Dew Formation
•What is “dew formation”?
When cold water is poured into a glass, dew drops form on the glass. This clinging of water drops is called dew formation.
•When dew forms in your camcorder.
Dew will gradually form on the head drum of your camcorder and make the video tape stick to the head. This causes damage both to the head and the tape. When dew formation occurs, recording and playback may not function properly.
Dew is likely to form in the following circum- stances:
•when moving the camcorder from a cold place to a warm place,
•when placing the camcorder in a cold room which is then heated rapidly,
•when moving the camcorder outdoors from an air conditioned room,
•when placing the
camcorder in the direct path of air blowing from an air conditioner,
• when placing the camcorder in a humid room.
•How to prevent trouble due to dew formation.
When using the camcorder in a place where dew formation is likely to occur, allow the camcorder and the video tape to acclimate to the surroundings for about one hour.
For example, when bringing the camcorder indoors after skiing, place it in a plastic bag and allow it to adapt to room conditions for some period of time.
Plastic bag
QBe sure to tightly seal the plastic bag containing the camcorder.
WRemove the bag when the air temperature inside it reaches the temperature of the sur- roundings.
•“Dew” warning feature
If dew forms, the word “DEW” flashes on the LCD monitor, and the power will automatically turn off in approximately 10 seconds.
QIf the word “DEW” flashes on the LCD monitor, remove the cassette, leave the cassette compartment open, and wait several hours to allow the camcorder to acclimate to the surrounding temperature.
WTo use the camcorder again, turn on the power after waiting for several hours. Be sure that the word “DEW” has disappeared from the monitor screen.
EDo not insert a cassette while the word “DEW” is flashing; this may result in damage to the tape.
RSince dew forms gradually, it may take 10 to 15 minutes before the dew warning feature engages.
•How to continually maintain good recording. If used in a variety of places, eventually your camcorder may not function properly due to accumulation of dirt on the head drum.
Please pay special attention to the following points when using your camcorder.
1)Dew formation on the head drum.
2)Worn video tapes:
Using a damaged or soiled video tape may also soil the head drum, causing the picture to be blurred or nothing to be recorded on the video tape. Do no use such a video tape.
3)The camcorder use in a humid or dusty place. Use in extremely humid or dusty places may cause damage to your camcorder.
•When the video heads become clogged. Using the camcorder when the video tape is dirty may cause the head to clog, producing noise on the recorded image or preventing the image from being recorded at all. Under such circumstances, contact the nearest Authorized RCA Camcorder Servicenter or your dealer for further advice. (Video head cleaning can be done by using a commercially available cleaning tape. However, excessive use of the cleaning tape may also cause damage to the video heads. Please read the instructions accompanying the cleaning tape carefully, before using it.)
References
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