There is a common fault in Panasonic camcorders in which the "dew sensor", "condensation indicator", or "moisture sensor" is triggered (whether due to dew or not) and thus prevents the use of the camcorder.
The "dew icon" (a small red drop in a box on the LCD screen) appears and the "power light" starts flashing, then the cam corder switches itself off.
Does this sound like you?
Well... I have a....
SOLUTION!
SOLUTION!
SOLUTION!
SOLUTION!
This is for a Panasonic NV-DS65. Probably works for other models too.
I researched for about a week, tried everything. Eventually fixed it.
OK..
FIRST.. take out the battery, and in the space where the battery sits- hit it. Yes, physically hit where the battery goes- not too hard, not too soft. Firmly. No more than 10 times (I actually did it about 50 times, didn't work for me). Either with fingers in a tapping motion, with the palm or your hand in a shoving motion, or with the side of your hand like a Karate Chop! Apparently this works for lots of people (just google it if you don't bellieve me). It didn't work for me, but I sincerely hope it works for you.
IF THAT DOESN'T WORK..
it might be actual dew.. so take the battery out, take the MiniDV casette out, unplug it, leave the casette door open, and leave it in a warm room with a heater, fire, etc.. or even a hair dryer. Don't go overboard with the heat, just enough to evaporate it over 2 - 3 hours. Even overnight is fine. Also, you could even put the cam corder in a sealed plastic bag (GLAD bag) with some Silica Gel, that might work too.
If the "hit where the battery goes" trick doesn't work...
and the "eject the tape and let it dry out in a warm room" trick doesn't work...
here is a FINAL..
SOLUTION:
1. Get a "2.4mm" screw driver. Dick smith electronics, radio shack, etc.. any electronics shop sells them. As of August 2010, it costs about a dollar.
2. Undo the bottom/side screws (8 of them) of the camcorder, and remove the black bottom "plate" or "layer".
3. you will see various orange, brown, white wires etc.. plugs etc..
This is where the problem, and the solution, lie.
4. Get something firm yet soft (I used the end of a shoelace, the end thats wrapped in plastic. You could possibly use a cotton bud but I don't know if they are potentially dangerous to the electronics.. use at your own risk).
5. Gently nudge/push down on all the connections/plugs you can see. Not hard. Even if they appear to be in firmly, just very gently push down on them with your shoelace/cotton bud/etc..
6. With the bottom cover still off, plug in the power cord into the camera and try turn it on. Is the problem fixed? Sweet, glad I could help. Is the problem still there? Keep trying, you'll get it. Took me a few tries.
This worked for me. I hope it works for you. This is probably last thing to try before getting all technical and having to start removing components, soldering things, etc.... GOOD LUCK!!! GET THAT CAM CORDER WORKING!!!
The "dew icon" (a small red drop in a box on the LCD screen) appears and the "power light" starts flashing, then the cam corder switches itself off.
Does this sound like you?
Well... I have a....
SOLUTION!
SOLUTION!
SOLUTION!
SOLUTION!
This is for a Panasonic NV-DS65. Probably works for other models too.
I researched for about a week, tried everything. Eventually fixed it.
OK..
FIRST.. take out the battery, and in the space where the battery sits- hit it. Yes, physically hit where the battery goes- not too hard, not too soft. Firmly. No more than 10 times (I actually did it about 50 times, didn't work for me). Either with fingers in a tapping motion, with the palm or your hand in a shoving motion, or with the side of your hand like a Karate Chop! Apparently this works for lots of people (just google it if you don't bellieve me). It didn't work for me, but I sincerely hope it works for you.
IF THAT DOESN'T WORK..
it might be actual dew.. so take the battery out, take the MiniDV casette out, unplug it, leave the casette door open, and leave it in a warm room with a heater, fire, etc.. or even a hair dryer. Don't go overboard with the heat, just enough to evaporate it over 2 - 3 hours. Even overnight is fine. Also, you could even put the cam corder in a sealed plastic bag (GLAD bag) with some Silica Gel, that might work too.
If the "hit where the battery goes" trick doesn't work...
and the "eject the tape and let it dry out in a warm room" trick doesn't work...
here is a FINAL..
SOLUTION:
1. Get a "2.4mm" screw driver. Dick smith electronics, radio shack, etc.. any electronics shop sells them. As of August 2010, it costs about a dollar.
2. Undo the bottom/side screws (8 of them) of the camcorder, and remove the black bottom "plate" or "layer".
3. you will see various orange, brown, white wires etc.. plugs etc..
This is where the problem, and the solution, lie.
4. Get something firm yet soft (I used the end of a shoelace, the end thats wrapped in plastic. You could possibly use a cotton bud but I don't know if they are potentially dangerous to the electronics.. use at your own risk).
5. Gently nudge/push down on all the connections/plugs you can see. Not hard. Even if they appear to be in firmly, just very gently push down on them with your shoelace/cotton bud/etc..
6. With the bottom cover still off, plug in the power cord into the camera and try turn it on. Is the problem fixed? Sweet, glad I could help. Is the problem still there? Keep trying, you'll get it. Took me a few tries.
This worked for me. I hope it works for you. This is probably last thing to try before getting all technical and having to start removing components, soldering things, etc.... GOOD LUCK!!! GET THAT CAM CORDER WORKING!!!