Canon releases new functionality for XF series

Canon Middle East has announced a new firmware update that enhances the usability of the popular XF camcorder series. The new firmware, version 1.0.4.0, adds the 1440 x1080 35Mbps recording format, popular with major news broadcasters, to the XF-series' extensive selection of video resolutions and frame rates. The new format will enable videographers to record 1440 x 1080 HD video at 35Mbps at 60i or 50i and seamlessly integrate with existing workflows.
Once the firmware is installed, the recording mode can be accessed through the camcorder's regular mode selection menu and the frame rate will be automatically selected, dependent on the camcorder's PAL or NTSC setting. All previously supported XF-series video resolutions and frame rates will remain available in addition to the newly supported recording format.
To coincide with the release of this firmware update, Canon is also releasing Canon XF Utility 1.3 Updater for both Windows and Mac based systems. This update supports the new recording format and available to users after the firmware update. In addition a new plug-in for Final Cut Pro 7 and Final Cut Pro 10 (FCP X) will be released. Avid users will not require an updated plug-in.