Head Cleaner Question

Jay Gladwell · July 11th, 2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan Jones

XL2 manual - page 110:

"To maintain the best picture quality, we recommend cleaning the video heads frequently with the Canon DVM-CL Digital Video Head Cleaning Cassette or a commercially available dry cleaning cassette"

"Do not use wet type cleaning cassettes as this may damage the camcorder."

I'm pretty sure that is the appropriate information for the issue in question.

-Jon

Jon, "cleaning frequently" is relative. Why clean the heads if they don't need it?

The "wet type cleaning" that's referring to is cleaning systems that use "liquid from a bottle--a solvent" as part of the cleaning process. I've seen these and would never suggest such a system for a video camera. The Sony, JVC, and Panasonic cleaning tapes are "dry" because no fluids are used in the process.

Jay

Patrick King · July 11th, 2005, 04:46 PM

Jay,

You are, in fact, the MAN.

Or at least someone I can blame if the JVC Cleaning Tape gunks up my XL2. ; )

Jonathan Jones · July 11th, 2005, 07:14 PM

Thanks Jay,
I was actually just quoting from the manual - as an earlier post asked where it was stated thusly in the manual. Sorry you didn't catch that.

I agree that 'frequently' is certainly a relative term - It is unfortuanate that the manual and other Canon resources don't tend to elaborate on such details.

As far actual relative need of cleansing, there are numeous posts and threads throughout the forum that offer more insightful information.
-Jon

Lucinda Luvaas · July 13th, 2005, 12:45 AM

Do you hit play or record when you use the cleaning tape?

Jay Gladwell · July 13th, 2005, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucinda Luvaas

Do you hit play or record when you use the cleaning tape?

You hit "Record" to clean the recording heads.

Jay

Lauri Kettunen · July 13th, 2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Gladwell

You hit "Record" to clean the recording heads.

Jay

What? The Canon cleaning tape instructions says clearly: "Press the PLAY button ..."

The record button magnetizes (i.e., records on) the tape, and can't see any reason how that would improve the cleaning effect.

I've told this before, but a friend of mine borrowed (back in 1998) my XL1 and recorded the whole cleaning tape at once for he thought it was an ordinary tape. I was bit nervous whether the video heads were damaged, but the camcorder is still working just fine although the nominal 1500 hours of the heads have already been exceeded some time ago. (The Canon maintenance told once that the video heads last about 1500 hours.)

Lucinda Luvaas · July 13th, 2005, 12:56 PM

Thanks Lauri! we need to feel we're getting the right info here. I thought it was the Play button..... thanks for jogging my memory.

Lucinda

Jay Gladwell · July 13th, 2005, 01:26 PM

I stand corrected!

Jay

Stephanie Wilson · July 16th, 2005, 11:16 PM

I had no idea that there was a dry and wet head cleaner tape option available. Good info. I will check the Panasonic web site for my DVX-100A or make a call to them.

I encourage all of us to use these resources. We "paid" for them when we bought their equipment. Yes?

Many happy shoots,

Stephanie

July 11th, 2005, 04:46 PM	#17
Patrick King Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 857	Jay, You are, in fact, the MAN. Or at least someone I can blame if the JVC Cleaning Tape gunks up my XL2. ; ) __________________ Fear No Weevil!

July 11th, 2005, 07:14 PM	#18
Jonathan Jones Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Healdsburg, California Posts: 1,138	Thanks Jay, I was actually just quoting from the manual - as an earlier post asked where it was stated thusly in the manual. Sorry you didn't catch that. I agree that 'frequently' is certainly a relative term - It is unfortuanate that the manual and other Canon resources don't tend to elaborate on such details. As far actual relative need of cleansing, there are numeous posts and threads throughout the forum that offer more insightful information. -Jon

July 13th, 2005, 12:45 AM	#19
Lucinda Luvaas Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 233	Do you hit play or record when you use the cleaning tape?

July 13th, 2005, 12:56 PM	#22
Lucinda Luvaas Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 233	Thanks Lauri! we need to feel we're getting the right info here. I thought it was the Play button..... thanks for jogging my memory. Lucinda

July 13th, 2005, 01:26 PM	#23
Jay Gladwell Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,244	I stand corrected! Jay

July 16th, 2005, 11:16 PM	#24
Stephanie Wilson Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks CA Posts: 255	I had no idea that there was a dry and wet head cleaner tape option available. Good info. I will check the Panasonic web site for my DVX-100A or make a call to them. I encourage all of us to use these resources. We "paid" for them when we bought their equipment. Yes? Many happy shoots, Stephanie