XL1s Time Lapse Dangerous for heads?

Hi,

 

I having been thinking of using an XL1s for time lapse purposes,

and after talking to the "video guy" at Samy's camera, I was

advised that it wouldn't be safe. He said that It would be

dangerous for the Video heads because they dont turn off during

time lapse (interval) recording. He said, like a VCR on pause, the

video heads keep spinning, but unlike a VCR that turns itself off

after 5 five minutes to save itself, the XL1s will suffer.

 

Why would Canon make a feature that is bad for its product?

(since it recognizes time lapse as a feature).

 

Maybe the Sammy's guy is just assuming that the Xl1s is the

same as the Xl1, when really Canon fixed that problem (if it ever

existed)?

 

I just dont want to damage the video camera or further shorten

its life.

 

Thanks,

 

Brian.

Don't know if you've tracked down an answer to this problem... you might try to reach someone at Canon. May also want to take a look at www.vidpro.org...

"Why would Canon make a feature that is bad for its product? "

Just look at their lens... it can hardly focus.

 

I answering the question, try getting a laptop with firewire, and automatically capture a frame at a time directly into the computer without running any tape in the camera.

I agree with Valeriu, you should not use the Canon's internal recording mechanism for time-lapse, use an external source (Preferably digital). Adobe Premiere has a funtion to capture one frame at a time at pre-selected intervals from a live feed.

Alight, .. Idealy, it would be nice to grab frames with a laptop..

The part I would like to know is WHY.

 

Is it- usual recording is bad for the heads as well, so why do

further damage when you could just use a laptop and save a

little wear and tear? Is that why?

 

It can be extremely inconvenient to lug around a laptop and deal

with another limited power supply and peice of electronics.

 

Thanks : )

 

Brian.

Using a laptop is only a suggestion. Unfortunately it doesn't suit everyone.

Indeed, it is no worse than using the recorder for normal video, but the point is that using an external recording unit can minimise unnecessary wear and tear on the mechanism and therefore extend it's lifetime.

The XL1 will shut down and go into standby mode (heads not turning, powered down) after about 10 minutes. The only way to avoid this from happening is to remove the tape. Only then will it stay in record pause mode indefinately. This was built into the camera on purpose for the reason you are speaking. The guy at "Sammies" obviously doesn't know what he's talking about, has probably never used one, nor has he read the manual.