[marcaaron22]

I have just bought a Sony DCR-SR30 Handycam with 30GB HardDiskDrive, I am wanting to know what the best optimum settings are for an indoor concert event, I am near the stage bout 10 rows back and the gig will last approx 2 hours, 2 1/2 hours max

[redsox_mark]

It's hard to answer this.
If the camcorder is new to to you, the best may be to use the auto settings!

If you want to use manual settings, you might want to change the exposure (if it looks too dark, or too much noise). It will depend on the exact lighting, you need to do that when you are there. You might want to set the white balance to "indoor", or use the one-push function (bring a white piece of card with you). If the stage lighting is very bright "spot meter" may help you get the right exposure.

Your camcorder can fit over 7 hours on the best quality setting, so use that. The supplied battery won't last the length of the show, a FP70 might (the combination of the supplied FP50 and a FP70 would), or you could get a FP90 which would be sure to last the entire show.

[marcaaron22]

What battery would you say was best for me to go for?? and where would you say is best place to get 1 from, Ebay, amazon.co.uk??

I am not wanting to pay a lot but yet i want a battery that will last say 3hrs to be safe

[redsox_mark]

You'll probably find them cheapest on ebay, especially non-Sony ones; but they may or may not work on the camcorder (Sony has logic to detect non-Sony batteries and reject them). Real Sony ones are expensive; I've bought them from amazon.
To be sure you get 3 hours you need a FP90 or FP91

[marcaaron22]

If i get a non sony 1, when i try it, how will know if its been rejected or not??

also will i be able to use the same charger that i am using now??

would this 1 be ok?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Battery-NP-FP3...QQcmdZViewItem

[redsox_mark]

If the battery is rejected it will give you an error (something like "non-info lithium battery detected) and the camcorder will shut off.

Any charger which can charge the FP series batteries should work.

[marcaaron22]

just looked at what battery I have at the minute, its an FP50, so how long would that last for a full constant 2hrs to 2 and half hrs??

also, could you list the compatable batteries and the lengh i can use them for on 1 full charge as this is all new to me, sorry if i seem to ask too much

[redsox_mark]

This information is all in the manual, page 16.
http://www.sonydigital-link.com/DIME...en&m=DCR-SR30E


But I’d take the numbers they quote as a best case, especially the continuous recording one, it likely won’t be quite that long.