FAIL : Waterproof DVR - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 08:33:24 pm
content: Here it is, picture of PCB after first dunking in less than 2 foot of water.Salt deposits around the RAM and power on circuitry due to non existent seal on the battery door.No not a manufacturing fault, I checked 3 other identical cameras and none have a seal on the hinge. The neoprene seal sits on the battery compartment but there is a 1mm gap at the hinge.This camera is supposed to be waterproof to 10 feet.More pictures to follow if anyone is interested

author: Jon86
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 08:58:42 pm
content: Ah, I think I've found your problem, 'Vivitar'.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 09:00:08 pm
content: "The DVR 850W is waterproof up to 5 meters.""Your camcorder can be used up to 3 meters underwater.""This camcorder can be used underwater to 10 feet"Looks like they are not too sure themself..."when there is the Phenomenon of water leaking into the camcorder, the camcorder working properly, this is normal."What?"Do not try to open the case of the video camcorder or attempt to modify this video camcorder in any way. Maintenance and repairs should be carried out only by authorized service providers."I see, it's your own fault!"After capturing images underwater it is perfectly normal that some water may enter the camcorder. This will not damage the camcorder or the images captured."You see, it's perfectly normal...

author: Jon86
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 09:25:08 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on May 01, 2013, 09:00:08 pmThis is unbelievable

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 09:31:42 pm
content: To be fair, the image is rotated 90 degrees, there was only around 1cm of water in the case. The components with the salt deposits around them were at the bottom of the case. The camera was in the water for less than two minutes.When I took it back out of the water it had switched itself off.The SDcard survived, however that was a non Vivitar partI'm sure that if I let it dry out it would have been OKEdit:Note that the board does not have any protective coating and relies solely on the seals

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 09:56:26 pm
content: I'd be interested in seeing pics of the hinge + surroundings, sounds like a rather fundamental flaw in it.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2013, 10:08:43 pm
content: Quote from: BillyD on May 01, 2013, 09:56:26 pmNo problems, I have another that hasn't seen water yet. I'll take some pictures of the hinge area.Another note, when I immersed the camera, it was a little worrying to see bubble rise to the surface of the water.The 2.4" LED monitor / viewfinder isn't too clever either. It has two little breather holes to let the water in and out. When I pressed the front of the screen after immersion, water oozed out between the bezel and the screen. I wiped it with a tissue and repeated several times.Eventually I decided it was fit for the bin, but I was going to strip it down and photograph it before I did that.You know, you usually only get one opportunity to film an event. There is absolutely no way I would trust another Vivitar product, I bought the camera to use whilst I was snorkeling, it cost around GBP25 per minute to use

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2013, 11:12:24 am
content: Interesting distribution of reviews...http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-DVR-850W-Underwater-Recorder-Camcorder/product-reviews/B001VIEJK2/Apparently some people have had success with it being waterproof.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2013, 11:48:20 am
content: Quote from: amyk on May 02, 2013, 11:12:24 amYes I've seen the reviews, could be a QC issue.The camera was faulty from new, see my posthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/vivitar-dvr850/msg106749/#msg106749last year.I haven't used the camera in water previously.I suspect I was sold a "returns" as new product and that the camera was incorrectly re-assembled by the service department.The corrosion around the capacitor C107 looks well established and looks excessive. I stripped the camera within 1 hour of immersion.Vivitar don't actually make the camera, it is re-branded the OEM is Jay Tech TDV-50B0Haven't checked the reviews, also can't be bothered because the optical quality and construction quality is so low, I would now class it as a disposable beach DVR.Edit:Seems like I'n not the only one to experience this, see herehttp://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-DVR-850W-Underwater-Recorder-Camcorder/product-reviews/B001VIEJK2/ref=cm_cr_dp_qt_hist_one?ie=UTF8&filterBy=addOneStar&showViewpoints=0