Can I fix "warning dew detected" on my Quasar by Panasonic Camcorder?

Question

I have the Quasar by Panasonic camcorder, model VM-L450. I purchased it a few years back as a display model. It worked perfectly until I went to use it at a school play and when I turned it on, it displayed "warning dew detected". I was indoors, I hadn't been using it outdoors or in any moist environment. I took the tape out, left the tape door open to see if it simply needed to 'dry out'. It stills gives me the warning and won't let me do anything. Is there a way to re-set the camcorder or is it dead?

Answer 1

Hello



With regards to your Panasonic camcorder, I hesitate to give you answers because I don't know many things you tried. One question I have though: Was your camera in a very cold place for a while before you brought it into a warm environment? If so, your camera will condense moisture on all the metal parts including the head assembly as soon as you move it into the warm. The head drum assembly on a VCR and camcorder spins at 60 RPS, if while the surface of the head drum has even the least amount of moisture on it and it comes in contact with the tape upon loading, the tape will adhear to the contact surface of the spinning drum and the damage could be vast. That's why the dew alarm is there in the first place and that's why when you have a dew warning your camera won't run as long as the dew alarm is on.



The dew alarm is telling you that there is moisture within the camera some place. It takes a little while for a cold video device to warm up to room temp before trying to use it. Even after warmup, there could be enough moisture within the camera to keep the dew alarm on for a long while. One way to speed the drying process is to try a hair dryer on a warm setting, direct the air stream into the open tape hopper (no tape) with side to side motions for a while. This will probably fix the problem. Don't ever try to over ride the dew alarm on a video device. It is possible that the dew alarm is malfunctioning, in which case a good repair shop should be able to fix it in short order.



There are times when one wants to video record in a cold environment; our kids on a snowey day, or ice skating on a pond. But, the best policy is not to allow the camera to get cold if you intend to use it soon after moving into a warm environment.



I am shockeedoc

Answer 2

The dew detector light is much like the engine light on a car. It comes on for a multitude of reasons, not just moisture.

Sometimes it just needs to have a cleaner run through it for 10 or 15 seconds. I would try that first.

Buy a dry type head cleaning tape. Do not buy the type where you have to squirt liquid onto the tape.

Sony, Fuji and Panasonic all make a dry type cleaning tape.

Moisture can build up in the camcorder if it's been stored an an area that isn't dry enough or where temperatures are not constant. The culprit is usually the tape that has been stored with it. After a while, oxides start falling off the tape and clog up the works.

The camcorder actually has a miniature dryer built in.

It only works with the AC adaptor and not with the battery.

Remove the battery and connect the AC adaptor.

Turn the camcorder to camera mode.

Open the tape door.

Let it sit that way for 2 to 4 hours.

Then unplug the adaptor, put the battery back on and see if that changed anything.

You can re-set the camcorder by removing all its batteries and power sources. That includes the little flat, round battery that keeps the clock and calendar working.

If none of this works, it needs to be professionally cleaned.

Answer 3

Quasar Video Camera

Answer 4

If it's just the moisture sensor that's faulty, then it shouldn't cost too much to have someone repair it (the actual sensor is quite cheap, but may cost quite a bit in labor costs to have replaced). Get a quote from your local repair shop, then decide whether it's worth replacing or getting a new camera. If you're prepared to risk it, you may be able to dry the sensor out by disconnecting the battery and power from the camera, and pointing a hard dryer (at its lowest power setting) into the open cassette door. I can't guarantee this will work, neither can I guarantee that this won't damage the camera (It shouldn't do, but there may be temperature sensitive components in there that could be damaged)

Answer 5

in basic terms incase some fool trys to sue them possibly saying they did no longer clarify what the outcomes are possibly? its like whilst they placed 'would incorporate nuts' on a bag of (youll in no way wager) PEANUTS *gasps* lol have a sturdy day XxX