2 Questions: Capture camera to use with my DVX?/DVX head cleaning

[Bryan Daniel]

Hey guys,
First of all I hope this is posted in the right section. (Both questions are directly related to the use of my dvx100b, but I realized the first part of my question may be able to be posted in the "hardware" section.)

Anyways, I just picked up a dvx100b with about 150 hours on the heads and had a few questions I wanted to get sorted out before I started shooting with it:

First of all I believe that the previous owner never cleaned the heads so even before shooting, I can imagine that the heads are in need of a cleaning. My question is what are your suggestions for cleaning the heads. Should I follow the instructions posted by Barry and do it myself, buy a cleaning tape and run that through the heads, or take it in somewhere to have them professionally cleaned.

The second thing is that I would like to minimize excessive wear on the heads any way that I can. I decided it might be a good idea to buy a cheap dv camera to use to capture my tapes, so I don't have to playback the tapes on my dvx. My question is does anyone have any suggestion for a cheap dv camera I can use exclusively to capture my tapes. The reason I ask is because from what I have read, the camera you use to capture your footage will not effect the quality of the footage you captured on the dvx. So in theory buying the CHEAPEST dv camera available will get the job done just as well as the dvx will (in terms of logging and capturing.) Can someone please confirm this for me?

Thank you!

 

[andythefilmer]

For cleaning, first, get a blank tape: the same you use to record on (which should definitely always be the same kind) and just play it from beginning to end. Then get a cleaning cassette and play it for 10 seconds but DO NOT rewind until the end. They can handle two uses.

As for a capture camera, yes, everyone with a professional dv camera should not import with that camera. I have a discontinued sony that still costs about $300 but no matter how cheap the camera is, it will be the same quality as if you imported directly from the camera or even from a professional deck, which would cost in the thousands! If you go on a site like newegg.com or bestbuy.com, the cheapest ones are around $250. You could also check on ebay for one but it is better to start on fresh heads.

 

[jambredz]

i use a canon zr 900.

I folloed barry's instructions and clean my heads but that was after a long time of deliberation. I.m glad i know how to do it now though. if u dont feel comfortable doing it urself then send it in for a pro cleaning. If ur using a 100b...then these modified instructions with help...as the 100a and b internals are slightly different. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=6888&page=18 (scroll down)

 

[Alex H.]

Then get a cleaning cassette and play it for 10 seconds but DO NOT rewind until the end. They can handle two uses.

Whoa, there! Never, ever, ever rewind a head-cleaning cassette! Ever!

Use cleaning cassettes sparingly. They are abrasive, are similar to dragging sand paper across the heads, and can even end up grinding dirt down into the grooves of the head rather than picking it up. And rewinding a cleaning cassette just drags that abrasive strip across the heads at a higher speed and can re-deposit anything it lifted to begin with.

The best option is to use the blank tape. To clarify that process, take a fresh, unopened tape. Open it, put it in the camera (in VTR mode) and play it from start to finish. Eject it, and throw it away. Rewinding it will dump everything back onto the heads.

As for a capture camera, yes, everyone with a professional dv camera should not import with that camera. I have a discontinued sony that still costs about $300 but no matter how cheap the camera is, it will be the same quality as if you imported directly from the camera or even from a professional deck, which would cost in the thousands! If you go on a site like newegg.com or bestbuy.com, the cheapest ones are around $250. You could also check on ebay for one but it is better to start on fresh heads.

Plenty of folks use cheap miniDV cameras as capture decks for their DVX footage. That's all well and good, but there are advantages to having an actual deck if you can afford it. A camera is going to wear out on you, and it's cheaper to replace than to repair.

With an actual deck, you get more frame-accurate control in both capture and edit-to-tape. A deck is a much more robust machine than a cheap-o camera, and will last much, much longer. I bought a Sony DSR-11 in 2002 and it's still working like a champ. Though discontinued, those decks are available used on eBay and often at great prices.