I understand conventional wisdom is to stick with one miniDV tape type.
I've been happy with Maxell (haven't had any problems; least expensive at Sam's Club). I have a job requiring me to use my V1U for computer-capture of another type of tape (I have not purchased a deck yet). What type of maintenance should I follow up with? How important is it? Any specifics would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

I've had bad luck going from one tape to another without using a head cleaner, so run a tape head cleaner (Sony is best) before putting in new tapes. Once you're done and ready to go back to your original tapes, simply run the tape head cleaner again.

heath

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/105030-REG/Sony_DVM12CLD_DVM_12CLD_Cleaning_Cassette.html

Something like this? Or something more advanced?

How often would you recommend cleaning your heads with something like this, and how many times can a tape like this be used?

Be careful NOT to run the head cleaner longer than suggested in the instructions. Since on capture you can see if there is a problem, you might want to run the head cleaner once only AFTER you've done the capture with the "foreign" tapes. Since head cleaners are abrasive, the common wisdom is one should only run them when one has to, for example, in the event of image problems on playback and/or recording.

I've mixed an matched all sorts of tapes capturing HDV and DV with my HVR-A1U camera, but I often run a recording and playback test after capturing other people's tapes. I've been using the Sony Digital Master tapes exclusively for recording, and I suspect that's one reason why after a year and a half I've yet to need to run the head cleaner. But any day now, I'm sure.