Hi, sometimes for no apparent reason my video camcorder will not load the cassette, it keeps ejecting it and the screen reads 'DEW'? is there a reset button? I have tried warming it with a hairdryer, charging it up, different tapes? and then sometimes it works perfect? my friend has the same model and it also has the same fault, we dont have the manual just in case there is a answer there, any ideas woeld be great, thanks

yasmin, March 2008

I have one of these cameras and have suffered the same problem quite a few times.. it hates damp conditions and problem is solved with patience, leave door open without cassette.. leave to air in dry place, blow with hair dryer.. leave for a while.. then try again putting taper in.. eventually i assure you.. problem will fix itself

Paul, October 2010

http://www.techlore.com/forum/thread/12209/

Read what OMlet says about re-soldering the dew sensor connections. I was about to bin my VL-Z1, but I tried this and lo and behold it worked - just a momentary touch on each connection to melt and the solder. Fantastic. Just be careful not to melt any plastic parts. I feel like I want to broadcast this to all VL-Z1 owners because I was so convinced my cam was dead. Now I just need to fix the broken DV socket...

David I, March 2008

Paste this into your browser - http://www.techlore.com/forum/thread/12209/

Read what OMlet says about re-soldering the dew sensor connections. I was about to bin my VL-Z1, but I tried this and lo and behold it worked - just a momentary touch on each connection to melt and the solder. Fantastic. Just be careful not to melt any plastic parts. I feel like I want to broadcast this to all VL-Z1 owners because I was so convinced my cam was dead. Now I just need to fix the broken DV socket...

David I, March 2008

This is a common fault, The Dew sensor has been activated!
The manual says to leave the cassette door open for about 1 hour- unfortunately its a bit more serious than that!- it needs repair from sharp- If it is a VL-Z1H you are ok and service can be arranged under warranty or not From Sharp UK......
Any other model, (Such as mine!) VL-Z1U they will not work on, Will not entertain the warranty (Unless you take it back to the country of origin! mine = USA)
There is a place where service can be obtained in Telford - However, Cost is probably more than Camera's value!
Hence the reason many are for sale on Ebay with this fault, and go for less than £20-They are virtually unusable!

Troy, March 2008