CJ WATSON wrote in message <19971217054501.AAA00350@ladder02.news.aol.com>...

>So, while we are all whistling dixie and biding time waiting for the xl-1 to
>make its American debut in stores Near Us, I will contribute these two X-mas
>wishes to Santa at Canon--
>
>1.) I really hope that the annoying low level whine that eminates from the
>vx-1000 record deck (and is audible on the camera mic when the room is quiet)
>has been dealt with and eliminated on the xl-1. Did people have this same
>whine on the ag-ez1u? (Remember that cam?) Is this same whine audible on the
>TRV-7 amd PCR-7?


Much worse with the Panasonic AG-EZ1U and with all other mini-DV camcorders
I have tried than with the VX-1000 - this is a real problem with mini-DV
camcorders... Motor and focus noises were also audible with the Canon L1 I
had, but the lower-frequency noises were more pleasant, and more easily masked.

>2.) I also really hope (and assume) that because the xl-1 sports Canon's much
>touted (in this newsgroup) Video Lenses that the annoying "vari-focus" on the
>vx-1000 is a thing of the past. Ie, when I zoom in and focus, then zoom out,
>it would be nice if the picture was still sharp...

Both zooms I had for the L1 shifted focus with zooming (as do the lenses
on the VX-700 and one of the two VX-1000s I have) - this is also a common
problem. And the Canon lenses' distance scales and infinity focus were not
accurate...

>Just some idle daydreaming and wishes from the Front Lines....eagerly awaiting
>Canon's January artillery bombardment...

And you can add to the list of requests for basic items to be done right:
3.) The CCD chip should be centered behind the lens... It is annoying with
both the L1 I had (and all the Sonys) to find that WA connverters or deep
shades vignette the lens images asymmetrically! Come on, MFGRs, get the
basics right before adding the whiz-bang features, huh?! ;-)
I guess it may take paying REAL bucks for the camcorder before the basics
are attended to, alas...
--
David Ruether
http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
ruether@fcinet.com