VX2000 Maintenance Schedule at DVinfo.net

Darrell Sullivan · August 14th, 2003, 07:13 AM

Is there a recommended maintenance schedule for the VX2000?

How often to run a cleaner cassette through it. How often to take it to a service facility to have the heads cleaned. Any kind of regular tune-up that needs to be done?

I'd like to have some idea of what preventive maintenance to put them through to kep them working correctly. I saw one post that said not to do anything until they show a problem, but that could be in the middle of a wedding ceremony or something so I'm not real big on that idea.

Mike Rehmus · August 14th, 2003, 10:34 AM

Many pro's send their cameras in every year for a cleaning, lube job and alignment check.

Don't clean heads more frequently that 40-50 hours. Then only run the cleaning tape for 5 seconds. Otherwise, use it only if you see a problem.

Keep the exterior dusted off. If you 'blow' the exterior off, don't get too close or use too much pressure. You can blow the dust into the camera through cracks between the case and the switches, etc. Far better to get a soft paint brush and brush the exterior.

I assume you know how to clean optics, right?

Kevin Nardelle · August 14th, 2003, 06:10 PM

I used to repair cameras and pro 3/4 inch decks and such. I agree with Mike - Do NOT blow the dirt into the camera, use a very soft paint brush to dust off the camera and all the cracks and such.

Cleaning tapes are abrasive and can and do damage heads, use one as a last resort. The heads on this camera are tiny and very fragile, use only sony tape and send it in for a checkup once a year. Avoid sticking ANYTHING in or near the door or heads, only let tape drop down into the tape transport and only a sony tape. I would not want to have to return my camera with a JVC tape stuck in the transport back to sony.

Blowing the exterior is really useless, the brush is most effective FIRST and in the end you can come over it with a light blast of canned air to remove the lose dirt still lingering. The brush will get everything up and off the surface. I use a kata bag on my camera where ever there might be sand blowing or dust, not just for rain, use it to protect the cam against other foreign intruders as well.

Scott Thomas · August 15th, 2003, 12:46 PM

I learned a trick in Mexico to combat dust. While video taping a mission trip in a dust bowl area I had major head problems. Almost missed filming the last two days. A cleaning tape did not help. Finally, fixed it by playing a tape all the way through.

However, the next year I followed a tip and never had a problem with dust. That tip was to tape up the cracks of the camera with scotch tape. I covered everything I could and took extra tape if I had to open the tape door to replace the tape.

Mike Rehmus · August 15th, 2003, 02:26 PM

Please, no, not Scotch tape!

The industry standard is 'paper tape.' for this purpose. Used because it leaves no residue and comes off easily, this tape can be purchased in widths from about 1/8" up to at least 2". In any color you choose.

You see this stuff on film cassettes to guard against light leaks.

I think Markertek carries it. Not too expensive and worth every penny.

August 14th, 2003, 07:13 AM	#1
Darrell Sullivan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 42	VX2000 Maintenance Schedule Is there a recommended maintenance schedule for the VX2000? How often to run a cleaner cassette through it. How often to take it to a service facility to have the heads cleaned. Any kind of regular tune-up that needs to be done? I'd like to have some idea of what preventive maintenance to put them through to kep them working correctly. I saw one post that said not to do anything until they show a problem, but that could be in the middle of a wedding ceremony or something so I'm not real big on that idea.

August 14th, 2003, 10:34 AM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Many pro's send their cameras in every year for a cleaning, lube job and alignment check. Don't clean heads more frequently that 40-50 hours. Then only run the cleaning tape for 5 seconds. Otherwise, use it only if you see a problem. Keep the exterior dusted off. If you 'blow' the exterior off, don't get too close or use too much pressure. You can blow the dust into the camera through cracks between the case and the switches, etc. Far better to get a soft paint brush and brush the exterior. I assume you know how to clean optics, right? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

August 14th, 2003, 06:10 PM	#3
Kevin Nardelle Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New Orleans - Metairie Posts: 87	Agree I used to repair cameras and pro 3/4 inch decks and such. I agree with Mike - Do NOT blow the dirt into the camera, use a very soft paint brush to dust off the camera and all the cracks and such. Cleaning tapes are abrasive and can and do damage heads, use one as a last resort. The heads on this camera are tiny and very fragile, use only sony tape and send it in for a checkup once a year. Avoid sticking ANYTHING in or near the door or heads, only let tape drop down into the tape transport and only a sony tape. I would not want to have to return my camera with a JVC tape stuck in the transport back to sony. Blowing the exterior is really useless, the brush is most effective FIRST and in the end you can come over it with a light blast of canned air to remove the lose dirt still lingering. The brush will get everything up and off the surface. I use a kata bag on my camera where ever there might be sand blowing or dust, not just for rain, use it to protect the cam against other foreign intruders as well. __________________ Regards, Kevin --

August 15th, 2003, 12:46 PM	#4
Scott Thomas New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5	Dust in the Camera I learned a trick in Mexico to combat dust. While video taping a mission trip in a dust bowl area I had major head problems. Almost missed filming the last two days. A cleaning tape did not help. Finally, fixed it by playing a tape all the way through. However, the next year I followed a tip and never had a problem with dust. That tip was to tape up the cracks of the camera with scotch tape. I covered everything I could and took extra tape if I had to open the tape door to replace the tape. __________________ Scott

August 15th, 2003, 02:26 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Please, no, not Scotch tape! The industry standard is 'paper tape.' for this purpose. Used because it leaves no residue and comes off easily, this tape can be purchased in widths from about 1/8" up to at least 2". In any color you choose. You see this stuff on film cassettes to guard against light leaks. I think Markertek carries it. Not too expensive and worth every penny. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!