HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold

Kusum Kangguru · 24th January 2007

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a HDD videocam for my travels.

As I like to trek in mountainous region (Nepal, Pakistan, ...), I wonder if a HDD videocam can function in the high altitude (max 5000+ m) and cold.

What about miniDV and DVD videocam?

Thanks.

tommon · 24th January 2007

I think the batts are what you should be concerned about. Move HDD still works. Keep the cam and batts inside near your body when not in use.

lwm · 24th January 2007

I had some problem with my old Sony miniDV cam in Nepal. It was around 4000m, and I don't think it was too cold (autumn). But some video turned out to have lines across.

ness96 · 25th January 2007

I brought my Canon 20D & Sony HDV HVR-A1 to Lake Tahoe, USA, up the skidding mountains (Temp: -6C; attitute: not sure) and Grand Canyon (Temp: -10C) last Dec.

Came back with beautiful still & video shots of my family holiday trip.

Just make sure you have your battery fully charged.

Kusum Kangguru · 25th January 2007

I was worried because I heard that hard disk cannot function if the air pressure is too low. The reading/writing head requires a cushion of air to work. So I heard

engr · 28th January 2007

just took my HC1 up to 3200m in Jade Snow mountain in China last week. Functioned well. It was -2 Deg but no snow. So I guess thaz not enuf to prove anything. Some Digi cam had battery problems.

tommon · 30th January 2007

If you using those dedicated HD for videos it should be ok as it is sealed; like the Sony 60Gb or Firestore not sure about the others. So check your manual or manufacturer.

Kusum Kangguru · 1st February 2007

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

Tommon, are the hard disks in normal Sony HDD camcorders sealed?

What's firestore?

Cheers.

24th January 2007	#1
Kusum Kangguru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 57	HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold Hi, I am thinking of getting a HDD videocam for my travels. As I like to trek in mountainous region (Nepal, Pakistan, ...), I wonder if a HDD videocam can function in the high altitude (max 5000+ m) and cold. What about miniDV and DVD videocam? Thanks.

24th January 2007	#2
tommon Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Currently, Singapore but hope Posts: 729	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold I think the batts are what you should be concerned about. Move HDD still works. Keep the cam and batts inside near your body when not in use.

24th January 2007	#3
lwm Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 135	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold I had some problem with my old Sony miniDV cam in Nepal. It was around 4000m, and I don't think it was too cold (autumn). But some video turned out to have lines across.

25th January 2007	#4
ness96 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 106	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold I brought my Canon 20D & Sony HDV HVR-A1 to Lake Tahoe, USA, up the skidding mountains (Temp: -6C; attitute: not sure) and Grand Canyon (Temp: -10C) last Dec. Came back with beautiful still & video shots of my family holiday trip. Just make sure you have your battery fully charged.

25th January 2007	#5
Kusum Kangguru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 57	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold I was worried because I heard that hard disk cannot function if the air pressure is too low. The reading/writing head requires a cushion of air to work. So I heard

28th January 2007	#6
engr Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Posts: 801	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold just took my HC1 up to 3200m in Jade Snow mountain in China last week. Functioned well. It was -2 Deg but no snow. So I guess thaz not enuf to prove anything. Some Digi cam had battery problems.

30th January 2007	#7
tommon Deregistered Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Currently, Singapore but hope Posts: 729	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold If you using those dedicated HD for videos it should be ok as it is sealed; like the Sony 60Gb or Firestore not sure about the others. So check your manual or manufacturer.

1st February 2007	#8
Kusum Kangguru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 57	Re: HDD Videocam in High Altitude and Cold Hi, Thanks for the replies. Tommon, are the hard disks in normal Sony HDD camcorders sealed? What's firestore? Cheers.