher by using the record level dials on the camcorder.
  • Page 11 The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide Switches above the XLR inputs allow switching between Line and Mic - switch to Mic if using a mic Ch1, if you are only recording on one channel only Ch1 Ch2, if you are using 1 mic and you want to record in stereo - it will put same audio on both channels Mic attenuator –...
  • Page 12 The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide Setting levels Wear headphones so you can hear what the mic is actually picking up and putting on tape Use the levels indicators to set levels Plug in Switch to mic setting...
  • Page 13 The Canon XH A1 HD camcorder Quick Guide Troubleshooting Shotgun Mic Problems Most basic problem is noise from the mic, mic holder, someone's hands, etc. Mic will pick up those vibrations. Use a shock mount, if possible - it absorbs all vibrations Other main problem is wind noise - use a windscreen - made of foam, not expensive, or use a tube sock.

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