V-mount and gold mount are two battery plate systems used to power cameras, monitors and lights on video sets. They are different physical designs, so a battery of one type will not fit a plate of the other without an adapter or a combined plate. Choose by the plate your camera cage, lights and accessories already use, and confirm compatibility on the maker’s page before buying.
What the Two Systems Are
V-mount, sometimes called V-lock, was developed for professional broadcast and cinema work and is common across camera rigs and power accessories. Gold mount, from Anton Bauer, is the other long-standing plate system and has a loyal following in broadcast and field work. Both let you clip a large battery onto the back of a camera and often provide extra outputs for powering accessories.
Key Differences
| Trait | V-mount | Gold mount |
|---|---|---|
| Plate shape | Two-prong V-shaped plate with a lock | Gold-colored plate with a slide-on lock |
| Where it is common | Cinema rigs, lights, monitors | Broadcast and news style cameras |
| Accessory ecosystem | Wide range from many makers | Wide range, often tied to one family of products |
| Adapters | Plates and cables are widely available | Adapters exist, but check carefully |
| Typical fit | Independent filmmakers and crews | Crews with existing gear in that system |
What to Check Before You Choose
- Look at the gear you own. Cages, battery plates, chargers and light kits are often built around one system.
- Check what your lights and monitors accept. Many LED panels and cinema lights have a plate on the back that suits one mount.
- Think about capacity. Batteries are labeled in watt-hours, and larger capacity runs your rig longer. Compare the numbers listed by the maker.
- Look at outputs. Some batteries offer D-tap ports, USB ports or regulated voltage outputs for accessories.
- Check the camera’s power draw so the battery and plate can supply the load you need.
- Note travel rules. Airlines limit the watt-hour capacity of batteries you can carry, so read the current rules before flying.
Working Habits
- Use a matched charger and follow the maker’s instructions for charging and storage.
- Label batteries and rotate them, so you know which ones have been used on set.
- Use a plate with a reliable lock, and check it clicks into place before you roll.
- Carry a spare plate or adapter cable in your kit bag.
- Keep contacts clean and free from dust.
Cabling should be neat and strain-relieved, and cables should follow the cage to avoid snags when the camera moves.
FAQ
Can I use a V-mount battery on a gold mount plate?
Not directly. You need a plate or adapter made for that purpose, and you should confirm that it supports the power level your equipment needs.
Which is better for a small independent crew?
Many small crews pick up V-mount because many lights and accessories use it, but the best choice is the one that matches your existing kit.
The Short Version
V-mount and gold mount do the same job with different plates. Choose the system your camera, cage and lights already support, compare capacity and outputs, and confirm compatibility on the maker’s page.
