mini DV recording: blinking red light

June 8, 2006 1:30 PM

Is there any way to disable the red blinking light (card access indicator) when I am recording with my Canon Elura 100?

I'm not sure if it blinks when recording to tape, but I'm looking for a way (other than putting tape over it) to keep it off during all recording.

Thanks!

posted by foraneagle2 to technology (17 comments total)

Well, if it were me, I'd crack open the case and remove or replace the LED....
posted by fvox13 at 1:40 PM on June 8, 2006

How about some nice silver or black tape? It's reversable and it doesn't void any warranties.
posted by johnwilcox at 1:42 PM on June 8, 2006

... by which I meant reversible. Urk.
posted by johnwilcox at 1:47 PM on June 8, 2006

fvox13> I would consider it but the LED is useful during non-recording (it's also the charging/battery and data transfer indicator)
posted by foraneagle2 at 1:49 PM on June 8, 2006

A permanent fix would be to drill the LED.
posted by unixrat at 1:52 PM on June 8, 2006

Oops, just noticed your comment now.

So, yeah, tape is about your easiest option.
posted by unixrat at 1:53 PM on June 8, 2006

fashion a ring of sticky backed velcro and place it around the LED, then a solid circle of velcro can be used when needed to cover the LED.
posted by Gungho at 2:07 PM on June 8, 2006

My guess is that there is no "official" way to disable it. Many camera phones have non-disableable sounds that play when they take a picture - in both cases, it's to prevent surreptitious recording.

That or the camera designers never figured anyone would care, so they never designed a way to do it.

What's the problem with having the light blink?
posted by GuyZero at 2:10 PM on June 8, 2006

surreptitious recording
posted by foraneagle2 at 2:11 PM on June 8, 2006

electrical tape
posted by b1tr0t at 2:13 PM on June 8, 2006

Heh. Tape. Electrical. It should be easy enough to remove.
posted by GuyZero at 2:13 PM on June 8, 2006

surreptitious recording

That's what I figured, surprised how upfront you are about it. :) Can we expect foraneagle2's upskirt vids posted to Projects soon?
posted by knave at 2:28 PM on June 8, 2006

why not be upfront? i simply want to stay out of the way of what i'm recording. that's legal, knock on wood.
posted by foraneagle2 at 2:30 PM on June 8, 2006

More permanent but still fairly easy to remove would be a coat or two of black nail polish. Put on thick it'll chip off with a fingernail.
posted by Mitheral at 3:04 PM on June 8, 2006

Yo, everyone suggesting tape: he said OTHER THAN that.

Which is too bad, seeing as how it's such a very sensible solution.
posted by nakedcodemonkey at 5:01 PM on June 8, 2006

Use black gaffer's tape. I've done this a bunch while shooting to prevent people from 'knowing' the camera is on.

Gaffer's tape is a tape that doesn't leave reside when removed
posted by filmgeek at 8:36 PM on June 8, 2006

thanks all
posted by foraneagle2 at 12:17 PM on June 9, 2006