The Canon A1Digital Hi8 Camcorder

A brief descriptive video of my Canon A1DigitalA Hi8 Camcorder. I found this locally for real cheap, and I liked it so much that I decided to keep it. I had to have 161 surface mounted capacitors, and 2 fuses replaced, but now it works like brand new. Enjoy this video of a piece of Camcorder History! Filmed with a SONY DCR-TRV9 MiniDV Camcorder.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Canon
• Hi8
• Camcorder
• A1
• DigitalA
• High
• Video
• Camera
• 8mm
• Video8
• L2
• L1
• A1DigitalA

[provid1234]

this cam is like 16 yrs old why doesn't anyone bother with it. The quality is alright but if you end up spending 500 bucks you can get a canon hv30 (a camera that beats the crap out of the this l2 and the newer xl2). That hv30 even matches newer pro 2k-5k hd cams. Trust me I own the xl1 (which most ppl say beats that old l2 and now I have the hfs100 tapeless avchd with manual gain!)

[ozzman9292]

I have a Canon HV30, and it takes excellent HD video. This Canon A1 Digital takes excellent hi-band analog video. They both work great for different purposes.

[ozzman9292]

I recently took this camcorder with me to Blowing Rock, NC. I had a great time with it, even though it does get quite heavy and cumbersome to carry around too much, it did not bother me though. I recently acquired a Canon LX-100A, which is similar to this model but it has the ability to have interchangeable lenses. I will have to make a video of it soon.

[jackuzy]

Ok what was the simptoms that camera had, so you you had to replace all of those capacitors? 168? if i understand right ;)

I've got the same camera for europe, that's A2Hi :) and will see how will it work :)

[ozzman9292]

When I first got the camcorder, it was completely dead and when you attempted to connect it to a battery or the AC Adapter, it actually created a burnt smell, which was the leaky electrolyte from the capacitors burning off. 161 capacitors and 2 fuses had to be replaced to bring it back to life again - but it was well worth it, it's an awesome analog camcorder.

[ozzman9292]

Sorry about the audio/video flicker every-so-often, I think that I had a bad connection to the computer. Enjoy!

[2migell]

is it HD

or standar deff

[MetallicBill]

@GanEdenAustralia I think Sony had the winning touch when it came to ergonomics and basics that you could rely on, that's where the Handycam excels. I don't know all the models, but I've owned perhaps about 10 different ones since the 1990s

[MetallicBill]

@ozzman9292 I've had that happen to me, it was DV taped being captured via Firewire on a slow HDD, If it's not 5400 rpm, or loaded with Bloatware, for lack of a better word, you'll have an easier go over speedy capture without lag

[GanEdenAustralia]

@MetallicBill The VX1/3 was about the only competitor to the A1 and L1/EX1 wasn't it?

[MetallicBill]

@pvx Probably the guy I know as well, he's retired and I checked in via email to see if he's still at it (the past year)

[MetallicBill]

@ZETANEGETIVE L1 and L2 are basically the same, best of the 1990s bar none, if you ask me. They share the same features but L2 only adds Rewritable Consumer Time Code, RC Time code. Marks each and every frame for editing accuracy. Because it's a consumer Time code however, it's not as accurate as a professional tape would have. These also have Lanc connectors to daisy chain multiple cams for editing

[MetallicBill]

@default1337 I know a retired tech who does only Canon repairs for around $200, no fee if it's not fixable. Sadly, I'm too broke to do the required repair, but I hope to when my luck changes

[MetallicBill]

@GanEdenAustralia Cookie cutter cams came about because Sony's Handycam was an extreme success, and it worked, logically, it lacked however, all the Canon attributes here, that make these ProSumer models, Sony didn't cater well to Prosumer videographers sadly

[MetallicBill]

@ozzman9292 Canon pioneered using the VL mount system and SLR lens adapter, I obtained those accessories and I hang on to the L1 even now, I don't plan to sell it, but rather replace the capacitors on the logic board. I filmed live shows using the manual audio vol and Decibel cut feature, now to get that effect, I plug headphones into the Sony's mic jacks! It does the Db cutting of loud audio that way!