Canon XH batteries / battery thread

Tim Le · September 15th, 2006, 01:13 PM

I don't think there is a dedicated DC input jack. To power the camera off wall power, you need that dummy battery plate from a CH-910 or DC-920.

If you look closely, there is a small grommet on the battery compartment hatch. I think this is a pass-thru for the cable for the dummy battery plate from the CH-910 or the DC-920. Another clue is on the Japanese page for XH accessories ( http://cweb.canon.jp/cgi-bin/prodv-o..._op.cgi?_XHG1_ ) it says both the CH-910 and DC-920 are compatible with the XH series cameras.

Chris Hurd · September 15th, 2006, 01:50 PM

I saw that too and couldn't tell if it was a pass-through grommet or an IR sensor. But since the Japanese web page says those units are compatible, then that's good enough for me. Thanks Tim,

Tim Le · September 15th, 2006, 01:56 PM

No problem Chris! I've been staring at these XH photos so much to pass the time waiting for these cameras to arrive, I know every nook and cranny by now :)

Too bad the manuals can't be released ahead of time. That would make for some mighty fine reading.

Terry Lyons · September 26th, 2006, 07:26 PM

You know my Canon A-1 Digital had a battery compartment in the front, on the bottom and the dummy plate fit in there to supply converted power from 110 AC.

Matthew Nayman · September 26th, 2006, 09:58 PM

So it does take the Ch910!

Alright

Chris Hurd · September 26th, 2006, 11:43 PM

Terry, the old Hi-8 format A1 was my first Canon camcorder. Nice to run across somebody who remembers it.

Terry Lyons · September 27th, 2006, 02:13 PM

Yes that was my first Canon video camera also. Boy was I so excited to have that!

Bill Pryor · September 27th, 2006, 02:43 PM

A friend of mine had an A1 back in those days, and I had a BVW300, which as you know only used the 20 or 30 minute mini Betacam tapes. Occasionally somebody would want me to shoot a seminar. If it was a decent job I'd rent a BVW50 deck and second BVW camera, but lots of them were not quality critical for the video. So, I would use a little Hi-8 portable deck we had and could get two hours out of that. Sometimes I'd use the friend's A1 as a reverse angle on the audience. It was always softer, but I got by with it, and the audience cutaways saved me more than once. Sony actually made a 1/2" chip professional Hi-8 camcorder that looked exactly like the UVW100 Betacam camera, but the little A1 looked damn near as good and was a heck of a lot cheaper.

Chris Hurd · September 27th, 2006, 07:00 PM

Boy we are so far off topic now but I can't resist. Bill I think that Sony pro Hi-8 was the EVW-300. The king of all Hi-8 cameras, at least those that weren't dockable. See http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...ny_EVW-300.jpg

Pete Bauer · September 27th, 2006, 07:05 PM

BTW, have we determined for certain that the dummy charger plate is actually useable, presumably through a port in the battery compartment lid? It must be so, as I just couldn't imagine having a pro camcorder that could not accept wall power but would be nice confirm it.

Chris Hurd · September 27th, 2006, 07:09 PM

I should be able to confirm it for you, with photos, in about 24 to 36 hours from now.

Chris Hurd · September 28th, 2006, 11:25 PM

As promised, here it is: the guess about the access tab on the door is correct (click photo to see big).

By the way, Canon USA has asked me to demo these cams today for a group of college / university video program coordinators (as I do for CUSA and other companies from time to time at various trade shows and other events), so I have access to the A1 and G1 for a short time. So let me know what else I can show you.

Kevin Shaw · November 10th, 2006, 09:06 AM

Just wondering what battery life for the XH-A1 is like in recording mode, both with the standard battery that comes with the camera and any bigger batteries available from Canon. Also, is there an indicator somewhere to estimate battery life remaining, and if so where and in what form?

Cody Lucido · November 10th, 2006, 11:53 AM

An energy hog is the best description I can give you. The battery that came with gives me about 2 hours or continuous operation. That might be because I use the flip out LCD over the eyepiece.

I just ordered a BP970 that is supposed to give 6.7 -7.5 hours of life. We shall see.

Noel Evans · November 10th, 2006, 06:06 PM

Heh this is one thing I need to be a bit more aware of, I have not stopped for a second to check battery times and its pretty important that I know. I have the 970. An hour use here and there hasnt seen the bar go down at all.

Ill keep a closer eye on it in future. I am using the lock function a lot so it saves me power.

September 15th, 2006, 01:50 PM	#32
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	I saw that too and couldn't tell if it was a pass-through grommet or an IR sensor. But since the Japanese web page says those units are compatible, then that's good enough for me. Thanks Tim, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 26th, 2006, 07:26 PM	#34
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	You know my Canon A-1 Digital had a battery compartment in the front, on the bottom and the dummy plate fit in there to supply converted power from 110 AC. __________________ TAG

September 26th, 2006, 09:58 PM	#35
Matthew Nayman Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 917	So it does take the Ch910! Alright Last edited by Matthew Nayman; September 27th, 2006 at 09:52 AM.

September 26th, 2006, 11:43 PM	#36
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Terry, the old Hi-8 format A1 was my first Canon camcorder. Nice to run across somebody who remembers it. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 27th, 2006, 02:13 PM	#37
Terry Lyons Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alta Sierra Posts: 182	Yes that was my first Canon video camera also. Boy was I so excited to have that! __________________ TAG

September 15th, 2006, 01:13 PM	#31
Tim Le Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 350	I don't think there is a dedicated DC input jack. To power the camera off wall power, you need that dummy battery plate from a CH-910 or DC-920. If you look closely, there is a small grommet on the battery compartment hatch. I think this is a pass-thru for the cable for the dummy battery plate from the CH-910 or the DC-920. Another clue is on the Japanese page for XH accessories ( http://cweb.canon.jp/cgi-bin/prodv-o..._op.cgi?_XHG1_ ) it says both the CH-910 and DC-920 are compatible with the XH series cameras.

September 15th, 2006, 01:56 PM	#33
Tim Le Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 350	No problem Chris! I've been staring at these XH photos so much to pass the time waiting for these cameras to arrive, I know every nook and cranny by now :) Too bad the manuals can't be released ahead of time. That would make for some mighty fine reading.

September 27th, 2006, 02:43 PM	#38
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	A friend of mine had an A1 back in those days, and I had a BVW300, which as you know only used the 20 or 30 minute mini Betacam tapes. Occasionally somebody would want me to shoot a seminar. If it was a decent job I'd rent a BVW50 deck and second BVW camera, but lots of them were not quality critical for the video. So, I would use a little Hi-8 portable deck we had and could get two hours out of that. Sometimes I'd use the friend's A1 as a reverse angle on the audience. It was always softer, but I got by with it, and the audience cutaways saved me more than once. Sony actually made a 1/2" chip professional Hi-8 camcorder that looked exactly like the UVW100 Betacam camera, but the little A1 looked damn near as good and was a heck of a lot cheaper.

September 27th, 2006, 07:00 PM	#39
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Boy we are so far off topic now but I can't resist. Bill I think that Sony pro Hi-8 was the EVW-300. The king of all Hi-8 cameras, at least those that weren't dockable. See http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...ny_EVW-300.jpg __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 27th, 2006, 07:05 PM	#40
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	BTW, have we determined for certain that the dummy charger plate is actually useable, presumably through a port in the battery compartment lid? It must be so, as I just couldn't imagine having a pro camcorder that could not accept wall power but would be nice confirm it. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

September 27th, 2006, 07:09 PM	#41
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	I should be able to confirm it for you, with photos, in about 24 to 36 hours from now. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 28th, 2006, 11:25 PM	#42
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	As promised, here it is: the guess about the access tab on the door is correct (click photo to see big). By the way, Canon USA has asked me to demo these cams today for a group of college / university video program coordinators (as I do for CUSA and other companies from time to time at various trade shows and other events), so I have access to the A1 and G1 for a short time. So let me know what else I can show you. Attached Thumbnails __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 10th, 2006, 09:06 AM	#43
Kevin Shaw Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,488	XH-A1 battery life? Just wondering what battery life for the XH-A1 is like in recording mode, both with the standard battery that comes with the camera and any bigger batteries available from Canon. Also, is there an indicator somewhere to estimate battery life remaining, and if so where and in what form?

November 10th, 2006, 11:53 AM	#44
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	An energy hog is the best description I can give you. The battery that came with gives me about 2 hours or continuous operation. That might be because I use the flip out LCD over the eyepiece. I just ordered a BP970 that is supposed to give 6.7 -7.5 hours of life. We shall see. __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

November 10th, 2006, 06:06 PM	#45
Noel Evans Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 157	Heh this is one thing I need to be a bit more aware of, I have not stopped for a second to check battery times and its pretty important that I know. I have the 970. An hour use here and there hasnt seen the bar go down at all. Ill keep a closer eye on it in future. I am using the lock function a lot so it saves me power.