Infinite Power! Panasonic DC Coupler (dummy battery) for LUMIX GH7, S5II, S5IIx, S9, GH6, GH5…
Photo Moment - June 10, 2024
This is a Panasonic-made USB-PD powered DC coupler (aka dummy battery) for most LUMIX cameras made since the GH3. Other than providing continuous power to your camera, on the GH7 it will enable recording high frame rate 4K video (4K120) to an external SSD.
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📄 Full Video Transcript
NOTICE: I've been asked a couple of times if the included AC adapter with the S5IIx would work to power the DCC18, and I mistakenly told at least one person yes. I was looking at the wrong power adapter; unfortunately the answer is NO . To be clear, just look at the power supply -- it should say 9V 3 A on it (or higher). While I haven't personally used this exact charger, I've been very happy with Anker products, and the Anker USB C Charger, 715 Charger (Nano II 65W), GaN II (which specifically can deliver 9.0V==3.0A) appears to be a perfect companion to the DCC18. Here's a global Amazon link: https://geni.us/Anker-Nano-II
Can i plug this into the charger that came with my s5iix? I just tried it and it didnt turn on. Does it have to charge for a bit?
@@KaplowStudio oh really. Ok if I said that in the video then that’s good — I honestly don’t remember. Did I include a link to the Panasonic page with known tested power supplies? But even if not it’s just specs. Anker makes a lot of great chargers. I’ll look some up tomorrow and leave links.
Maybe I shouldn't say charger but the power ac adapter that comes with the camera that you plug your USB c cable into. I see the the specs on it doesn't supply the amount you stated was required to power and operate. (9v 3amp 27 watts) do you know of an ac adapter that will work? It's been difficult tracking down a proper one that will give me power through the dc coupler. Don't want to damage the cam but not getting one that has been proven to work.
@KaplowStudio well now you’ve got me questioning myself. Did I say in the video that the OEM charger wouldn’t work? I’ll have to test all this tomorrow. Shoot I hope i didn’t give wrong info.
The original oem charger does work if I plug into cams USB port, but when I plug that coupler to the original factory charger it doesn't power on. Did I see you say the original charger that comes with only can charge and not power? If I need a 3rd party bank to plug into, can you recommend some lower priced alternatives? I want to keep it plugged in while shooting and don't want to be mobile.
Yes. There’s nothing to charge. That’s odd. The AC adapter works if you plug it into the camera’s USB port directly?
Could I connect it to the usb-c to usb cable that came with my S5IIX and use the plug that came with the S5IIX as well? Or do I need to buy a special usb-pd cable and get another power adaptor? Which one would be the most useful if I do have to buy one? Thank you!
@@photojoseph Thanks!
Yep! You can use the AC adapter and cable that came with your camera.
Can you use power banks with this and if yes what would be your go to Power banks to use with this? I'm thinking of using this with an S5IIx recording to an external SDD via USB C.
I don’t have any particular brands, just make sure the output is sufficient. If the form factor works for you, look at SmallRig v-mount batteries. I like that the new ones tell you the output and estimated time left.
Hey, I've got a streaming setup where I'll just leave the camera permanently plugged in to the coupler, is this what I need? Will this damage the camera having it permanently plugged in?
This is what you need and no, it won’t damage the camera (as long as it has ventilation so won’t overheat — don’t wrap it in a blanket or anything!). Also one piece of advice — once you’ve dialed in your camera settings, power the camera off and back on with the on/off switch. The camera settings aren’t written to memory until you do that. So if you don’t, and the camera power cycles (due to power failure, or it’s unplugged, etc.), your settings will be gone.
After shooting straight to SSD for a week, I don't want to go back. The only thing I'd really like to see is 4k120p to SSD from battery. I understand it might be a power draw limitation, but if it's just out of concern for battery life, I hope they enable it with a firmware update. At least allow burst shooting. Or pixel to pixel 120p. I think a lot of people will want to shoot to ssd for wildlife. Great for taking a reckless number of photos. The buffer clears much faster. Sorting and editing is noticeably faster. And it's where 120p really shines. Though, if it's between ProRes and 120p I'll probably pick ProRes most of the time, but it would be nice to have the option! 🤗
It’s a power issue. You simply need the additional voltage. You can pair a battery bank to the dummy battery to get it portable though.
Will it work on a GH5s?
@@photojoseph Thank you
The DCC18 would be awesome, if I could buy it. All I can find is 3rd party versions of the DCC17, but the idea of plugging a universal DC plug from a 3rd party coupler into a 3rd party battery into a new camera makes me feel like Christopher Walken in Deer Hunter.
It’s not shipping yet. Very soon I think though.
This is great. Need to try that with powerbank
Totally works as long as the power bank can output 27W
For my purposes I like using a USB battery to power my Panasonic S5 and my external monitor. They both have their own internal batteries, just in case a cable gets unplugged, neither of them will completely shut off. The USB C cable for my monitor has a USB-PD to barrel plug adapter that requests the battery to supply 12V to the monitor.
Excellent, just waiting for it to get in stock.
@BootStrapTurnerVideography says “coming soon” so that usually means they haven gotten any yet.
Just an update, still on back order from B&H.
With DC 18 I can power my osee t5+ external monitor from camera battery?
No. The DCC18 converts power from a DC source for the camera. However whatever that source is (i.e. a SmallRig battery) can also power your monitor (and many other things).
Does it work with the original LUMIX S5?
Sean with the Lumix USA channel kept saying this wasn't possible. I knew it was. Just needed the right electronics inside. Glad they finally made this.
Ahh. Secrets gotta be secret until they’re not, I guess!
@@photojoseph He said it wasn't possible to make a dummy battery that would run off USB PD.
Said what wasn’t possible; a DC adapter running off USB-PD?
Thanks for clarifying! The descriptions I was looking at made it sound like the DC coupler only worked on the GH7, really glad to hear it works on all the other same-battery cameras (GH6, etc) as well!
Short and straight to the point. Doesn't need anything else.
Was caught off by how to the point this video was
Haha short topic; no need to belabor the point!
Omg that macbook charger must be so old, it's huge
LOL not at all… M2 Max MacBook Pro, bought last year.
Do they make one for d-tap or barrel connections, or just usb-c?
@@lukejpme I believe so. I'm thinking of upgrading from the GH5 to the GH7 and trying to plan out my rig ahead of time.
I work for Panasonic- we love standards for electricity delivery and there is no standard for the type of power or communication (at least not one with a recognized governing body) delivered via P or D tap. That is why we won’t offer one. SAE… we need you
Just USB. Kondor blue makes one for d-tap and possibly other connections too
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