Condenstation

[Cipher5000]

hi,

I had a JVC GR-D30 camcorder. Lately with the tempatures rising and the humidity (I live in boston) my cam is having condensation problems. It will say on the LCD screen "Condensation, operation paused" and i can't use it untill the condensation goes away.
its very frustrating when it happens
is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening? And also, is this going to any how damage my cam?

thanks for your help

[makntraks]

hi,

I had a JVC GR-D30 camcorder. Lately with the tempatures rising and the humidity (I live in boston) my cam is having condensation problems. It will say on the LCD screen "Condensation, operation paused" and i can't use it untill the condensation goes away.
its very frustrating when it happens
is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening? And also, is this going to any how damage my cam?

thanks for your help

Well if you are storing it in your refrigerator that might be part of the problem... j/k
Obviously where you store it is not at an equal temp to the outside I guess... like here in Fla. and being one who wears glasses... as soon as I step outside in the AM they fog beyond belief due to the difference in the temp inside/outside... my glasses fog up instantaniously...
Then I get to drive!!!

makntraks

[tag]

You're going to have to let your camcorder adjust to the environment, regardless. You can try putting your camcorder in a plastic bag and waiting about an hour before using it. Ejecting the cassette and leaving the cassette lid open (with the cam OFF), might also facilitate the adjustment.

[Cipher5000]

Actually, the last 2 times its happned.......

first time my cam was left in a plastic bag under my desk.... I didn't notice it not working untill i went out........

the second time I left the cam tape lid open , when I left my house it was working fine........ but again, when I went to use it, I got the condensation message.....

So thats why i'm not sure what to do...... or if theres anything that can be done.

[johns0]

A quick fix would be do blow warm dry air in with a dryer,do not use hot air or you will cause damage.No damage occurs with condensation warnings,as longs as you dont pour any water in it.

[louthewiz]

The best way to combat this situation is to get a dehumidifier or turn on the A/C and it will solve all your problems ..

[Cipher5000]

Guys this is becoming a big problem, i'm losing out on Money becuase of it.


When I leave my house now, its fine, its when I'm out its happening. No AC's or dryers outside.....

Today forexample I checked it before i left my house, it was fine. while i was outisde i checked it again and it was still fine. About 3 minutes later i go to use it and BAM what do you know, condensation message. I opened up the tape lid and tryed to air it out.
its about 70 degrees today and 80% humidity, with a cool breeze even. its not THAT humid.
And wouldn''t you know it, the second i get back home, its working fine again

I've had this camera for exactly a year now, all last summer I think this only happened once, and it was fine within a few minutes.
Could soemthing be wrong with it?? it works fine when the condensation stuff isn't happening, but could something eb causing this to happen?

Does anyone know where in the camera the condensation forms?

Thanks for your help

[Cipher5000]

Ok, i am convinced that this message I'm getting has nothing to do with condensation or humidity at all. it happened again today, as soon as i left the house. Its only 30% humidity today too.
i was searching the net for this problem and saw that other people with JVC cams have the same problem, after about a year of owning the cam it just constantly goes into this pause mode.
I give up, i'm going to try calling JVC, and i already know they will probably tell me to ship it to them to have it looked at. Which they charge for..... even if nothing is wrong.

[Cipher5000]

Well its official, my cam is toast.........

I got my cam exactly a year ago 6/24/03 for $324 (usually is $450 or so) obviously not the top of the line camera, but it worked great for me and the quality was good.

I called JVC and they said I am still covered for parts, but to fix it, it will still be between $90 and about $135.

They told me the cuases for it breaking are using it in hot or cold weather, but mostly hot weather. And that is the problem, I use it mostly outside, usually in warm weather, especially now that the summer is here.

So i don't know what i should do now...... spend the money to fix it, knowing that the way I film is bad for it and it possibly will happen again? Or was it just a flute thing and it broke?

or do I go and get another one? If so what kind? I don't know alot about camcorders as it is, and I especially don't know which ones operate beter under weather conditions.......

I have been without my camcorder already for 4 days and I am lost without it!

Any suggestions about fixing this or not, or suggestions on other cams that are good and more durable are appreciated....

Thanks

[Cipher5000]

Incase anyone cares......


I fixed my camera......... how do you ask??

Well, I never did this before, and wouldn't recommend it, but I took it apart. I didn't see anything broke (not that I would know anyway) or change anything. i simply took it apart and put it back together again and now its working fine. I don't get that condensation message at all now.
JVC told me the sensor thing inside was broke, and "definately needed to be repaired"

I saved atleast $135

[Alan69]

Incase anyone cares......


I fixed my camera......... how do you ask??

Well, I never did this before, and wouldn't recommend it, but I took it apart. I didn't see anything broke (not that I would know anyway) or change anything. i simply took it apart and put it back together again and now its working fine. I don't get that condensation message at all now.
JVC told me the sensor thing inside was broke, and "definately needed to be repaired"

I saved atleast $135

Quite common really. Possibly your sensor was 'fixed' by airing it out. But more likely, some contacts on some of the connectors between boards etc have oxidized slightly from aging, and reassembly has wiped them clean again.

Glad that worked for you. If not the next suggestion was to disable the sensor yourself. Find out what the camera needs to see 'OK' then remove the sensor and fake it. Then a real condensing condition can cause harm, but if you're reasonably careful with hot to cold transitions then you can go a long time without problems. Better to have reliable use of the camera if it's making you money and replace it if needed later.

Alan

[Cipher5000]

Thanks Alan

Do you know where the sensor is? or what it looks like? As I said, I really had no clue what i was doing, i was just being careful and taking it apart.
i'm just curious as to where it is, so next time I can "adjust" it or whatever to get it working again......

[mdspine]

I have the same problem with the GRD-30- For example, this unit has been sitting in my family room with stable temp and humidity for 24hrs- I just went to dub the little bit of video I shot yesterday before it locked me out and sure enough. it "pauses" again after running for 10 minutes- I am sure the sensor is broken- but the camera is out of warranty- My question: Is there a way to disable the sensor- There is nothing in the user manual and JVC says to ship it- Otherwise I will drop it off the side of a building the way Letterman used to do with pumkins!