Comments

Grazie wrote on 2/22/2006, 2:44 AM
"Need to clean the tape heads on one of my cams . . "

Says who? You have a symptom that suggests this? I done 100s of hours. No pixies or gnomes or anything. I haven't used a head cleaner for at least 3 years? No problem here. I'm just wondering what has sparked your sudden attention to towards this?

" - and I'm wondering if I need to get a cleaner from the same brand as I use of tapes, or if I can use any tape head cleaner for miniDV. "

Well, I couldn't get a Canon head cleaner so I am using a Sony head cleaner. PLUS, and as far as I'm aware, I haven't come across "Canon" tapes, this hasn't been a problem.

BUT, the biggest issue as far as I know from reading around AND my Canon XM2 manual it expressly states that I shouldn't use a "wet" cleaner.

So for me a cleaner that IS the same as the tapes I use - more luck than judgment there on my part AND it is a DRY cleaner.

Grazie
farss wrote on 2/22/2006, 3:51 AM
I've never seen a wet cleaner for MiniDV tapes, have seen them for VHS (I think?) and audio cassettes. I think that maybe only Sony make them, I have a vague memory of a Panasonic head cleaning tape lying around but might have been a DVCPro50 sized one.

But I'm certain brand doesn't matter and you should have one in your kit at all times. Only use it when needed, i.e. you get warning messages from the camera / VCR or you get more dropouts than usual. Run it for only 5 seconds, they are abrasive, you want to clean the gunge off the heads not the heads off the drum.


Bob.
Grazie wrote on 2/22/2006, 4:36 AM
'ere yah goes Bob! - "Do not use a wet type cleaning cassette, as this can cause damage" - p. 139 Canon XM2 PAL Users manual. Guess they - Canon - might think they do exsist, and as such, I didn't want David using that which he shouldn't be.

Oh yeah, my manual also says I should be using a cleaner every 20 hours! Nope! Not for me . .

Grazie
richard-courtney wrote on 2/22/2006, 6:02 AM
The only time I used a cleaner was when I switched brands of tapes.
Each tape has a lubricant to protect the heads. Some recommend if you
change grades "quality" of tape (professional / master grade) clean the
heads. I would stay with a grade and manufacturer.

I would send the cameras to a qualified repair center as needed as they will
replace guides and other parts that wear. Make sure they are an approved center
don't go by the internet cheapest rates.
Bob Greaves wrote on 2/22/2006, 7:35 AM
The wet stuff in head cleaners is isopropyl alcohol. It comes in a variety of diluted strengths. You want to read the percentage on the package as much of it is diluted with distilled water. You want little to no water.

The warning about damage is because the alcohol can cause certain rubber and plastic parts to become brittle and crack. The water when too strong can cause corrosion on the metal parts. It is a catch 22 for the do-it-your-selfer.

I have been working around recording studio equipment since the late 60s. I have always made it a habit to clean heads very carefully with a Q-tip and isolating the fluids to the actual heads and metal rollers - never on the rubber or plastic. Clean it up when finished with a hair dryer so that the alcohol is completely evaporated before re-engaging any mechanisms in motion. Some head materials made today require light rubbing by a soft cloth and no chemicals. The manufacturer will not always disclose what dangers exist, they may prefer that you simply not mess with it ever except using the products they supply.
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 2/22/2006, 9:56 AM
because The cam that I'm needing to clean (more of a personal one that I use for reviewing and capping tapes that I'm not going to put in my pro cam anymore - got something goin on withit, maybe mixed lubes??? - anyway - got that wonderfull striping and so on goin on.

Dave
farss wrote on 2/22/2006, 12:24 PM
Amazing effect isn't. Try recording over an already recorded tape with one head badly clogged, just how do you get that FX in Vegas?

Seen that problem a few times, just a big bit of tape 'emulsion' stuck to one head, 5 seconds with a head cleaner should get rid of it.

Bob.