GEAR MINI TESTS
SPECIFICATIONS Type: SB-U98 rechargeable lithium ion battery Mount: Sony BPU Outputs: 1xD-Tap Advanced, 1x D-Tap, 1x USB Type-A Capacity: 6600mAh, 96Wh Maximumoutput voltage: DC 16.8V Maximumdischarge rate: 6.4A/70W Dimensions (WxHxD): 41.5x104/6x69.5mm/1.6x4.1x2.7in Weight: 450g/1lb
IDX SONY D-TAP BATTERY SYSTEM £185/$188 IDX.tv
has been drawn for more than half an hour. One of the D-Tap ports is a conventional power output socket, but doesn’t charge the battery. The other is an Advanced D-Tap so can be used to charge the battery if you use a compatible charger. IDX sells its own VL-DT1 2A charger for £99/$84 if you don’t already have one. This charger uses the third pin on the Advanced D-Tap socket, constantlymonitoring the cell status and controlling charge accordingly. On the battery itself, a four-LED gauge indicates the charge state while whole internal circuitry provides over- charge, over-discharge, and high load overcurrent protection. The battery can also be charged via a conventional Sony-fit battery charger. IDX also sells the SB-U50 for £120/ $135, which has a single Advanced D-Tap port and a USB-A socket, too. It is roughly half the size, weight and power rating of the SB-U98 as it is a 48Wh/3300mAh unit. It’s ideal if you want to travel light, only need one D-Tap outlet and canmanage with the lower capacity. In use, both batteries have a robust and good quality feel, rather than feeling like some of the inferior no-
Many filmmakers don’t usually give much thought to the batteries they use to power their cameras, especially for common-fit cameras like the Sony FS and PMW-series. Most either buy additional large-capacity Sony BP-U batteries, or savemoney by buying no- name brand lithium cells that also fit. But not all batteries are created equal, and the IDX range of advanced batteries in the Sony BP-Umount adds functionality that really can help streamline your camera set-up. The flagship is the 6600mAh, 96Wh 14.4V SB-U98 Li-Ion battery, which has a USB port and two D-Tap ports that can be used for powering your accessories. So, for example, instead of having an external monitor like an Atomos running off its own pair of batteries, and a powered LED light with its own power source, you can just plug them right into the camera battery. It simplifies the number of batteries and chargers you have to carry, and reduces weight and bulk on the camera. The USB output port is for power only, putting out 5V at 2.3A, ideal for charging your phone or other low- power device. To turn it on just push and hold the Check/USB On button for three seconds. It turns off once the cable has been removed or no power
IMAGES The batteries feel robust and well built, easily rivalling branded counterparts in this regard
“It reduces weight and bulk on the camera”
name brands. And the fit to the camera is solid, exactly like the standard Sony batteries. Of course, using one battery to power things like an external monitor does run the power down quicker, but certainly with the larger battery you get a decent run time. We got almost three hours using it to power a Sony FS5, an Atomos Shogun Inferno and charging up an iPhone XS Max. It alsomade the camera package much lighter, and less top-heavy. AD. PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Lots of power, lots of options and much cheaper than a Sony battery Pros: Two D-Tap sockets and USB power accessories Cons: You might need to buy a D-Tap charger
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PRO MOVIEMAKER AUTUMN 2019
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