Necessary to use a VCR Head Cleaner? at DVinfo.net

David Ho · January 29th, 2005, 03:57 AM

I currently own a 7-year old VCR (Panasonic PV-8664) which has been used many times. I was wondering should I use a VCR Head Cleaner since it has been used so many times to perhaps clean the insides of the VCR so that I might get a slightly better video signal? If so, what is the best brand/type of VCR Head Cleaner you would recommend me? Btw, this isn't as so much related to DV/camcorders because I couldn't find a VCR/VHS forum anywhere else. Thanks.

Rob Lohman · January 30th, 2005, 07:22 AM

Well it won't clean the complete inside or anything, it will just
(try to) clean the VCR's heads. Personally I would rather invest
in a good SVHS VCR if analog is important because that will
probably increase your quality (even for plain VHS instead of
S-Video/SVHS) more. But yes, it might be wise to clean your
system. I have no idea on what would be good cleaning tapes.
Instructions on usage and the interval you should use it should
be included with the cleaning tape.

Dennis Vogel · January 31st, 2005, 09:56 PM

Although the length of time you've had the cam and the "many" times it has been used suggest a cleaning is in order I would ask if you see anything "bad" on your video? If not and if your cam hasn't flashed a warning that it needs cleaning (if it has that feature) I would say leave it alone.

Cleaning heads is an abrasive operation that puts some additional wear and tear on the video heads. There's no reason to do that unless you see something amiss or the cam tells you to do it.

Good luck.

Dennis

David Ho · February 6th, 2005, 05:17 AM

Oh, this has nothing to do with the cams. I was just wondering if it was recommended to use it on just a VCR I have that is very, very old.

Dennis Vogel · February 7th, 2005, 11:04 PM

Sorry, I missed that. Same thing applies to VCRs.

Good luck.

Dennis

January 29th, 2005, 03:57 AM	#1
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	Necessary to use a VCR Head Cleaner? I currently own a 7-year old VCR (Panasonic PV-8664) which has been used many times. I was wondering should I use a VCR Head Cleaner since it has been used so many times to perhaps clean the insides of the VCR so that I might get a slightly better video signal? If so, what is the best brand/type of VCR Head Cleaner you would recommend me? Btw, this isn't as so much related to DV/camcorders because I couldn't find a VCR/VHS forum anywhere else. Thanks. __________________ "Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

January 30th, 2005, 07:22 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Well it won't clean the complete inside or anything, it will just (try to) clean the VCR's heads. Personally I would rather invest in a good SVHS VCR if analog is important because that will probably increase your quality (even for plain VHS instead of S-Video/SVHS) more. But yes, it might be wise to clean your system. I have no idea on what would be good cleaning tapes. Instructions on usage and the interval you should use it should be included with the cleaning tape. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 6th, 2005, 05:17 AM	#4
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	Oh, this has nothing to do with the cams. I was just wondering if it was recommended to use it on just a VCR I have that is very, very old. __________________ "Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

January 31st, 2005, 09:56 PM	#3
Dennis Vogel Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 409	Although the length of time you've had the cam and the "many" times it has been used suggest a cleaning is in order I would ask if you see anything "bad" on your video? If not and if your cam hasn't flashed a warning that it needs cleaning (if it has that feature) I would say leave it alone. Cleaning heads is an abrasive operation that puts some additional wear and tear on the video heads. There's no reason to do that unless you see something amiss or the cam tells you to do it. Good luck. Dennis

February 7th, 2005, 11:04 PM	#5
Dennis Vogel Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hillsborough, NC Posts: 409	Sorry, I missed that. Same thing applies to VCRs. Good luck. Dennis