Camcorder battery question

[moe_b_disc]

What are people's opinions out there regarding using non-OEM generic camcorder batteries? I have a Sony DCR HC32 and I need to get a spare battery, however I don't want to pay a whole lot if the generic ones will do the same thing. What do you all think?

Thanks,

MOE

[Bodyslide]

I had to replace a battery for my Sony camcorder about a year ago. I used a non sony brand. No issues at all. I have used it for for than 500 hours of recording.

[edDV]

They usually work OK. Look for "Japanese Cells" in the description. All Lithium Ion batteries give out over 2-4 years. I find it best to buy extra batteries on a staggered schedule so that they don't all go weak at the same time.

[MJA]

I bought a generic one for Optura 60 on ebay.com $12 shipped"Japanese Cells". works fine .i never used the one it came with the cam yet

[stantheman1976]

i have 3 extra batteries that are all off brand and have never experienced ayny problems.

[p_l]

Just avoid Optex.

[nwo]

i pay 80% less than the real panasonic and if they last a
year that great!.

Like last week a got one from ebay £14.00 + p&p for PV GS400
7 hours it lasts, if i got the same one but a panasonc it would cost
about £120....

[madymo3d]

Great to see so many people recommending generics. I just got a 2 1200mAh batteries from eBay for my ZR200. After fully charging them, they each show having 61 minutes of recording time left, exactly the same as the OE 750mAh. I believe the camcorder isn't recognizing a higher capacity battery so it assumes 750mAh. I did not see any reference to battery settings in the manual, and did not find any posting after searching 'battery' in the forum. Anyone know what I need to do? Do I need to tell the camcorder everytime I change to a battery of different capacity?

[junkmalle]

mAh ratings for batteries are almost meaningless. Manufacturers use different methods of determining the value. The results will vary depending on how fast they're drained, the temperature, and exactly what they consider fully drained.

[madymo3d]

After thinking about it a bit, I realized that unless the battery has a chip in it, which I doubt, then of course there is no way for the camcorder to know how much time is left. The camcorder must be calibrated based on voltage, so 750mAh and 1200mAh batteries having the same voltage would both show the same time left.

[Tom81]

I have lithium batteries 8 years old, that still work like new.

[Retlaw]

madymo3d - most likely the 61 minutes is the time left on the tape and not the battery. I have a Canon Optura 30 (probably similar screen display to your ZR200) and the time left is the time on the tape not the battery. The battery "life" is a graphic just below the time left. (check page 27 of your manual - it is available on-line at http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=DownloadDetailAct&fcategoryid=326&modelid=11004

To the original question - I have used non-OEM batteries for years and never had a problem (and they are much cheaper).

[madymo3d]

madymo3d - most likely the 61 minutes is the time left on the tape and not the battery.

Yes, I am dumb . You're absolutely right, the 61 minutes is for tape left. I realized that couple days ago I was hoping no on would notice.