I think I read in the manual that you need to charge the internal battery that keeps your settings and date and time configurations. They must have ditched the lithium watch battery in favor of this new system. I have only one problem. I never, ever, hookup my cameras to AC power at all. I had my XL2 from August of 2004 through December 2005 and when I sold it the AC adapter and "dummy" battery connector were still in the box wrapped in plastic. I charge my batteries on an external charger and I playback tapes on
a dedicated DV VCR. The camera aquires the footage and that is it.

So what am I asking?

Does anyone know if the internal battery gets charged by the actual Lithium ION batteries we use everyday? Or do we have to hook up the AC adapter to ensure that our settings stay intact? And if so....when can we expect the battery to discharge? After it sits for a few weeks, months,etc.?? If I have to I will hook the adapterto the unit but would rather the batteries just charge it automatically.

Thanks.

(if this is my biggest complaint then you know this is one kick butt camera!)

Hi,

You need to plug the camera in and not operate it. Only this will charge the internal batteries.

Best,

jan

Just to give a little more detail on top of Jan's reply, you'll need to connect the camera to AC power for about four hours initially, to charge the T/D batt. for the first time. The manual doesn't say much more than that (page 59), but if it's the same as other camcorders, you'll need to repeat this process once every three or four months or so, via AC power.

I have had the camera for just over 2 weeks and have never hooked it up to the AC adapter. It hasn't lost it's time date settings yet but I will plug it in this evening to be on the safe side.

Thanks Jan!

You too Chris!

You plug the camera in and DO NOT TURN IT ON to charge the internal battery?

You plug the camera in and DO NOT TURN IT ON to charge the internal battery?

That's correct. See pg. 59 of the manual.