Hello.
i have a new camera and i'm determined to only use the tapes that they recommend, but i also have a mini-dv playback device with the screen built in etc.

that has had hundreds of different tapes in it...

would cleaning the heads really well be enough to use the tapes in it that come out of the new camera, and possibly put them back in the new camera without bringing along whatever lubricant got into the portable deck from all those other tapes?

matthew

Those mini-DV tape cleaners are kind of like sandpaper. They take off a little bit of your tape heads when they clean. One cleaning is equivalent to about 8 hours of normal use. You should only use cleaning tapes in:
A- emergenies
B- every 50 hours or so (read the instructions on the cleaning tape, I'm not so sure about this)
C- maybe when switching brands of tapes with different lubricants

Make sure you read the instructions on the cleaning tape. It should all the information you need on how and when to use it.

ok, so i'm still not sure of the best way to "fix" my sony gv-800 deck, if i use some q-tips meant for doing head cleaning and some fluid and carefully clean anything that touches the tape would that be good enough??

i am committed enough to switch to just the tape that is recommended for my new camera (dvx-100a) and i have bought case of those tapes from the evs people...

i just need to get my portable dv deck to a "fresh start" point.

matthew

that has had hundreds of different tapes in it.Could be that the unit needs servicing. Never know.

huh?

there is nothing "wrong" with the unit, it plays/records fine, i have just read so much on here about how mixing tapes is bad so i have decided with my new camera to only use the ones that the manufacturer recommends...

the only issue is how to properly clean my sony mini-dv portable deck so i don't have to worry about the lubricants? cross-contaminating the new tapes.

strictly preventative.

matthew

Sorry, I assumed the unit was having problems. If you've had no problems, then don't worry about it, yet.

If you keep cleaning everything, it's like what Glenn mentioned: "Those mini-DV tape cleaners are kind of like sandpaper. They take off a little bit of your tape heads when they clean."

all i am looking for is a one time way to clean the portable dv deck so that i can swap the new tapes around.

so i'll try a head cleaner (interestingly enough the dvx-100a doesn't come with a cleaner) and i'll probably use some swabs to make sure.

matthew