Charging camcorder batteries - how long will it take?

[minniemouseuk]

Greetings!

I'm taking a camcorder to Disneyworld this year for the first time ever, and anticipate that I'll be filming just about everything!!

I've purchased batteries which last around 5 hours, and also take about the same amount of time to charge up.

Does anyone know how long-ish it would take to charge up using a British adaptor in Orlando?

Oh, I'll be staying in the All Star Movies hotel. If I leave it charging during the day when I'm out theme parking, are housekeeping likely to take it out the plug? I've stayed in Sports and Music before, but can't remember how many sockets there are!!!

Any help appreciated!!

Oh on a similar note, do they relevant shops sell mini DV tapes for digital camcorders in Disneyworld?

 

[AlanUK]

Hi MinniemouseUK

Your camcorder should come with a varaible voltage adapter that is capable of running on power outlets running anywhere between 110v and 240v. As long as you have purchased a US travel adapter so that it fits in the socket the charging times should be no different to those that you experience here in the UK.

Alan.

 

[minniemouseuk]

It came with an adaptor, but I'm ensure as to whether or not is "variable voltage". Will have to have a good read of the manual.

Thanks for your help. It is very much appreciated

 

[maleficent_man]

Videoing is very much each to their own but I know almost every time I watch mine back I think, my god, why did I film that?! I prefer now to take short amounts of lots of different things rather than all 45 minutes of a show like LMAX. As I say though, each to their own!

I wouldn't imagine that they would remove your battery charger in the hotel if you have left it on - I plan to do this with my digitial camera batteries.

Nick

 

[Julie L]

With our previous visits, once i returned to our hotel I would leave the battery on charge over night - by morning its all system's go again. My battery charger does not have a dual voltage switch - It charges up fine but may take a little longer than usual. By leaving it to charge overnight it really isnt a problem.

Happy Filming!!!!

 

[Tarzan]

Not sure how many other sockets there are but definitely 2 next to the bed nearest the bathroom and 2 next to the table and chairs. I know because we used one nearest the bed to charge my DS's gameboy and one near the table to charge the camera. I don't know how long they took though because it was either overnight or whilst we were at the parks.

 

[MazdaUK]

We had no trouble charging the batteries, again doing it overnight.

I would advise checking your recorded footage each day however. We didn't do this (to save batteries) and one tape does not seem to have recorded properly at all, and the other one has bits which look like they were filmed through venetian blinds

I think the rain at Epcot may have been too much for it on the first day (DH insisted I film him in the rain saying "Welcome to sunny Epcot ). He wanted to do a tape for a colleague who is also staying at CSR this year (but in September), and on the other tape we had the boys' video diaries. We seem to have some of the boys stuff (plus FOTLK which DH recorded (most of) the second time we went to AK, but camcorder battery ran out before the finale )

Have a lovely time

 

[wicket2005]

I think the rain at Epcot may have been too much for it on the first day:

It is not advisable to use any electronics in the rain unless they are in a waterproof case.

If you look at your adapter is should say on it what voltages in takes.

We charged batteries overnight which was no problem.

I would not film everything be selective, and cut it down. We have taped on two occasions and have found we tend to want to skip the shows and concentrate on seeing the kids. This year I am only going to take very short clips of shows (not the whole thing). The clips still give you a flavour of what you saw.

Another thing to watch is the humidity. Condensation can occur when the camera/camcorder is in the air conditioned room overnight then taken out into the hot sunshine. Desiccant sachets stored in camera bags should get rid of this condensation.

 

[MazdaUK]

FOTLK is the only thing we videoed - that's why we (tried to) do video diaries because what you want are what the kids think about it all. We varied the location - some in the room, some around the hotel, some in places in the parks. Shame it didn't work very well - having read the instructions the humidity was also a problem, in particular condensation caused by going from hot sun (very rare on our holiday ) into A/C

 

[wicket2005]

FOTLK is the only thing we videoed - that's why we (tried to) do video diaries because what you want are what the kids think about it all. We varied the location - some in the room, some around the hotel, some in places in the parks. Shame it didn't work very well - having read the instructions the humidity was also a problem, in particular condensation caused by going from hot sun (very rare on our holiday ) into A/C

Heh I like your idea of video diaries. Usually I have the camera and just film everyone else walking around. I think I will try that this year.