Maintaining and Cleaning my xl-1 at DVinfo.net

Bryan Coleman · June 12th, 2003, 11:54 PM

I have been reading that you should stick to one type of tape or another. Unfortuently, I've been using Panasonics, TDK and Sony. Is there a procedure I can do to clean the heads of my xl? And do the heads need realligned like the heads on a DAT at certain intervols? Thanks in advance for any advice.............

Bryan Coleman

Ken Tanaka · June 13th, 2003, 12:49 AM

Get and use a miniDV cleaning tape. If you use your camera reasonably heavily and/or professionally it's a good idea to send it to Canon service for a routine cleaning and calibration each year.

Don Palomaki · June 13th, 2003, 04:22 AM

Maintenance procedures (including head cleaning) are on pages 66-67 of the (NTSC) manual. Sony- and other-brand dry MiniDV cleaning tapes will work OK too.

Because the cleaning process causes aditional wear, Canon suggests do it only when indicated. A tape brand change after a steady diet of another brand is a good time. Frequent changes of tape brands might not require cleaning as often.

Nathan Gifford · June 13th, 2003, 02:36 PM

Now that you are sticking to one brand of tape that will help. Sending the camera in once a year for maintenance is also a good idea (it will at least keep the heads aligned).

If you haven't been using 4-track, you can also use any cheap miniDV as a playback deck for those other tapes.

June 12th, 2003, 11:54 PM	#1
Bryan Coleman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2002 Location: santa cruz CA Posts: 47	Maintaining and Cleaning my xl-1 I have been reading that you should stick to one type of tape or another. Unfortuently, I've been using Panasonics, TDK and Sony. Is there a procedure I can do to clean the heads of my xl? And do the heads need realligned like the heads on a DAT at certain intervols? Thanks in advance for any advice............. Bryan Coleman __________________ Bryan Coleman Santa Cruz CA

June 13th, 2003, 12:49 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Get and use a miniDV cleaning tape. If you use your camera reasonably heavily and/or professionally it's a good idea to send it to Canon service for a routine cleaning and calibration each year. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 13th, 2003, 04:22 AM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Maintenance procedures (including head cleaning) are on pages 66-67 of the (NTSC) manual. Sony- and other-brand dry MiniDV cleaning tapes will work OK too. Because the cleaning process causes aditional wear, Canon suggests do it only when indicated. A tape brand change after a steady diet of another brand is a good time. Frequent changes of tape brands might not require cleaning as often. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

June 13th, 2003, 02:36 PM	#4
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	Now that you are sticking to one brand of tape that will help. Sending the camera in once a year for maintenance is also a good idea (it will at least keep the heads aligned). If you haven't been using 4-track, you can also use any cheap miniDV as a playback deck for those other tapes. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here