Customer Reviews
Condensation lock 
2008-02-17
Had the same problem after approximately four years with the camcorder locking up in a pause mode with "condensation, operation paused" flashing on the screen. It eventually came out of it but then it happened again and again. I tried to clean the sensor in the tape bay but this did not correct the problem. I think I'l just dump the damn thing and never buy from JVC again. It looks from all I read on the net that they don't even suggest a solution.
Too bad for a brand like this
Condensation Solution Works! 
2006-11-06
I've had this camera for 3 years, it's been pretty lightly used. No problems whatsoever until today, when I got the dreaded "condensation error" message. After reading the doom and gloom in other reviews of this product, I was ready to throw it (and the $300 I paid for it) in the trash, until I saw the "fix" below for the condensation problem. IT WORKS! I had to do it a couple of times, but everything is working A-OK. If you get the error message, don't despair - just get out a couple of Q-Tips and you'll be back in business in 5 minutes! THANKS!!!!
Don't buy this camcorder!!!!! Sensor problems!!!! 2006-10-31
There's nothing worse that getting a seemingly random computer message--on a desktop, a laptop, a digital camcorder or a tv--and quickly realizing that your Father's Day gift or Christmas present has instantly become a paper weight. Well, I take that back, there is something worse: doing a quick Google search on the words "condensation operation paused" and realizing that there are scores and scores of people out there who are cursing under their breath just like you.
I have the JVC camcorder--it was a gift from my wife on the birth of my daughter. It worked fine for a year. Then one day I got the dreaded condensation message and that's all she wrote. And believe me, I live in a house so dry and devoid of condensation that I know the message is bogus. (We have forced air heat and anyone will tell you that some nights you wake up gasping for air and moisture!)
Seeing how many people have posted messages regarding this is depressing. What's more depressing though is the universal response from JVC: this is not a known problem and there's no recall or warranty. perhaps the folks at JVC might want to Google their own products once in a while.
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA!!!
Matt
Another "Condensation" Loser 2006-10-27
My Model GR-D30U also has the "Condensation, Operation Paused" problem with less than about 50-75 hours of use. What a Lemon!
I should have checked more closely before buying. Consumer Reports shows that JVC camcorders have a poor reliability rating.
JVC Does Not Stand Behind Their Products - JVC Lemoncorder 2006-05-13
I agree with the many other users who have experienced the "Condensation, Operation Paused" defect on their JVC GR-90DU. Despite numerous others reporting this problem, JVC says its not a recognized problem. I would disagree - it is a recognized problem, but its your problem, not theirs.
If you are like me and didnt know to research JVC customer support before you bought, and now are stuck with a JVC Lemoncorder model GR-D90U that has this problem, I would encourage you to call the JVC customer support (non-support) phone number 1-800-858-6442 and report your glee at being one of the lucky. I would also encourage you to post your satisfaction on-line.
Its especially nice that the local camera repair shop charged 90 dollars to take a shot at fixing it, only to have it go away after the repair shop's warranty period.
Do Not Buy JVC camcorders!
Condensation Error Again 2006-04-24
This newly styled JVC camcorder is designed for those who are searching for a fun and slimline camcorder while maintaining a full feature package within. The GR-DV30US boasts a 680, 000-Pixel CCD Super High Band Processor for 520 lines of horizontal resolution. The maximum user friendliness is achieved with Power-Linked Operation (always ready to record), Night Alive (for low-light recording), High Resolution 2.5" Amorphous Silicon LCD Color Monitor, 700X Super Digital Zoom with Spline Interpolation, Digital Picture Stabilizer and Long Time Recording Capability.
JVC GR-D30U Has Problems 2006-04-16
Our family bought the JVC GR-D30U a couple of years ago and have used it infrequently, but lately it's been unreliable. It worked fine for awhile and the main problem was that it's wide-angle capability is poor.
About four months ago, we had to send it in because it kept saying "Lens Cap" even when the cap was off and it did not allow the camcorder to function. Apparently, JVC already had a number of complaints and had set up a free fix.
Now, though we've just encountered a new error message about "CONDENSATION. OPERATION PAUSED" and the net result is that I cannot operate any function of the camcorder.
Unfortunately, for myself, other JVC customers, and JVC itself, I can see that this problem is somewhat widespread. While I waited on the phone for the JVC customer service representative, I typed in "JVC digital camcorder condensation" into Google and found numerous listing for this problem with various JVC digital camcorders.
To my mind then, I am not the unfortunate owner of a lone, glitchy camcorder, buy the owner of a JVC camcorder that many people are having the same problem with. Therefore, it is a problem that JVC should fix free of charge to owners of these camcorders, as it did with its "Lens Cap"/"CCD Program". In fact, my lemon(?) of a camcorder had that problem and JVC did a prompt job of righting that. I got it back a couple of months ago, and now this.
However, when I spoke to JVC a few minutes ago, they told me it wasn't a "recognized problem" and I would simply have to send them the camcorder and a $50 money order for an "evaluation". Outrageous!
I hope to hear from JVC with a free and quick solution. My son's graduation is coming up in 6 weeks and this is exactly the kind of event my family bought the camcorder for.
In the meantime, I will add my my review to Amazon.com and a few other websites to vent my frustration at JVC's non-recognition of this latest manufacturing problem in the only way a lowly consumer can.
CALL this number to have camera repaired!!!! 2006-04-05
Found this on JVC's website under CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION...this model is one of the reported ones, hope this helps everyone with this problem...
JVC has received reports that in certain circumstances, a small quantity of units of the models listed below, may, while in the camera mode, show no picture, a distorted picture and/or display "LENS CAP" even though the lens cap is removed. We have identified the cause as a failure of the CCD image sensor. Until October 1, 2007, repairs of units exhibiting these problems will be made free of charge at JVC Factory Service Centers. Click thisFactory Service Center link to find your nearest location. Please call (800) 858-6442 if you need any assistance in obtaining a free repair. We apologize for any inconvenience and are appreciative of your understanding and support.
DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM...I BEG YOU 2006-03-31
I have heard of a few people who actual got this product to work and liked it. I can't comment on whether it works well. I can only tell you that most of them don't work at all. Some times on Amazon I read a bad review and think...it won't happen to me. Trust me...give the money to charity...throw it out a window...anything but purchase this item. And when it doesn't work, don't even bother calling jvc.
I have never written a review on Amazon, but now I can sleep better at night knowing that anyone who buys one of these cameras gets what they deserve.
Hope this helps.
It's a Piece of Garbage 2006-03-24
I wish we had read all the reviews before we purchased our JVC piece of junk. After a few short hours we too got an error message about condensation. There is no condensation problem. The problem is that JVC made a defective product and could care less.
