Auto Functions With External Powering; Power Consumption Variables - Sound Devices 788T-SSD User Manual And Technical Information

Auto Functions with External Powering

The 788T can perform several functions when DC power is applied and removed from the recorder.
External power functionality is set in the Setup Menu option POWER: EXT POWER FUNCTION. Op-
tions available include:
• Power On Unit – unit will turn on and be ready for operation.
• Power On and Begin Recording – unit will power on and begin recording with the settings
used when previously powered down.
• Power On, Power Off Unit – external DC functions as the on/off switch.
• Power On and Begin Recording, Power Off – unit will power on and begin recording, then
turn off when power is removed.
These functions are useful when the unit is part of a production kit powered by a single power
source. A single power switch can be used to power on the whole kit.
In addition to the internal record timer, the auto functions (power on/begin record/power off) can
be used for more extensive unattended recording control. Using an outboard timer attached to a
DC supply the 788T can be placed and activated to record events including EFX or nature, and for
surveillance applications.

Power Consumption Variables

The 788T draws power from either its on-board Li-ion battery or from external DC sources. Two
factors need to be considered to calculate battery runtime—battery/power supply capacity and unit
power consumption. The best determination of your run time is to experiment with a given record-
ing setup.
The 788T power consumption varies over a range between 4 W to 20 W (12 volts), depending on ac-
tive functions. The following functions have the most signifi cant affect on power consumption:
Inputs
Drive Activity
Microphone Powering
Battery Chargers
Meter Brightness
LCD Backlight
If the Setup Menu option POWER: BATTERY CHARGER is set to any mode that charges the battery
while the unit is off, the 788T will use 390 mW while powered down.
788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
Active inputs increase power consumption. If recording solely to input 1 and input 2, disable
inputs 3-8 to reduce power consumption. Analog inputs and the microphone preamps draw
current whether they are idle or active. Active inputs draw 1.5 W compared to deactivated
inputs.
When the unit is recording to or playing back from the internal drive, power consumption
raises by approximately 2 W. Recording to CF only will greatly reduce power consumption.
Phantom powered microphones draw power for operation. Up to 4 W can be drawn from the
phantom supply.
Depending on the charge state of the on-board Li-ion, the charging circuit can draw ~10 W
from external DC.
When the 788T is on, the internal Li-ion time code battery is charged from the removable
L-mount battery if an external DC source is not connected.. This may slightly reduce the re-
movable battery's run time.
The LED brightness can be lowered to conserve power.
The backlight can be defeated to conserve power.
83