Battery,Tape Change Shuffle!!!

[Scott Holchin]

I am going nuts here with the batteries and tape changes etc. etc. I'm new to shooting and I have two old Canon xha1 cameras. I cant wait to get some more experience and work up to a non-tape based camera.
I did a Choir concert yesterday, I was going nuts. Changed two camera tapes during performance, no problem but after Canon has serviced cameras some times they still have drop-outs (sucks) then my battery on my Lilliput monitor did not last and died after one hour, no fun, and my GoPro which I like to use here and there for a special shot dies after 30min. I need to get gear that can last at least 3 hours. I no they sell battery add ons for the GoPro I may need to look into that or I need to place where theres power. Yesterday I had to place the GoPro 20min. before doors opened and that kills my battery time with it.
At least my camera batteries last a long time, but I did make the mistake of buying batteries off of Ebay and those's battery's last 30min. not 6 hours O well you live you learn. (I know I know this is why the pros get paid.)

[D.J. Ammons]

Scott, sounds like you also need to get a monitor that does not have an internal battery. Lilliput makes them that use Sony camera batteries. The generic version of these batteries can be found for less than $20 and will power a small monitor for hours. I have two HD monitors (7" and 8.9") that use these common batteries.

I am surprised about the dropout you are getting from you HDV tape. I shoot with two Sony V1U's that use HDV tape and the only issue I had was four or five years ago. I started out using a certain Panny HDV tape because online research showed it as about the best. Then I ran into a couple of tapes with minor dropouts and found out online that apparently others were experiencing the same thing with the tape. A bad batch had apparently made it out of the factory. I switched to the basic Sony HDV tape that comes in the blue wrapper and in the last four years or so have not had a single dropout on any tape.

It would seem very strange for both camera's to have an issue that would cause the dropouts. I would be much more suspect of the HDV tape. Particularly if you are using tapes from the same pack. You might want to try a different brand.

[Peter Rush]

Don't buy cheap batteries - they are false economy and unreliable! Regarding your GoPro - buy an inexpensive (£25) USB battery and it will run your GoPro for hours - mine easily lasted an hour long Catholic ceremony yesterday plus the speeches and first dance no problem.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lightning-Se...ds=usb+battery