Yes, I'm sure it's limited to cheap Chinese batts like that one I had. My problem is, on the HC5, if it ain't Sony, it won't work.

EDIT: Deep joy! I've tried the charger into the camera again today, and it's fine. I'm guessing the camera has overload/short circuit protection, possibly thermal, so it's cooled down and reset itself. Which is good. On the hunt for some decent batts now.