Camcorder Maintenance Tips: Top Ten Tips for Handling a Camcorder
There are ten tips that I live by when handling my video camera. I know that if I fail to practice proper maintenance and handling procedures then I can almost ensure the death of my equipement. To avoid any costly repairs down the road, I try to take good care of my video camera now. You, too, can use these tips on handling your camcorder in order to ensure longevity from your device.
Tip #1: Keep the camcorder in a tightly sealed plastic bag when bringing it from a cold temperature to a warm temperature. This cuts down on condensation that can occur on the inside of the camera and cause damage to the heads or the tape. The camera needs to adjust to the change in temperature gradually, so keep it in the bag until it adapts to the warmer climate.
Tip #2: Ensure the proper handling of any tapes before using them in the camcorder. Do not stick any type of material in the small holes located on the cassettes. The cover should never be removed and the tape inside should never be touched. Any dust on the terminals should be cleaned off with a soft cloth. If the terminals are dirty or damaged, it can damage your camcorder or make your heads dirty.
Tip #3: If you know that a long length of time will pass before using the camcorder again, remove the battery and tape from the device before storing it. Every now and then, you will want to turn the camera on and play the tape for a few seconds. This is a preventive step to keep the camera running so that when you are ready to use it again, you will not be faced with any surprises.
Tip #4: If going to the beach, protect the video camera from sand. Sand can severely damage the camera where it can not be repaired. Store the camcorder in a plastic bag when not in use and have some type of protective covering while filming.
Tip # 5: To avoid a short circuit, keep all metal contacts clean. Do not let anything metallic get in close contact of the metal part of the connecting plate.
Tip #6: Stick to the manual about the operation of the camcorder when it comes to power supplies.
Tip #7: Unplug the camcorder immediately if anything gets inside the casing. Get it checked by a dealer before trying to operate it again.
Tip #8: The POWER switch should always be set to OFF when camera is not in use.
Tip #9: Do not operate the camcorder around any magnetic files or mechanical vibrations.
Tip #10: Never use old batteries with new ones in the video camera. Make sure that batteries are of the same type and are void of leakage.
There you have it. Those are my top 10 tips for handling your camcorder. With these tips, you can save yourself a great deal of trouble and money that comes with repairing, or replacing, the device. If you handle your camcorder properly, it will reward you will a long life span. Mishandle it and you will be sorry.
