k-x crash while using video

Has anyone else had this problem? The camera appeared to crash when the shutter button was pressed, the screen showed vertical lines and the on/off switch refused to work -- ie: I couldn't turn the camera off. Eventually took the batteries out and they were hot. (They were new in, duracell alkalines, with the battery setting at auto.)

Since then the on/off switch also failed to work again - though it was ok when I switched it to on then off again - it turned off the second time.

Love using my new camera, but this is worrying. Back to the shop?

Not yet. First, try using NiMH or Lithium batteries. Duracell alkalines are not really the battery of choice and this may be the source of the problem.

Don't rely on Auto - try setting the battery to "AL" Alkaline. It only takes one flaky battery for the auto-detector to fail - I remember the shop going through about 10 sets of Kodak (?) batteries to get my Kx working, but since I put Sanyo Eneloops in, I've not had a single problem. Really can't recommend them enough, and will quickly pay for themselves. (look on Amazon etc for deals, they aren't expensive).

What firmware does your K-x have in it, Rob? To check the version number, turn your camera on while holding down the MENU button.
The version number will appear in the center of the LCD screen.

The original v1.00 firmware has issues with battery metering and gives false readings. It may even contribute to early shutdown, before a battery is truly depleted.

The new v1.01 firmware apparently addresses this, and is available on the Pentax site here:

http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/digital/k-x_s.html

I updated my firmware the day I bought my camera, so I've never experienced the old regime - but even now, I'm still conscious that some batteries seem to work better than others, and that the battery meter can under-read (I recently spent an entire day running on 'red mode' and the camera didn't flake out at all!). I've also never used the video recording mode yet, either.

However, it's recommended to update the firmware, all the same.

To cover my own backside (in case you brick your K-x), please note:

If you do decide to update the firmware, it is ESSENTIAL that you have a set of FULL batteries in the camera to begin with, proven by a green meter indicator. And make sure you download the correct firmware (Mac or Windows/PC). You'll also need a blank SD card for a couple of minutes.

It's possible that with the new firmware, your video crash problem might disappear, if it IS battery meter-related. If not, it won't matter; you won't have invalidated any warranty if you completed the update steps correctly, and should still be able to take it back to the shop.

Good luck, and please keep us updated on how you get on.