Dirty head or something more serious?

JoelO wrote on 1/10/2008, 8:21 PM
Hi guys, a newbie here. I have a Canon Optura 60 that has a weird problem. On VCR mode, I'm seeing big gray/pink horizontal lines alternating with the video. There were about 5-7 lines in total. This happened when I put in a used tape of different brand that I want to capture. After I put it in and played it, I noticed those lines right away, so I turned it off immediately. I just remembered that the used tape is a PAL format. So I took it out and put one of my old tape and played it, but the lines are still there and I can't seem to get rid of it. Do you think this is a dirty head or something more serious? Thanks!

Comments

UlfLaursen wrote on 1/10/2008, 9:46 PM
Hi

Have you tried to record something new on a fresh tape and played this back?
You could try with a cleaningtape too.

/Ulf
JoelO wrote on 1/11/2008, 5:00 PM
I tried to record it new stuff on a new tape and after that it seems to fix everything. So I guess the chemicals on the tape really do makes the difference! Thanks for the suggestion.
4eyes wrote on 1/11/2008, 8:56 PM
So I guess the chemicals on the tape really do makes the difference

I was mixing tapes on my Canon Optura 60, started having similar problems and eventually the camcorder displayed "Clean Tape Head" on the lcd display. Cleaned the heads, started using only one brand of tape & haven't had a problem since.
TGS wrote on 1/11/2008, 10:02 PM
So........ They've figured a way to make you use one brand of tape, eh.

Why do I smell B.S.?

I'm too embarrassed to admit how many times I've cleaned my oldest Sony Dig 8 camera, now almost 7 1/2 years old. I've used every major brand of tape and I've never seen it display the 'Clean Tape Head' message or give me any problems whether it's TDK, Maxell, Sony or Fugi tapes.
UlfLaursen wrote on 1/11/2008, 10:26 PM
I have seen this issue discussed many times over the years on several boards like this, and my understanding is that some people get into trouble mixing and some don't.
I have personally mostly used Sony tapes, and have never had problems and I might even had stayed out of trouble mixing a lot, but I'll never know.
Nowadays I calculate the tapeprice into my offer to paying clients, and that way I get my money back on good tape.

/Ulf