Guide To Cleaning The DVX100(a) Recording Heads

Head Cleaning

Head Cleaning

Thank you for the concise instructions, and for the recommendation of seeking an authorized service provider if one does not trust their tech skills. I contacted a provider called The Video Clinic Inc. in Santa Monica, and they quoted me a $425 price tag for a head cleaning. Is this close to the standard rate, or is there another place you might recommend? Thanks!
Ben Barnick
hessianben@gmail.com
 
Hey guys, I have a DVX100B that hasnt been used yet - I've heard its 'self-cleaning' ? - is this true and is it good enough by itself?
thanks
 
$425 to clean the heads!?!?
That's crazy.
Call Digitronics in Los Angeles (ask for Eric). They are an authorized service center and really know what they're doing.
Only place in LA I'd ever trust with my camera.
Hope this helps.
Ken
the Screen Skins guy
 
Just curious.....had the red circle with the black x come up and blink on my dvx100a. Is this the dirty head warning, because I looked back at the footage an it looks fine. Also turned off the camera and turned it back on and the warning went away. It only seems to come up when the camera switches to standby and I hit the record button.

Sorry if this is in the wrong place...but advice would be gooooood.
 
andybiz_2005 said:
Hi,

I have a question. Does the DVX100A's miniDV tape mechanism have a built-in feature to self-clean the miniDV tape as it is running, just like the DVX100B has? I am hoping the DVX100A has this feature. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is this true, I never heard about this.
 
Head Maintenance

Head Maintenance

What are some of the things you guys do make sure head wear is as low as possible?

I initially though that heads were only used during recording, but when I checked the usage counter on my DVX 100A today, I realized that it counted MUCH more than just the recording time. I'm assuming the counter runs whenever the camera ON in recording mode.

I read Barry S's head cleaning tutorial, and I will definitely be doing that on a regular basis. Other than that, it seems like you should turn off the camera (or at least switch to VTR mode) whenever you're not recording, even between shots). It also seems like your shooting ratio should be as low as possible so you don't waste head time.

Thoughts? Suggestions?
 
Kudo's to all who created and contributed to this excellent thread.
A real classic Ming, thanks for the bump

A few updates & comments.

I think it's important to realize the tolerances you're dealing with. The spinning drum is used to precisely align the recording tape in relation to the recording heads. The actual recording heads are located inside the drum and access the tape through the tiny black cutouts you see in the spinning drum. The magnetic field they generate and record to / read from the tape is created between two metallic points separated by a microscopic gap about 1/10th the diameter of a human hair. Any contaminant in this area alters the shape of the magnetic field, weakening the recording. These metallic points are actually a film bonded to a substrate. They are polished/shaped to absorb impact occurring in the direction of tape travel hence the caveat to clean by holding the cleaning pad stationary and spinning the drum itself. Never ever use any type of vertical or scrubbing motion over these cutouts.

Also understand that the contact pressure between the head and tape is very very light to non-existent depending on the head design. Light contact between the cleaning swab and drum is all that's required. Heavier pressure when getting gunk off the pinch bars and guides is fine. Paper strips soaked in alcohol, wrapped around the bars and pulled back and forth like you were sanding them can be an effective technique.

Be aware that these bars actually move when loading/unloading tapes. The yellow/white gunk on the bottom of the transport mechanism is actually grease and should not be removed unless you're headed for the high arctic where freezing is a problem.

The typing paper trick - We used to use this all the time on older (up to VHS) style heads. On the miniDV the tolerances are way (5x) smaller, this would be an emergency only kinda thing and the abrasiveness is not much different than cleaning tape. Smooth papers are actually manufactured with clays and fillers embedded in the weave and will create a gunky mess.

None of this is meant to scare you. Head cleaning is actually a very simple procedure when you understand what you're doing. After cleaning your lens it's one of the most important preventative maintenance tasks you can do.

Best Wishes :beer:
 
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A couple more thoughts.

Iso alcohol is commonly available at paint supply/hardware stores, just make sure you get the pure (99%) stuff. The rubber conditioner is much harder to find due to the new hazmat regulations. Try a printer's supply (known as platen cleaner).

Another source is an electronic supply house. Here are links to one . . .


http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TECHSPRAY-1610-P-/20-2135

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TECHSPRAY-1612-2SQ-/20-1890

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/search.aspx?C=&K=chamois

Be aware the rubber cleaner is very corrosive to some plastics. Also, the rubber drive roller typically does not need cleaning near as often as the heads so don't neglect the heads for lack of a rubber cleaner. Many shops actually clean the drive roller with alcohol, using the rubber cleaner every fourth or fifth time when glazing is noticed.

Be well
 
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quick question,
I had problems before with very quick audio stutter a matter of a few frames in the audio, maybe 3 or 4 times on a 60 min tape at random moments and then its been fine for ages now it just came back, would that be head cleaning issue? or possibly dodgy tape?
there is no tape dropout that i can see an it captures fine in fcp and audio doesnt drift
 
koolness. this will sure help some people. I had hell trying to find 99% alcohol here in jamaica...cuz they dont sell that to average people usually. Just chemical companies and businesses. but i got some non the less...but i had to buy a big quantity. lets just say i have 99% alcohol to clean my dvx for 2 lifetimes :)
 
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