I have a HD7U camera that takes several minutes to warm up before I can start recording video, or even see something in the view finder.

Once the unit has been on a while I can turn it off then back on and there is no delay - its just when the camera has been off for a while that I have this issue.

Is this normal? I have used other consumer cameras that are ready to record almost immediately after powering on.

No one? I've tried an email to JVC Tech Support as well but no response there either.

Have not had the time to make a call yet.

i don't think that is normal, mine is ready to go after about 5-10 seconds tops

Thanks for the input. I just wasnt sure as I had never used a hard drive camera before. Thought it might have something to do with getting the drives up to speed...

I guess I need to look at getting it serviced.

Just did a test using my iPhone as a stopwatch as follows:
Opened up the side screen
Turned on camera and started stopwatch
The "Enviro" portion kicked on and then the message "Select the desired mode" came up
Hit the "Select Play/Record" button and then the thumbnails for the video clips came on.

The whole process to this point was ~ 6 to 7 seconds.

Could it be that the hard drive needs to be defragged???

Or are there a lot of files on it that could slow it down?

Think I tried formatting the HD already. Will try again when I get home.

Just did a test using my iPhone as a stopwatch as follows:
Opened up the side screen
Turned on camera and started stopwatch
The "Enviro" portion kicked on and then the message "Select the desired mode" came up
Hit the "Select Play/Record" button and then the thumbnails for the video clips came on.

The whole process to this point was ~ 6 to 7 seconds.

Could it be that the hard drive needs to be defragged???

Or are there a lot of files on it that could slow it down?

I guess you should do clean up your hard disk, not formating, you can say defragmenter of you HDD, it will keep your files.

I always do that.

And when you see the message "Select the desired mode" u can use zoom out or in button, no need to go in "Select Play" mode, just hold for second zoom button, and that symbol will be disappear!