Advice Please: Condensation Aftermath at DVinfo.net

Dennis Hull · November 27th, 2004, 06:49 PM

Brought VX2000 indoors after it had been outside in car at about 30F. Had not had condensation issues in past but this time when I tried taping got the warning icon about condensation and also error message on LCD "Cleaning Cassette." However, later I was looking at tape and I noted short length of video shot just before condensation warning was streaked with black bars--like picture in owners manual showing what picture can look like with dirty heads. And tape shot before I figured out what was going on with condensation warning also had black bars. Tape shot after camcorder warmed up was fine. VX 2000 manual says tape can stick to drum head in condensation condition damaging tape. I won't use that tape anymore, but wonder if I should run cleaning tape again? VX 2000 just had heads cleaned about two months ago and I don't use it all that much.

Mike Rehmus · November 28th, 2004, 10:09 PM

If it records fine, I'd not worry about it. Normal tape is somewhat abrasive and will clean the heads anyway. You can run a cleaning tape for 5 seconds if it will make you feel more certain about the cameras.

Dennis Hull · November 29th, 2004, 07:26 PM

Thanks Mike. Nothing like a run-in with a condensation issue to make me sit up and take notice of the standard warnings about proper care and feeding of the camcorder.

November 27th, 2004, 06:49 PM	#1
Dennis Hull Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Paul, MN USA Posts: 151	Advice Please: Condensation Aftermath Brought VX2000 indoors after it had been outside in car at about 30F. Had not had condensation issues in past but this time when I tried taping got the warning icon about condensation and also error message on LCD "Cleaning Cassette." However, later I was looking at tape and I noted short length of video shot just before condensation warning was streaked with black bars--like picture in owners manual showing what picture can look like with dirty heads. And tape shot before I figured out what was going on with condensation warning also had black bars. Tape shot after camcorder warmed up was fine. VX 2000 manual says tape can stick to drum head in condensation condition damaging tape. I won't use that tape anymore, but wonder if I should run cleaning tape again? VX 2000 just had heads cleaned about two months ago and I don't use it all that much.

November 28th, 2004, 10:09 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	If it records fine, I'd not worry about it. Normal tape is somewhat abrasive and will clean the heads anyway. You can run a cleaning tape for 5 seconds if it will make you feel more certain about the cameras. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 29th, 2004, 07:26 PM	#3
Dennis Hull Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St. Paul, MN USA Posts: 151	Condensation Warning Thanks Mike. Nothing like a run-in with a condensation issue to make me sit up and take notice of the standard warnings about proper care and feeding of the camcorder.