Hack a DVX battery charger 4 Firewire(2.5) case!

Anomolee

Anomolee

Active member
Hello everyone,
So I've been trying to find the perfect method for dumping my P2 card in the field.
option 1: P2 store- problem: waaay too much money+have to swap out the p2 card.
option 2:self powered USB2 OTG device -problem: P.O.S.+ no LCD for file transfer progress.
option 3: 2.5 inch firewire drive. -problem: NO ONE makes a self powered(not bus powered) firewire case.

So there are those who have come up with a solution for option #3,
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.php?p=545511&postcount=12
BUT its hideous (no offense) and probably doesnt last that long.
and a lithium ion battery pack for the firewire casing isnt feasible because the spin-up process of the harddrive requires voltage that the lithium-ion pack cant provide.
SO. This is what I propose to my fellow intelligent dvxuser forum compadres:
Lets make a DVX/HVX battery charger hack to allow us to use our existing lithium ion batterys to power a 2.5 inch Firewire drive housing!!!
I know that there are plenty of uber cheap battery chargers out there that will fit the bill- This seems like the perfect solution to me let me know what you think!!!
:dankk2:
 
Vidled, have you done a Hvx transfer test with any hard drive cases connected to the 5 volt adapter you made? What type/capacity and how much run time if you did.

Thanks
 
mico said:
Vidled, have you done a Hvx transfer test with any hard drive cases connected to the 5 volt adapter you made? What type/capacity and how much run time if you did.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sorry, no. Don't even have an HVX.
Just supply the DVX/HVX adapter plate and voltage converter.
Run time will COMPLETELY depend on what enclosure you use. Keep in mind that the DVXuser DVX/HVX battery (or the Spec-Comm one) is about 40Wh, so that's quite a bit!

From what I gather, a 2.5" drive should use about 1W on idle, 3W on seek, and about 5W (max) on spin-up. Add a little for the external hard drive enclosure and the voltage conversion, but that still should give an excellent run time with the DVXuser (or Spec-Comm) battery.
 
Maybe I'm missing something but the firewire direct is bus powered not powered by a battery which I think is the reason for the thread. Dumping P2 in the field straight off the camera without the need for a laptop.
Vidleds seems like the only solution that can run without the fear of a dying small li-on.

Vidled went to your sight didn't see one with the required power connector. how to you go about ordering one?
 
lol mico you think im that retarded? thanks for the vote of confidence.

The firewire direct is self powered, by an internal lithium ion battery.

geeze. maybe i should go back to bed.


The most mobile design yet in a complete FireWire storage solution, the new Spark III EmPowered (Spark EP) will run on battery power for ultimate portability on laptops, desktop computers, video cameras and DV devices.

The Spark EP is unique and a first of its kind in its use of a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that will enable the drive to power itself, making this FireWire storage solution truly plug and play for iLINK (4pin) computers and laptops that would normally require power supplied by AC. Digital video users will find this drive ideal for working with cameras that support FireWire storage.

It can be moved on battery power without powering up or down, making it ideal for inter-office file exchanges and the battery will recharge itself automatically when plugged back into a powered FireWire port or when connected to the AC adapter so it's always ready to go.
 
Whoa. I said I might have missed something. I looked at the specs quickly and it said self powers off the firewire bus with no mention of the battery on the page you linked, did see "empowered" but no description on the page .

And maybe since it was bus powered you were implying its use witha laptop.

And with no specific battery monitor I would trust the dvxuser battery more than the Li-on anyway. Unless I missed that too.

Now I'll just back the F***k out:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
Thank you Jarred!!!
That FirewireDirect Spark III EmPowered (EP) is exactly what i was looking for! :love4:

Oh and Mico = lol
next time check the link better before ya post :dankk2:

And Vidled : would you mind posting how much the whole package would be to use a portable firewire disk like this one :
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10724
using one of the batterys you mentioned? :dankk2:
 
Hmmmmm
that link you gave is acutally bunk jarred. :(
apparently they dont offer that product anymore :crybaby:
Thats horrible- just when i had decided that the the massive dvx battery is too big for most occasions
but would work fine for tripod situations....
ugh maybe we can start a petition for Firewiredirect to bring back that enclosure and drop the price ALOT!
:nads:
:Drogar-Evil(DBG):
 
Anomolee said:
And Vidled : would you mind posting how much the whole package would be to use a portable firewire disk like this one :
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10724
using one of the batterys you mentioned? :dankk2:
Click to expand...

You'd ONLY need to power that externally IF you use USB2 connection, as it IS FIREWIRE powered.

Also, you'd need to find out what power requirements that thing takes, and what connection it uses.
 
So, let me get this straight... the Spark III could be attached directly to the HVX in the field, to download all P2 data direct... without need for a lap-top as a go between?

Also, the Spark III can be set-up with a RAID configuration. I'm sure there are benefits of using the P2 Store instead of this... but what are they?

And, if the benefits are not highly tilted in the P2 Store's favor, why aren't more people going this route?

Finally, Jarred, from what I've read from you before I wouldn't think that you would be using the Spark III for this... am I incorrect? If not, why not?
 
telebay said:
Also, the Spark III can be set-up with a RAID configuration. I'm sure there are benefits of using the P2 Store instead of this... but what are they?
Click to expand...

#1. When transferring from the camera, you do not have the option of using a separate card for continuous shooting.

#2. Data Verification

#3. Vibration protection. The P2 store actually parks the head as soon as it senses any vibration that may cause a head crash.

#4. Error reporting.

At the end of the day, the P2 store instills confidence that my footage is intact. Other solutions will certainly work, but lack many levels of protection. You truly do get what you pay for. The only thing I like better than my P2 store is the HVX itself. I wouldn't shoot without it.

If you climb a mountain, I wouldn't recommend buying cheap rope.

-filmstox
 
"If you climb a mountain, I wouldn't recommend buying cheap rope. "

Its better not to fall off anyway! Believe me I'm a survivor! :)
 
Thank you for chiming in Barry
That makes a HUGE difference...
4 times? thats not worth it.. at all-
its a very sexy enclosure
We need something like this but much longer battery life.
Looks I will be going with VIDLED's solution in the meantime.
 
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