[By Dave Gales, www.gadgetsandtechnologynews.com]
Canon today announced significant enhancements to its Canon XF305 and XF300 professional camcorders including the ability to configure two units for 3D HD video capture. Canon’s new firmware upgrades the XF300-series camcorders to include Canon’s 3D Assist Function that allows two units to be easily set up for 3D HD video, as well as an updated Scan Reverse function, Double Slot Recording for instantaneous backup, and the option to disable Relay Recording. Canon will be demonstrating a range of professional applications for the Canon XF305 and XF300, including the new prototype firmware, at the company’s booth C4325, at the 2011 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show in the Las Vegas Convention Centre, 11th-14th April 2011.
[Philip Lelyveld comment: MSRP $7,999 each camera]
- New Firmware Enables 3D HD Video Capture Assist and a Host of New Features
3D Shooting Capability with Axis Shift
Canon’s 3D Assist Function facilitates the setup of two XF305 or XF300 Professional Camcorders when used together to capture 3D HD video. The new firmware includes the ability to perform OIS Lens Shift to aid in optically aligning two XF305 or XF300 camcorders and a Focal Length Guide to display the zoom position of each camera in relation to each other and help calibrate zoom settings. This adjustment can be done through the menu system while the camcorders are mounted to a rig or tripod. Once aligned, the amount of the angle-of-view change is displayed after zoom adjustment, preventing camera misalignment and simplifying adjustment. This is similar to the 3D shooting functionality found in the Canon’s XF105 and XF100 model professional camcorders.
Scan Reverse for 3D Rigs
The new firmware updates the Scan Reverse functionality of XF300-series camcorders to allow for recorded images to be flipped on the horizontal axis, vertical axis, or both simultaneously to facilitate recording with 3D mirror rigs.
Double-Slot Recording
This new function allows the camcorders to record footage simultaneously to both card slots for instant backup of important footage and files. Ideal for use in production environments to ensure multiple copies are secured for each take.
Relay Recording On/Off
Relay Recording, an innovative feature to aid ease of use, where footage is seamlessly recorded to the second CF card as the first fills up, can now be turned off to prevent capture data from automatically being recorded to the second card. This allows the second card to be protected from recording and used only when designated or to allow the user to only copy or back up select takes to the card.
About the XF 305 and XF 300
The XF300-series camcorders employ the XF Codec, an MPEG-2 4:2:2 50Mbps codec for native 1920 x 1080 HD video recording onto affordable, universally available Compact Flash (CF) cards. Uniting video, audio and metadata into a single file, the Canon XF305 and XF300 use an MXF (Material eXchange Format) File Wrapper, a widely supported open-source format, to maximize compatibility with existing industry infrastructure and non-linear editing (NLE) systems.
The Canon XF305 and XF300 professional camcorders include a genuine Canon 18x HD L-series lens, three Canon developed and designed native 1920 x 1080 CMOS image sensors, and Canon’s own XF Codec that delivers the extreme colour detail required for accurate chroma-keying, colour-grading and compositing for digital filmmaking. In addition, the XF305 model features industry-standard HD-SDI output, genlock, and SMPTE time code (in/out) terminals for multi-camera, broadcasting or 3D production.
The new firmware is expected to be available for download from in Q3 2011.
See the original story here: http://www.gadgetsandtechnologynews.com/canon-upgrades-its-3d-video-cameras-full-details-revealed/2812537/