Zoom H4n powered by USB?

Regnis

Regnis

Active member
Hello, I found this statement...

"The H4n can be powered by USB, but ONLY when it is being used as a USB audio interface or to transfer files."

What does it mean by audio interface?

My H4N absolutely kills batteries so i would like to power it with something like a morphie [FONT=Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]power station if possible. I have seen it done with a H6. Like in this video.. [/FONT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cgJvxLqeFc <----------- this is essentially the audio setup i would like (but with my h4n). Is it possible?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Adam
 
Regnis said:
"The H4n can be powered by USB, but ONLY when it is being used as a USB audio interface or to transfer files."

What does it mean by audio interface?
Click to expand...

Hi, Adam.

Many of these small recorders can be connected to a computer and used as audio i/o for recording to software on the computer. At this point, the H4n is not functioning at all as a recorder, but simply an input device. So, your recorder can only be powered by USB when connected to a computer for those two purposes: interface, or glorified card reader. It cannot be powered by a USB battery solution for recording in the field.
 
Jimmy Pierce said:
Looks like there are cables available to power it by USB. Never tried it on an H4n, just H6.

http://www.amazon.com/Coiled-Power-Cable-charge-features/dp/B0055E7XN8
Click to expand...

This has nothing to do with having the proper cable. It has everything to do with design from Zoom, and whether it can be powered by USB while simultaneously in standalone record mode... which it cannot.

In fact, the very first line in the description of the cable you linked:

Provide constant power to the Zoom H4n while simultaneously hot synching data with a PC by using our unique Coiled Hot Sync and Charge Cable
Click to expand...
 
Alex H. said:
This has nothing to do with having the proper cable. It has everything to do with design from Zoom, and whether it can be powered by USB while simultaneously in standalone record mode... which it cannot.

In fact, the very first line in the description of the cable you linked:
Click to expand...

However, the reviews of the cable indicate that they are, indeed, using it to do exactly what Adam wants to do -- powering the recorder in the field with a USB battery.

In fact, the very first reviewer says this: "The Zoom H4N eats up batteries. When I am on longer video shoots and there are no AC outlets, this cable, coupled with a portable battery pack, is a great solution."

If you watch the video from that reviewer, you will see that the cable doesn't connect to the USB on the H4n -- it connects to the power jack.
 
Good to know. It did seem rather odd to me that Zoom would not allow that function in the H4n, but there's some conflicting info out there.
 
Awesome stuff guys. Thank you so much! Now just looking for a good power pack...thinking the morphie range. Any suggestions?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top