GL2 LCD Monitor Display

[HarveyCee]

We just got a GL2, today. We set the camera menu to record in 16:9, but can't find a way to make the LCD display the video in 16:9. All we get is a squeezed 4:3!

We've been through all the menus and the manual, several times. The book leaves a lot to be desired.

Can anybody show us, step by step, how to get the camera's 16:9 selection menu from the pink color to the white color, so we can access the selection?

[minidv2dvd]

it has a 4:3 display. you can turn on the 16/9 guide lines in the display setup menu.

[edDV]

What they are showing you is what is going to tape. Other camcorders show letterbox but that limits the ability to focus off the LCD. Of the two alternatives I'd rather have the horizontal squeeze. You can add an external larger 16:9 monitor for evaluation if you are shooting in a studio.

[HarveyCee]

We plan to shoot on location.

minidv2dvd: we can't turn on the 16:9 guide lines in the display setup menu. It won't highlight, to give us access. Do you know how to use this function? Please tell us.

[minidv2dvd]

they are for framing a shot for cropping to 16/9 when shooting 4:3 mode. i can't recall if the gl2 uses the full sensor in 16/9 so i can't tell you which is better.

from the manual.

Page 3
3
16:9 Aspect Ratio
The GL2 is equipped with two 16:9 aspect ratio methods.
16:9 Guides
The 16:9 guides are thin white lines, which appear in the display
only. They let you view a 16:9 wide screen composition while in
the standard 4:3 aspect ratio, which is especially helpful if you're
planning to transfer your DV footage to film.
16:9 Recording Mode
The GL2 includes a 16:9 recording mode, which applies an
electronic anamorphic stretch allowing you to fill the frame of a
16:9 wide screen TV.

[HarveyCee]

Transferring the tape, supposedly shot in 16:9, into Premiere Pro set at widescreen, yields a 4:3 image. 4:3 aspect ratio is going the way of the dodo bird.

Displaying "16:9" on the LCD screen is misrepresentation. We're sending this GL2 back to the seller, as all our video is shot in 16:9.

We bought the GL2 because we thought the video quality would closely match our XL2. Obviously, this can't be.

[edDV]

Transferring the tape, supposedly shot in 16:9, into Premiere Pro set at widescreen, yields a 4:3 image. 4:3 aspect ratio is going the way of the dodo bird.

Displaying "16:9" on the LCD screen is misrepresentation. We're sending this GL2 back to the seller, as all our video is shot in 16:9.

We bought the GL2 because we thought the video quality would closely match our XL2. Obviously, this can't be.

The XL2 is native 16:9 at the sensors. The GL2 isn't. 16:9 mode is cut out of the 4:3 sensors. The 720x480 horizontal squeeze is normal for all wide DV video including the XL2. Go to clip properties in Premiere and set aspect to wide 16:9.

[HarveyCee]

Under the CLIP tab, VIDEO OPTIONS, there's no setting for aspect ratio. However, we finally found out how to record in 16:9. Here it is:

Although you can't use the 16:9 guidelines feature in the 16:9 mode, you must go into the 4:3 mode to access the guidelines feature and switch it to ON.

Then, you leave the 4:3 mode, go into the 16:9 mode and the GL2 will record in 16:9.

The LCD screen will not display the video in letterbox, like the XL2 does.
You're stuck with a squeezed, 4:3 picture (and no guidelines).

So-o-o-o, if we don't have the guidelines to use in 16:9, why do they have to be switched on at all, Canon?

Thanks to all of you for your replies.