Hoo Ray!!

[skeeter]

I have a Sharp Mini DV camera that started giving me problems last year. I would turn the camera on and it would flash the word DEW after being on for about 5 seconds, then shut off. The camera has never been left out in the weather. I have taken it to a couple camera shops and they all said they can not find anything wrong with the camera.

Well, yesterday, I got it out because I was looking for a video tape. I was thinking the tape I was looking for was left in the camera. I charged the battery, so I could open the video tape hatch. This morning when I turned the camera ON, the word DEW never appearred!! The camera stayed powered up and is taking pix and video like nothin was wrong! I really like this camera cuz it is th only Mini DV camera that I have found that has a flash for takin still pix. The new Mini DV I bought( cuz my old one was broke) has a light, but no flash. Looks like my old one is coming out of retirement!!

[WoJo]

Did a Google search and it appears lots of people have this problem.

[skeeter]

Did a Google search and it appears lots of people have this problem.

what does that DEW message mean? Camera has never been left outside. I used it on a hunt last year with no problems one evening. The next morning it wouldnt work. I'm gonna carry my other camera for a back up.

[Pat Miller]

It's changes in temperature that make the DEW warning come on as the electronics/boards are very sensitive to climate change. It sometimes doesn't take much.
What I do is open up the tape carriage (eject the tape) and let it AIR DRY if you're not in a hurry. If you're in a hurry, use your hair dryer on low temperature and it should work.
I also carry a 12vdc dryer for in the field if I'm shooting a high dollar video.
Another trick is to ALWAYS use the same type & NAME BRAND of tapes because your tape carriage will recognize it once it's been broken in. The different types of tapes are made with a 'dry' emulsion and a 'wet' emulsion that when mixed can clog up you're tape heads.

[skeeter]

It's changes in temperature that make the DEW warning come on as the electronics/boards are very sensitive to climate change. It sometimes doesn't take much.
What I do is open up the tape carriage (eject the tape) and let it AIR DRY if you're not in a hurry. If you're in a hurry, use your hair dryer on low temperature and it should work.
I also carry a 12vdc dryer for in the field if I'm shooting a high dollar video.
Another trick is to ALWAYS use the same type & NAME BRAND of tapes because your tape carriage will recognize it once it's been broken in. The different types of tapes are made with a 'dry' emulsion and a 'wet' emulsion that when mixed can clog up you're tape heads.

I think the tape had something to do with it. The dew alert went away went I ejected the tape and removed it. I have taken several still pix with no problems. As soon as my wife gets home, I get a new tape to put in it. (camera bag is in her car) I'll keep you posted.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Dan,
When I am hunting, i do not bring my camera in the house if I'm going to be hunting with it in the morning. I leave it locked up in my vehicle when I'm at the lease. In the summer, worst thing in the world you can do is put your camera in an air conditioned car and drive for a long time, then get out and try to take pics in the heat. A good rule of thumb is to think of the camera like you would your car windows. If they get all dew'd up, you camera will too if you don't protect it. In the winter, if you're hunting, and you bring your camera into a hot camphouse you can pretty much guarantee it will "DEW" up... especially if the humidity is high.

Oh yea, my Sony TRV-950's have a flash, and they take pretty good pics (when you go off and forget your "real" camera).