Image Enhancement
The XH G
1
and XH A
1
provide advanced features that improve image
viewability and maximize visual appeal. Skin Detail mode minimizes
imperfections, such as blemishes and wrinkles, without removing
detail in other areas of the image. Three intensity levels are provided,
and an alternating zebra pattern in the viewfinder simplifies
the process of selecting the desired
area for the effect. Sky Detail can be
used to enhance outdoor footage by
removing unwanted detail and noise in
the sky. Clear Scan eliminates the flicker
and black bands that usually result
when shooting a computer or other CRT
screen. Frequency is adjustable from
50
.
2
Hz to
200
.
3
Hz to accommodate a
wide variety of monitors.
Program AE Modes
Seven programmed Auto Exposure modes
simplify the selection of camera settings
for a variety of everyday and special
shooting situations.
Easy Recording—
This “point-and-shoot”
mode lets the camera make all the key
decisions. The camcorder automatically
sets focus, shutter speed, aperture,
gain, white balance, and AE program
shift as required to deliver the most
pleasing video images.
Auto—
Similar to Easy Recording, this
mode also provides point-and-shoot
operating simplicity. However, it gives
the operator the option of manually
changing the settings.
Shutter Priority—
The user selects the
shutter speed, and the camera auto-
matically selects the proper aperture
for correct exposure.
Aperture Priority—
The user selects
the lens aperture, and the camera auto-
matically selects the proper shutter
speed for correct exposure.
Manual—
The user can select any
combination of aperture and shutter
speed. Indicators in the viewfinder
show the relation of selected combina-
tions to the exposure as metered by
the camera.
Spotlight—
This mode automatically
adjusts exposure for optimum results when the subject is illumi-
nated by concentrated light source (such as a spotlight) while the
background is relatively dark.
Night—
The camera uses slower shutter speeds to enable capture
as ambient light levels begin to fall.
Total Image Control
By giving the operator total control of more than
23
independently
adjustable variables, the XH G
1
and XH A
1
enable the capture of
the perfect look in HD.
Gain Settings—
Select automatic gain control or one of
3
preset gains
(low, medium, or high), which can be assigned values from -
3
dB
to +
36
dB.
White Balance—
Numerous white balance modes are provided to
ensure color accuracy in a variety of shooting situations. The auto-
matic modes use a high-precision
128
-segment through-the-lens
metering system.
Auto
—Provides automatic adjustment of white balance.
Outdoor
—Balances for bright sunlight (
5600
°K), can be customized.
Indoor
—Balances for incandescent lighting (
3200
°K), can be cus-
tomized.
Color Temperature
—Balances to a specifically selected value between
2800
–
12000
°K in
100
°K increments.
Custom Presets A and B
—Enables two manual
white balance settings to be programmed for
instant recall.
Black—
Three settings (STRETCH, MIDDLE, PRESS)
provide a choice of dynamic range adjustment
affecting the dark areas of the image. STRETCH
expands the range, providing greater shadow
detail. PRESS narrows the range, increasing the deep black con-
tent of the image.
Knee—
Four settings (AUTO, HIGH, MIDDLE, LOW) provide a choice
of dynamic range (knee point) adjustment in the highlight areas
to control overexposure when shooting high-brightness subjects.
The HIGH setting enables high-key shooting, while the LOW setting
provides maximum protection from overexposure.
Gamma
—The NORMAL gamma curve provides the best results for
conventional viewing on a TV monitor. CINE
1
creates images that
resemble the quality and appearance of film as viewed on TV. The
CINE
2
setting selects an appropriate gamma curve for images that
are to be transferred to film.
Master Pedestal—
Adjustments from -
9
to +
9
sets the video refer-
ence black. Higher values brighten the darker areas of the image,
reducing overall contrast.
Setup Level—
Black level can be adjusted from -
9
to +
9
.
Sharpness—
Image sharpness can be adjusted from -
9
to +
9
.
Horizontal Detail Frequency (HIGH, MIDDLE, LOW)
—Adjusts the H
detail center frequency. Horizontal/Vertical Detail Balance (-
9
to +
9
)
adjusts the H/V proportion of the detail correction.
Noise Reduction
1
and Noise Reduction
2
(both with OFF, HIGH,
MIDDLE, LOW settings)—Provide a variety of methods and levels
of noise reduction to accommodate numerous shooting situations
and desired image qualities.
Color Matrix—
NORMAL, CINE
1
, and CINE
2
adjust the color during the
shooting. The NORMAL setting is a matrix based on the assumption
that images will be reviewed on a TV monitor. If CINE
1
is selected,
the resulting quality and grayscale resemble those of a movie film.
This is a matrix for creating images on TV that appear like movies. The
CINE
2
setting is a matrix that is for images being transferred to film.
Color Gain/Phase
—Adjustable from -50 to +50 and -9 to +9
respectively.
Master Red, Blue, and Green Gain settings
—Independently adjustable
from -
50
to +
50
, provide precise control over color balance.
Six Color Matrixes—
RG, RB, GR, GB, BR, and BG matrixes, each
independently adjustable from -
50
to +
50
, provide even finer color
control capability by altering two of the three primaries.
9
8
Canon Console Software
Canon Console is an advanced software package developed to
address the creative needs of XH G
1
and XH A
1
users. Incorporating
many of the traditional aspects of a camera control unit, Console
runs on a laptop or desktop computer and provides tools for creative
expression as well as remote access to basic camera settings and
operations. Functions, such as a vectorscope and waveform monitor,
enable critical evaluation of the
camera signal. Users can also
capture the camera’s video output
directly to a computer’s hard drive.
Console’s
REC PANEL
includes
five windows:
Rec Viewer—
Live video, clip count-
er, audio meter and controls,
color/monochrome settings,
split-screen, and zebra levels.
Camera Control—
Remote opera-
tion of most camera functions.
Vector and Waveform Monitors—
Professional tools for checking
video signal quality.
Focus Assist—
Aids for achieving
precise focus, such as electronic zoom and black-and-white view.
Custom Preset—
Multiple settings for comprehensive image control.
Console’s
PLAY PANEL
features three windows that enable review
of captured footage or recall of any existing clips or stills that may
be stored on a hard drive or memory card:
Play Viewer—
Displays selected clip with a running counter. Users
can adjust playback speed and view audio monitor settings.
File Browser—
Enables users to select the clip to be shown in the
Play Viewer.
Vector and Waveform Monitors—
Enables critical evaluation of
recorded material.
Black
Noise Reduction
1
Vector and Waveform Monitors
Canon Console Software
Skin Detail
Sky Detail
Shutter Priority
Create with Precision.
Control Your Capture...
