Sony QM71D Battery life at DVinfo.net

Chris Li · July 26th, 2006, 07:07 AM

The little battery that came w/A1 lasts less than 1 hr.

What kind of time can I expect from the bigger QM71D? 2hrs w/LCD?

91D is just too big.

John Hooper · July 26th, 2006, 10:55 AM

I have a "clone" QM-71 made by Hahnel, which shows I have over 250 minutes when I put it on the A1 after a charge.

Just as I was about to start another thread on this subject I thought that I should reply to this one. I have found that obviously battery duration depends on various factors such as power zoom use, rewinding etc.

So how accurate should the InfoLithium display be?

I have found that the viewfinder display tells me that I had 40 minutes left in record mode, but then a couple of minutes later the low battery indicator showed up and soon shut down. Is this typical, or do I have a faulty battery or camera?

Alex Thames · July 26th, 2006, 01:38 PM

If I remember correctly, it's about 3 hours with LCD (but depends on how much zooming and such too). Without LCD, even longer.

Bob Bitteroot · July 26th, 2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hooper

I have a "clone" QM-71 made by Hahnel, which shows I have over 250 minutes when I put it on the A1 after a charge.

Just as I was about to start another thread on this subject I thought that I should reply to this one. I have found that obviously battery duration depends on various factors such as power zoom use, rewinding etc.

So how accurate should the InfoLithium display be?

I have found that the viewfinder display tells me that I had 40 minutes left in record mode, but then a couple of minutes later the low battery indicator showed up and soon shut down. Is this typical, or do I have a faulty battery or camera?

John,

I'm sure your camera is fine. The clone battery you speak of is most likely made in a back alley somewhere and sold by a shady character, that's why it doesn't work. There are plenty of clone batteries out there, but from what I read on these posts there are plenty of problems with them. When I bought my A1U I spent the extra money and bought two genuine Sony QM91's from B+H. The extra money is worth it to me so I know they will actually work.

With these two batteries (and the one that came with the camera) I can probably shoot for most of the day. They last a good many hours. Buying batteries from Ebay or wherever may save you money but it's most likely they won't work worth a darn. I've heard of a few exceptions, but in general this is the case.

I haven't heard great things about the "Impact" batteries either, so I'd stick with Sony. Buy 'em from B+H or another reputable dealer. Good luck.

John Hooper · July 26th, 2006, 03:31 PM

Hi Bob,

I live in the UK and Hahnel are quite well respected manufacturers based in the Irish Republic. See www.Hahnel.ie

The battery works OK, but I was concerned about the information shown in the viewfinder about reserve battery time. Even the supplied Sony battery today showed I had 14 minutes left when in replay mode, but suddenly a minute later the low battery warning appeared and the camera shut down. That is why I asked how accurate that sort of information should be? At what point should the low battery warning appear?

Tom Johnson · July 26th, 2006, 03:54 PM

cheap batteries are just that cheap!!! Buy oem stuff for the camcorder because hc1 only will take a m series lithium ion with a memory. The camera will reject cheap batteries of the same model #. But buy cheap batteries for the on camera video lights they work great...

Alex Thames · July 26th, 2006, 05:14 PM

On my genuine Sony battery (71), I was able to get to 5 minutes left showing on the battery level meter with LCD on. So, it's pretty close in my experience so far. However, on other Sony camcorders and genuine Sony batteries, I've noticed it will suddenly jump from 40 minutes to 0 and turn off.

John Hooper · July 27th, 2006, 02:21 AM

Tom:

I agree with you, but the Hahnel battery has a chip built into it to mimic the InfoLithium technology. It is not simply a cheap battery. My comments were not about the battery, which works fine, but about how accurate the technology should be.

Alex:

Thank you, that is the sort of reply I was hoping to get.

July 26th, 2006, 07:07 AM	#1
Chris Li Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Wash. DC area Posts: 154	Sony QM71D Battery life The little battery that came w/A1 lasts less than 1 hr. What kind of time can I expect from the bigger QM71D? 2hrs w/LCD? 91D is just too big.

July 26th, 2006, 10:55 AM	#2
John Hooper New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: United kingdom Posts: 12	I have a "clone" QM-71 made by Hahnel, which shows I have over 250 minutes when I put it on the A1 after a charge. Just as I was about to start another thread on this subject I thought that I should reply to this one. I have found that obviously battery duration depends on various factors such as power zoom use, rewinding etc. So how accurate should the InfoLithium display be? I have found that the viewfinder display tells me that I had 40 minutes left in record mode, but then a couple of minutes later the low battery indicator showed up and soon shut down. Is this typical, or do I have a faulty battery or camera?

July 26th, 2006, 01:38 PM	#3
Alex Thames Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 508	If I remember correctly, it's about 3 hours with LCD (but depends on how much zooming and such too). Without LCD, even longer.

July 26th, 2006, 03:31 PM	#5
John Hooper New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: United kingdom Posts: 12	Hi Bob, I live in the UK and Hahnel are quite well respected manufacturers based in the Irish Republic. See www.Hahnel.ie The battery works OK, but I was concerned about the information shown in the viewfinder about reserve battery time. Even the supplied Sony battery today showed I had 14 minutes left when in replay mode, but suddenly a minute later the low battery warning appeared and the camera shut down. That is why I asked how accurate that sort of information should be? At what point should the low battery warning appear?

July 26th, 2006, 03:54 PM	#6
Tom Johnson Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 82	cheap batteries are just that cheap!!! Buy oem stuff for the camcorder because hc1 only will take a m series lithium ion with a memory. The camera will reject cheap batteries of the same model #. But buy cheap batteries for the on camera video lights they work great...

July 26th, 2006, 05:14 PM	#7
Alex Thames Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 508	On my genuine Sony battery (71), I was able to get to 5 minutes left showing on the battery level meter with LCD on. So, it's pretty close in my experience so far. However, on other Sony camcorders and genuine Sony batteries, I've noticed it will suddenly jump from 40 minutes to 0 and turn off.

July 27th, 2006, 02:21 AM	#8
John Hooper New Boot Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: United kingdom Posts: 12	Tom: I agree with you, but the Hahnel battery has a chip built into it to mimic the InfoLithium technology. It is not simply a cheap battery. My comments were not about the battery, which works fine, but about how accurate the technology should be. Alex: Thank you, that is the sort of reply I was hoping to get.