Sony HDR-FX1 power consumption
by John Beale, July 9 2007
Mode
 Watts 
  REC standby
  REC PC-FW*
  REC tape roll
  -------------
  VCR stopped
  VCR play
  VCR rewind
  VCR FF		 6.0
6.4
7.1
---
3.0
4.3
7.0
5.3
120V input to AC-L15A adaptor (Watts Up)
using camera with LCD viewscreen open

*Firewire:  Except as noted, REC and VCR modes shown are without firewire connection.  Connecting the FX1 in camera mode via firewire cable to a computer (PC-FW) adds 0.4 W to the power consumption.  An active firewire connection adds 0.1 W to VCR modes.

Power readings taken from the Watts-Up meter generally fluctuate by +/- 0.2 W. Using the viewfinder, with LCD viewscreen closed, lowers the above values by 0.5 W.  REC standby power is 6.0 W either with or without a tape loaded.  

The AC-L15A was shipped with the FX1.  The older and larger AC power adaptor that came with the VX2k (Sony AC-L10A) is less efficient. Measured FX1 power use with the L10A adaptor is about 20% higher than the above values (eg. VCR FF is 6.3 W).

Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop (17" LCD, Pentium M 1.6G, 512 MB), recording HDV using HDVSplit from FX1 via firewire to internal 5400rpm 80GB HDD: 30 W screen bright, 24 W screen dim, 21 W screen closed.
Back to FX1 page.