how do i get digital video from a Canon XL1?
I have an old Canon XL1 that uses MiniDV tapes. How can i get digital video from this camera? I am thinking about selling this older camcorder and upgrading to HD. before i do I need to know how easy it would be to get video off.
Is there a hard drive attachment I can buy for this camcorder?
I know how to do this with modern camcorders. I am looking for a solution that is specific to this canon XL1 camcorder. I am using a Mac Pro running 10.5
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Rugratzzzzzzzzzzzzz and NYC fan are on it… You need a firewire cable to connect the camcorder’s 4-pin DV port to the Mac Pro’s firewire port. I *think* Mac Pro towers have only firewire 800 ports – which means you need a 4-pin to 9-pin firewire cable. With the camcorder connected to the Mac Pro, and the camcorder in Play mode, iMovie or FinalCut (pro or Express) can "Import" or Capture the video.
For a "hard drive attachment" you are looking at an external hard drive that connects with firewire. Check the compatibility chart supporting the FireStore specialized hard drives from Focus Enhancements.
When you upgrade to HD, you will use the same cable if you stick with HDV camcorders. You will have superior video quality (compared to the anemic AVCHD consumer hard disc drive and flash memory MTS file comcorders) staying with HDV for high definition. The Canon XLH series are the high definition siblings of the XL1 and XL2. The XHA1 is more like the high definition sibling of the GL2. The Sony HVR series would be the competition (HVR-Z1, Z5 and Z7 – the Z7 is flash memory)… so would the JVC GY-HM series and Panasonic AG-HVX200 series. And if you stay with pro-grade HDV, you may be able to re-use the FireStore, too – but be sure to check the compatability list – there are differences – especially with the Pannys…
Buying for this camcorder: OK idea
You need a working camera and a firewire connection, so your pc needs a firewire port too. This is different than a USB port and a usb to firewire adapters do not work for downloading video. Also minidv camcorders download in real time, so a 60 minute takes takes 60 minutes to download. Also if your pc doesn’t have a lot of ram or extra hard drive space you might run into trouble. Editing videos takes up a lot of space.
I have a dvd recorder that is attached to my TV and it came with a firewire port, but I have not used it for downloading my minidv camcorder.
Once attached properly you will open your editing program and CAPTURE the video, then drag the video clips to your timeline and at this time you add transitions, effects, music etc then render the video, burn to a dvd all in your editing program.
The canon XL1 is an Icon of high quality video. If you look at any outside broadcast, or news events you will still see many XL1′s. Last thing first why would you want to down grade the quality by trying to record onto a HDD, unless you are using capturing directly to a laptops HDD for example.
The XL1 will beat many of the consumer HD camcorders for quality, you will have to get into the high priced semi pro equipment before its going to start to show its age, Something to think about.
Capturing the video, can only be done via Firewire IEEE1394, check your device manager, and see if you have that device in your computer. if you do then all you need is a cable. very cheap. even if you need a card they are only about $40 very simple to fit take you about ten minutes. once installed turn the computer on and connect your camera to the computer, the firewire connector is in the front by the support leg, just in front of the tape door. under an oval flap. windows will pick the camera up once you have turned it on and selected VCR mode Using the Dial. open your editing software and go to capture, you can control the camera from the computer.
Good luck
RR
Transfer the video via FireWire. There’s a FireWire port on the camera. If my memory serves me right, it’s under a long flap on the side somewhere.
Now, you can capture into an editing program via FireWire, or you can capture to a drive like a FireStore (no quality loss with these types of video drives) via FireWire. Either way, you use FireWire.
EDIT: Why would the solution for the XL1 be different from any other? It’s a MiniDV camera via FireWire. Turn the power dial to "VCR" and do things the same way as you would with a "modern" camcorder.