It is that time of year again when Minnesota weather starts affecting equipment. Special care must be taken in transporting and using MTN equipment. Cold equipment should not be powered up until it has reached room temperature, usually one half an hour is enough, longer if it is extremely cold. The purpose is to give moisture, which condenses on the cold equipment when brought into a warm area, a chance to dry off. Most VCR's have a dew sensor which inhibits the operation of the equipment until it is dry. This condition usually appears as an auto off condition with either a warning light or a "dew" indication in the operation display. Also your tape should also be kept warm before using. Cold itself will not damage the tape or equipment but does ser iously affect its operational characteristics if used in this condition. Battery operation is also affected by cold. Although the battery life is extended by cold storage, its output capacity may be reduced to as much as half what it was at room temper ature. Whenever possible transport the equipment in a warm car. This will also speed up your check in at MTN as the checkout person will not check in any cold equipment until it has warmed up. Also, when shooting outside in the cold, have your equipment warm j ust prior to using.
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