Hi all.

I just got my VX2000 and I'm asking for advice on how often to clean the heads and what is the best product to use.

Thanks a lot.

Use the cleaning tape that came with the camera or buy a new Sony cleaning tape.

Don't use for more than 5 seconds at a time every 50 hours of use or when the heads are dirty.

Don't mix tape brands. I recommend you use Sony tape which will NOT cause head problems. Others have good experience with other brands but once in a while, someone experiences problems with head clogs even thought they have not switched brands of tape. I've yet to hear of a Sony tape user complaining of clogged heads. That's not to say one cannot get dirt on a head from time-to-time regardless of tape brand.

Follow the directions printed with the cleaning tape. Some tapes are formulated to be less abrasive, but require longer playing times. I have both a Panasonic and Sony cleaning tape and both recommend longer than 5 seconds. Never exceed the times printed with the cleaning tape.

Thanks for the info. I only intend to use Sony tapes, as it seems to make sense to use the brand made by the manufacturer (somewhere there's a factory that makes ALL the tapes and just slpas different labels on them :-)).

I was curious about the head cleaning as my experience has been that tape machines get cleaned too often, so I wanted some real life experiences before I risked my camcorder. Thanks again, I appriecate it.

Here are some info links regarding miniDV tape:

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Since you are in Vancouver, you can find good deals on tape at London Drugs and Superstore. Just check their weekly advertising.

Thanks Frank.

The cleaning tape manufacturer recommends a 10 second pass with the tape. Less time may be less effective. Note that just running a regular tape in cue FF or RR for a while clears most transient head clogs.