Sorry, I just don't know the answer to your questions. I *think* that the camera will run on external power as soon as you plug the cable in. Personally I would not be comfortable "hot plugging" it, seems like an invitation to trouble if there's a spike or even static. Might be fine though.

Haven't tried the battery alarm myself. People report something like 4 hours run time on the big Sony battery IIRC. I have not yet run mine all the way down. The VX was a real champ on the NPF960 batteries, it would run for close to 8 hours. Don't think you will get nearly that much on the EX1 with the large battery.

Sean, i've got one of those swit batteries, it last's about as long as the big sony battery, plus it's got a D-tap output, so i can connect my swit s-2000 light as well.
The battery can also be used as a stand alone battery for powering the light from somewhere other than the camera.

Paul.

One use would be for powering Ross's new HDD or SDD's using Alex's adapter and not having to use an additional battery like the Sony phu-60 drive takes.

I use AC power on every interview I shoot, never had a problem. Just leave a battery on in case it makes you nervous.

good question ...
 

Can anyone answer this question. I've got this battery coming so I'll know at some point but do the contacts on the swit allow the battery to run the camera just as the Sony does?

No. You have to plug it into the DC on the back of the EX1. That's why you can't get a minute reading on the LCD. But you do save 70.00, and you can power a the light without the light having to have it's own battery.

Looks like this: http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-4973653...8_2066_5714506

Chadfish

So how would you power both the camera and simultaneously make a 14.4/5v stepdown to power a hard drive?