Is this the correct head cleaner?

[Lisa Bennett]

I have a jvc gy-hd100u that is giving head cleaning message. Please see attached pic and let me know if this is the correct head cleaning tape to use.

If not, please lead me in the right direction so i can get one.

Thanks in advance.

[Brian Dollemore]

Looks good. Any of the big 'Names' would do, I think. Follow the instructions if any; my Panasonic cleaner says run for just 10 seconds (in 'Record' mode). That's usually enough, but they say that the treatment may be repeated twice if necessary. If three runs doesn't clear the problem then it's service time. The cleaner tape is usually one-use - don't rewind it.

[Lisa Bennett]

Thank you Brian. Have not cleaned these heads and I saw this head cleaner listed online.

[Paul R Johnson]

I have always stood by the maxim that cleaning tapes are an emergency tool to have in the bag. They're not a replacement for regular cleaning. I have always used Colclene - it dissolves the crud and washes the shed material away, then evaporates. Head cleaners polish the surface, and are abrasive. They may claim they're not, but to work they need to remove a layer - hopefully the layer of oxide, and not the top surface of the heads. If the instructions say 20 seconds - then 15 seconds doesn;t do much, and 25 seconds can cost hundreds. Colclene is non-destructive BUT horribly expensive, although I have a tin that's three years old, I think - so maybe not as bad as it sounds at twenty quid!

[Lisa Bennett]

Thanks Paul for the tip.

I'm hoping the jvc cleaning tape will be a good one to keep in the bag and get the head cleaning message to clear off so I can complete the edit I have in the cue.

[Lisa Bennett]

One thought...


I have been using Sony tapes so does it matter if I use a jvc head cleaning tape in the jvc camera? Just wondering since I heard something about sticking with the same tape.

[Brian Dollemore]

Any of the big tape names - Sony, JVC, Panasonic...

[Lisa Bennett]

Okay thank you. Ordered a JVC cleaning tape yesterday.

[Noa Put]

Originally Posted by Brian Dollemore

Any of the big tape names - Sony, JVC, Panasonic...

I"m not so sure about that, back in the day when had a sony vx2100 and later a canon xh-a1 I read a warning about mixing tapes with dry or wet lubricants and that is was best never to change brands once you picked to prevent head clogs. I don't recall any specifics anymore but did a quick google search and ended up on photography-forums.com where a message in this regard was posted by Richard Crowley who I believe is also a member on this forum and below is a part of what he posted which you might take into consideration when choosing or changing to another brand:

There are only 2 Tape OEMs: Sony & Panasonic, TDK are TDK.
miniDV tapes are made by either by Sony, Panasonic and TDK.
Sony uses liquid lubricant
Panasonic uses dry lubricant
Panasonic makes tapes for: Fuji, Maxell, JVC, Canon
Sony makes for the rest.
TDK are on their own since they have their own ME
(Metal Evaporate) Facilities.
In other words, mixing these 3 brands will clog the heads.

[Lisa Bennett]

I thought the wet were the ones that come with the bottle of the solution.

So then do you mean if I have been using Sony mindv tapes I should only use a Sony head cleaner?

Thanks.

[Dave Baker]

Noa is correct. Dry lubricant and wet lubricant refers to the recording tape lubricant, not the cleaning tape. It stands to reason that whatever formula the cleaning tapes are, they will be different for each tape type and, therefore, the correct cleaner should be used for each type.

When tape was king, it was often said that we should only use the tape manufacturer's cleaning tape for cleaning or risk dire results. Noa has posted the reason why, even though I don't think it is very clear.

[Noa Put]

Originally Posted by Lisa Bennett

I have been using Sony tapes

I remember that the sony tapes I used in the past sometimes came with a sony cleaning tape that was enclosed in a 5pack, in such a case the cleaning cassette was free, I doubt however if you will be able to find such deals now. I always used a sony cleaning cassette with the sony mini dv tapes I used. Alltough I don't know if the cleaning tape itself makes any difference what brand you use (either prduces by panasonic or sony) I would stick with the same brand, so if you use sony mini dv tapes I'd use a sony cleaning cassette.

[Lisa Bennett]

The jvc cleaning tape is a dry tape. The sony I found is also a dry tape. I ordered jvc just because my camera is jvc. But as mentioned I have been recording onto sony's more than any other brand and wondering if I should have bought the sony. ugh....

[Jeff Pulera]

Lisa,

I would not worry about the head cleaner. While I agree from my own experience that mixing tape brands can be an issue, a head cleaner is a head cleaner. It should not have any lubricant on it, rather it is abrasive to remove junk. Period.

My head cleaning tapes have been Sony-brand for like 15 years, and I have NEVER even used Sony tape, was always Maxell or Panasonic tape the entire time.

Thanks

Jeff Pulera
Digital Vision

[Lisa Bennett]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you.

I agree about the head cleaner being abrasive. That is what I thought, also. Play it for maybe 5 seconds and should clear up the problem I think.

Thanks for your opinion about the brand not being important. I've wondered this since I have been using more Sony than any other brand, just because it has been easier to find them.