I am still in the process of discovering the XH-A1, there is just so much that you can customise on this cam it's mind-boggling.

If you want to see the XH-A1 in expert hands, search within Vimeo for Steven Dempsey (my inspiration) and Stephen Lewis, they both have some great works on this site.

Well, I just had to purchase SVP8 when the free trial from Sony ran out, now I've got that to learn as well. I just hope that I can find the time to take some video footage too.

Many thanks for the comments Maria, and long may the spirits be with you (that'll keep them guessing lol)

Hi John.

I have only heard of Pinnacle, so I am not qualified to comment on that software. However, I can comment on SVP8.

Until recently I was using Ulead Mediastudio pro 8, as I have been using versions of this software since 1995 I am familiar with the terminology. This is creating a problem for me at the moment, I know what I want to achieve but have to battle with Sony's terminology to get there.

However, I can say with confidence that as I learn SVP8, I find the software easier to use than MSP8.

All the best with your dilemma, it's comforting to know that someone else has these too.

Whichever software package you decide upon will be the right one John, you may even be inspired to produce even more excellent videos for us Vimeoites to enjoy.

Hi 4Moorhens2

Yes, the pond is our next-door neighbour, the wildlife and I now have an almost intimate relationship, due to my many visits with corn etc. They look at me as much as to say "oh! you again, I'll just carry on preening if you don't mind".

The area in which this pond resides is within a conservation area. This is the second of two ponds, the first and main one is featured at the begining of the video, this pond has very little acticity, possibly due to the heavy canopy, hence the exposure problem???

Thanks for the comments. I look forward to further communication and video files from you.

Why is it that whenever I get the opportunity to video a moorhen, all I can frame is the rear end as it makes a hasty retreat?

Tricky creatures moorhens: at some sites they seem ambivalent; at other places shy and secretive in the extreme. So what I do is get footage of them on one pond, where they are relatively friendly, and cut them into footage of another pond where they are impossible film without a hide. An example is my video "Moorhens - Ducks and Lilies", which was filmed in two locations: a moorhen only making a fleeting appearance on one pond, yet on the other pond a moorhen is quite happy to be photographed from about 10 to 15 yards away. Their nature does seem to change from year to year however, perhaps you will have better luck with them later on.

Thanks for the tip 4Moorhens2. There was a Moorhen strutting around before I settled my tripod at the pool, but of course when it came to pressing the button the subject had vanished.

I have to say that thus far, the Coot is my favourite of the waterfowl, I just love those crazy feet, and the devotion that both parents share in rearing their young.
I have some footage taken in 2001 of a Coot family that shows this characteristic well, if I can find it I'll edit and upload it, and, I'll throw in a genuine pink Grasshopper as a bonus.

I look forward to seeing more of your videos, and, thanks again for the advice.

Hi Dominic (I think)

I am a pc user.

I don't remember Vimeo sending me notification of your comment, (perhaps I accidentally junked it) that is why there is a delay in this response.

I've taken a look at your excellent music video, trust me, you have great potential.

To appeal to the widest audience a video should contain, drama, romance and humour. Your 'Sweet Talk' video has all of these qualities.

I have visited your website and downloaded the original version. On close inspection I think that Vimeo have done a decent job, in other words your export settings have worked well.

There appears to be a slight colour depth problem in your original, as though it is in 24 bit colour, rather than 32 bit, then again, you may have decided to sacrifice the colour depth in order to get the size down to the Vimeo limit of 500mb.

However, as stated earlier, your video content is first rate, camera angles, pans and cut-ins are also very good.

Your video shows a lot of effort that was well justified. Congratulations.

haha wow!


that was an awesome reply! i am very flattered

haha, thank you veryyyy much, yeah i lost sooo much color going to vimeo and im still trying to find the best export to retain as much color and sharpness from FCP, i have seen much better export products from pc users with the xh-a1, as it seems i might cut my next video in premiere.

I find sending vids to the tube best with a render of WMV and 1280x720.

Have just done this for you. What do you think?

youtube.com/watch?v=QhCIIDAw5Ds