X-John_Young
Imported Account
May 2, 2003, 12:53 PM
Post #1 of 4
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I have a cheapo JVC mini-DV camcorder which I use as a deck, to capture video from tape to computer, record the finished product back onto mini-DV, and then to play that master to a bank of VCRs, in order to keep wear and tear off my main camcorder.
I've only had it for about a month, and for my current project I have about 13 miniDV tapes, each of which I've probably played back with it three times. I've also recorded 3 60 minute programs back onto it. So, all in all it has less than 45 hours of playing time so far.
This morning, I noticed noise in a program I recorded with it last night, and then it started displaying a message saying it needs it heads cleaned.
(I've exclusively used Sony tapes, because I've read about head clogs happening when different tape brands are used)
My questions (I bet you wondered if I'd ever get to them):
- Is this normal, for 45 hours of use to dirty up heads?
- Are the heads on real miniDV decks less susceptable to getting dirty than those of camcorders?
- Anybody have a recommendation on head cleaner brand? Are some better than others? Wet vs. Dry?
- Once I clean the heads, should they be 'clean as new'? Or can I look forward to doing this more and more frequently as time goes on?
- I've read before that you shouldn't clean camcorder heads UNTIL you have direct evidence that they're dirty. Now I'm thinking I should clean the heads on my main unit, even though the don't seem dirty.
Thanks for any answers or advice.
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