August 24, 1998
Copyright Donald
Palomaki
Not released for commercial publication.
The Dolgin Engineering Power Mate
PM-1000.
Dolgin Engineering (web site http://www.alexvideo.com) has
released several accessories for the Canon XL1 camcorder. This
note examines the PM-1000, Power Mate battery voltage adapter.
The quick results
The unit performs as advertized, is easy to install and use, and offers a useful alternative to powering the XL-1, especially for users who already have an investment in Panasonic BP50 batteries.
Power Mate with the Azden wireless receiver
The PM-1000 adapter is designed to enable powering the XL1 from a
12 volt DC source, with specific support for the Panasonic 12
volt, 2.0 amp-hour gell cell batteries as used with the AG-456
and related camcorders. The Panasonic BP50 batteries fit in a
slot on the PM-1000 and a provided clip/cord connects the battery
to the PM-1000. You can use other Panasonic (and clone) batteries
such as the BP50 and the 2.3 AH models too, just check for a fit.
In addition, the PM-1000 includes a 4-pin XLR jack so other 12-14
volt batteries can be used as the primary power source.
The PM-1000 mounts on the Canon MA-100 XLR microphone adapter and
can be installed in place of or in addition to the bracket
furnished with the MA-100. The DC-900 cable furnished with the
XL1 is used to connect the PM-1000 to the XL1. However, Dolgin
Engineering offers an optional power connector with shorter cord
cut to the correct length (makes for a neater installation).
The PM-1000 has three red LEDs
that indicate the current battery voltage, 12, 11.5, and 11
volts. This will give an indication of the remaining available
battery runtime. The manual suggests that with the 2.0 amp-hour
Panasonic battery you will have about 5-10 minutes left when the
11-volt LED goes out. Note that , the visual battery indicator on
the XL1 is disconnected when an external power source (something
other than a Lithium ion battery in the battery compartment) such
as the DC-900 cord is used, so the LEDs are the most effective
and efficient way to display battery status.
With a BP50 battery (not furnished) the PM-1000 adds about 2
pounds to the weight of the X1, and it shifts the balance point
(center of gravity) a bit over 2" to the rear putting it
behind the tripod socket roughly under the Standby button.
Because the PM-1000's weight is fully over the shoulder pad, it
does not add to the weight carried by the users arms during
typical on-the-shoulder shooting. However, the weight is there if
you are doing hands-over-the-head shooting, and subjectively it
tends to smooth out camera movement a bit.
It takes but a minute or two to unpack and install the PM-1000
using the screws furnished with the MA-100. Because you can
retain the MA-100 bracket, you still have a place to hang your
wireless receiver. Tests (using a dummy load) indicate that the
adapter provides the specified 7.2 volts to power the camcorder
and can do so reliably with input battery voltages down to 9
volts dc (although going this low with a 12 volt battery
generally is not good for the battery). The voltage is fairly
clean DC, with less than 30 millivolts of ripple voltage (and the
ripple at a very high frequency). The adapter uses high frequency
(just below AM broadcast frequencies) switching regulation, so it
has a high energy efficiency, about 88% or better in my tests,
which is substantially better than the 60% you could achieve with
a simple series regulator, and this has the effect of extending
battery runtime. There was no noticeable heat generated in the
PM-1000. The battery voltage LEDs turn on/off at the specified
voltages. Note that as batteries age, the amount of runtime,
including the runtime remaining after the 11-volt LED goes out
will decrease. In my on-camcorder tests with a fairly new
battery, the 11.5-volt LED ran out after about 1:20 of runtime,
and the 11-volt LED turned off about 10 minutes later. This was
using the camcorder in the "green box" mode, at LP
speed on a tripod and no zooming. (Your mileage may be
different.) Thus it is probably best to change the battery as
soon as you can after the 11 volt LED goes out, but you may be
changing that battery a bit earlier as you change tape if you
adopt the suggested practice of placing the camcorder in standby
when not rolling tape. In use, the LEDs are by your right ear so
with a simple turn of the head you can check status.
Ok. So the PM-1000 works. Why would I use it instead of just
buying more Lithium ion batteries? Well, it is a business
decision and here are some points to consider. The BP50 gel cell
batteries are substantially lower cost than Lithium ion. You may
already have a substantial inventory of the BP50 (or similar 12-
volt batteries, perhaps belt packs) for use with other equipment
you already own. This means fewer different items in your field
kit and the PM-1000 can extend their usefulness. The lead-acid
battery technology is well established and reliable, and it is
easier to find replacements and chargers while in the field than
for Lithium ion. The PM-1000 carries a one-year limited warranty
covering defects in material and manufacturing. Dolgin
Engineering is also developing a version mounted on shoulder
brace for the XL-1, and a version that is not equipped with the
BP50 battery slot.
Power Brace PB-1000 ($249)
Power Mate PM-1000 ($189)
Dolgin Engineering
1019 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
(781)863-1813 or
toll-free (877)863-1813
By George Alford
Just over a year ago, in my Hands-On review of the Canon XL-1 (see WEV Volume 4, Number 1), I predicted a third party developer would hit the market with a product that addressed the problem of the XL-l's inadequate shoulder pad. That product has turned out to be the Power Brace accompanied by the Power Mate, both designed by Alex Dolgin of Dolgin Engineering.
The Power Brace PB-1000 is an integrated, full-fit, shoulder brace, battery holder and voltage regulator that attaches to the camcorder via the rear socket normally used by the supplied shoulder pad or the MA-100 microphone adapter. The Power Brace, which provides an alternative connection for the MA-100 mike adapter, includes a padded, contoured shoulder brace made of steel, which fits comfortably on your shoulder.
The Power Mate PM-1000 is a 12-volt battery holder/bracket which attaches conveniently to the MA-100 microphone adapter/shoulder pad - or simply put, the Power Mate is the Power Brace without the shoulder brace.
The battery used by both the Power Mate PM-1000 and Power Brace PB-1000 is the Panasonic 2.0 amp hour battery originally designed for the AG-455/456 camcorders. Dolgin Engineering claims this battery will power the camcorder for up to 90 minutes. Both the Power Mate and the Power Brace have a DC converter attached, which allows the use of any external 9-14 volt DC power supply.
Either the battery or a 4-pin XLR power supply can be plugged into the DC converter. A supplied "pigtail" wire connects the battery to the converter. A car-cord adapter fits in the battery slot on the camera and connects to the converter with a similar pigtail wire. On the side of the converter are fuel gauge (battery status) LEDs. The MA-100 microphone adapter attaches to the Power Brace while the Power Mate attaches to the MA-100. Dolgin Engineering also makes the Power Brace PB-1000/NP1 ($269) which accepts NP1 batteries, and the Juice Mate JB-1000 ($199) for use with Bescor MX-5C Juice Box batteries.
I had seen a prototype of the Power Brace/Power Mate at last year's WEVA EXPO. After the convention, Dolgin made further product refinements and recently released the units for sale.
To test the Power Brace/Power Mate we took the units (attached to the XL-1) to several weddings. One of my initial criticisms of the XL-1 camcorder concerned the weight distribution and balance. Unfortunately, like most handycams, the XL-1 is "front heavy" - all of the weight is out in front of you and must be supported by your arms and hands. The balance is very poor and operator fatigue can set in quickly during long days of hand-held wedding work. The XL-l's large lens tends to exacerbate this matter.
A basic technique for obtaining steady handheld shots with a shoulder-supported camera is to support the camera with your body by pulling your arms in against your torso. This is impossible to do with palmcorders. We found the XL-1 shoulder pad supplied by Canon, which was designed to rest upon your shoulder, is inadequate for lengthy shooting and tends to pull away unless constant pressure is applied.
The Power Brace PB-1000 (using the Panasonic battery) solves this problem by turning the XL-1 into a shoulder-supported camera while simultaneously changing the balance point, and redistributing the camera weight by adding about two pounds to the rear. During on-location wedding tests, I found that the Power Brace was comfortable and rested easily on my shoulder.
The battery, being on the extreme rear of the Power Brace, acted as a counterweight for the heavy XL-1 lens. Wedding videography, particularly reception scenes, calls for lengthy handheld takes. Non-stop shooting of the grand entrance, first dance, first music set, hora, and blessing can become overly tiresome due to equipment that's poorly balanced. Fatigue is a wedding videographer's archenemy. While using the Power Brace my arms didn't tire from supporting the camera as they did when using Canon's supplied shoulder pad. Most importantly, the Power Brace increased my ability to keep the camera steady, resulting in shots that were smooth and stable.
For XL-1 users who are happy with the supplied shoulder pad and only wish to power their cameras with less expensive, longer-running batteries, the Power Mate is an excellent option. This unit also moves the balance point of the camera by placing the battery weight behind the camera operator to ensure steadier and more comfortable operation.
The only thing I didn't like about the Power Brace was my inability to set the camera down in a sturdy, upright position. The Power Mate doesn't have this problem as it attaches to the camera in a slightly different configuration. I highly recommend both the Power Brace and the Power Mate to current and prospective XL-1 owners. The units are well built and designed to withstand the rigors of everyday recording. In addition, they will enhance the capabilities of XL-1 shooters.
George Alford owns Professional Video Services of Delaware, based in New Castle, DE, and is a multi-year Creative Excellence Award recepient. George is a member of WEVA's National Select Committee on Camcorder Development. He can be reached at galford720@aol.com.
WEDDING & EVENT VIDEOGRAPHY
This review reprinted with permission.
c.1999 Wedding & Event Videography (www.weva.com).
