Just like in the summer when the heat can affect cameras, so can the cold. Cameras should not be left outdoors or in your car at all this time of year. The DSR 250 should not be used or stored below freezing or above 100 degrees, according to the Sony Manual. Similar recommendations are made for the PD 170 as well as the decks.
Cameras aren't the only gear having issues in the cold weather, tripods also suffer from fragility. When metal and plastic get cold they are more likely to snap. We had a tripod come in last week that had a piece of metal snap off the tripod. We believe it was due to being stored in the cold then brought into a building to shoot and when the quick release plate knob was used it just sheared off the metal piece.
Please be aware of safe operating and storage procedure for the gear. For safety purposes you should never leave the camera in the car, but for mechanical reasons you should also never leave the camera or tripods in a car in the winter or summer months. If the gear is damaged due to mishandling, you will be held financially responsible.
When you are traveling with the gear make sure to have it in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, not the trunk. Even a half hour trip with the camera in the trunk in the weather can have disastrous affects.
