Can someone help me identify a possible solution to a problem I'm having with our Sharp camcorder? We just bought it 2 years ago, and have been having problems with a "blue-screen" every once in a while. It would go from a blue-screen to a scrambled image on the viewfinder... then it may go into a normal picture for a while. Now, unfortunately, we can't see any pictures through the view... it's always at a blue-screen. So whatever the problem is, it's gotten worse. Unfortunately, the nearest Sharp repair shop is about 2 hours from our house (most of the local repair places I called said they couldn't help because it's an older product/ or they don't have a manual to use)... HELP!!! We're having a baby and need to use it soon!!!

I am having the same problem with my Sharp MiniDv D-Viewcam. The head is not calibrated...Try using different brands of tapes. Sony DIGITAL VIDEO CASSETTE COLLOR COLLECTION MINIDV DVM60ME worked for me. If this does not fix the problem. Try playing a tape with video on it and then FastForward then Rewind the tape A LOT. Remember...when you record the video is put on the tape. So even if you dont fix it...you can still record and buy a better camera later to view it. I hope I helped a little. If you fix the problem a different way PLEASE tell me how. Thank you and good luck with you new baby.

Fresongamer and Tavakian5:
I have the Sharp WD-450U camcorder too. Mine is almost three years old. I've had mostly good luck with it but I have read about the extensive problems and I, too have experience the EJECT TAPE message from time to time. Usually this was when I just put a tape in, or pressed play or whatever. I never had it quit in the middle of recording but that is what happened this Christmas. I had it on a tripod and it was happily recording away (or so I thought) when my daughter bumped the Christmas tree and the tree fell over...this would have been great to have on tape, but alas just before that happened, in the middle of a tape, it quit recording and that Eject tape message was on. All was not lost because I did record most of the holiday festivities as I wanted to. However, soon after that, in my panick (can't be without a reliable camcorder!) I went out and bought a Canon Optura 40 which is quite a step up in terms of video quality, etc. My son asked if I would give him the Sharp. Well the answer is no; maybe I can't really rely on this camcorder but it has some really neat features that you can't find on the more expensive camcorders, like the zoom mic and the pic in pic, and the black and white recording in total darkness, not to mention the 26x zoom. Too bad it has to have such a messed up tape mechanism! I am going to try the Sony DMVME60 tape that you mentioned, Fresnogamer. Be sure to have a headcleaning tape. I think dirty heads seem to cause part of this problem.