On Tue, 26 Mar 2002 23:34:01 -0500, Gene Wu wrote:
>On Tue, 26 Mar 2002 00:45:13 -0500, "Dirk J. Bakker"
> wrote:
>
>>You may start with these:
>>
>> http://www.dv.com/
>>
>> http://www.dvinfo.net/
>>
>> http://www.digitalfilmmaker.net/index.html
>>

>Thanks Dirk. I will try to learn from there.
>
>Incidentally, I have to agree with the other posters about the popularity
>of the XL-1's. After one and a half weeks of reading posts and web pages,
>if someone asked me to recommend a video camera, I would suggest the XL-1
>(with a proper disclaimer of course). That said, Canon seems to have done
>a terrific job on marketing their product. :) Or the camera must actually
>be decent.

Read the threads on the rec.video NGs (check them out on
google.com) related to the XL-1 vs. others - many who
have used *only* the XL-1 like it; many of those who
have also tried the others do not like it. It is relatively
higher-priced than its direct competition, with VERY
expensive accessories needed to bring it up near the
functionality level of its competitors "out of the box",
or nearly so, with a somewhat inferior picture and low-light
shooting ability, and very real functionality problems with
focus, let alone its other inferior auto and manual controls
compared with others.
You are looking at an example of superb marketing...;-)
The camera is decent, but inferior to most of its direct
competition in most ways for general use. If you **need or
will use** its few **specific** advantages over others, it
is a good buy; otherwise, I would look elsewhere. Dig
deeper for info before falling for it, or you may regret
it.... BTW, you may find this useful (though it covers
the XL-1, not the "s" - but many things still apply):
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm