HEADS? Do they last? Cost to replace?

toddmcm

toddmcm

Carbonite Member
So, using the cam as an editing deck sure sucks.

How long can I expect the A1 to hold up to recording and then being used as an editing deck?

What is the cost to replace the heads once they go?

(FWIW, I'm really just trying to justify the Firestore but my wife isn't having it)
 
Your heads will last a very long time, even as a deck. You may need a solid clean from time to time.
 
Not to sound like a jerk (even though I am sometimes) but "very long time" is very subjective.

A very long time to me is 100,000 hours before needing service from Canon.

Cleaning interval should be what? 50-100 hours?
 
Wow, really ONLY 1,000 before the Heads will need replacement?

Any idea on the cost when the time is up?
 
Uhm... I bought, sorry, my parents bought a Sony TRV-510 in 1999 - it's still running perfectly after extensive (very extensive) use. At one point, I was using this as a video-walkman, recoring shows and films and just playing them from the camcorder. So if that's anything to go by, the XH-A1 should last me for a very long time...
 
What do you guys use to clean the heads on A1? A tape or some other method. And if you do use a tape, is it proprietary, or can it be sony, panasonic...
 
BennisHahn said:
I think +/- 1000 hours is a more realistic number...
Click to expand...

That sounds really low to me.

I've put far more than 1,000 hours into my XL-1 and its heads work perfectly. I'd imagine I can expect the same from my A1.
 
toddmcm said:
Not to sound like a jerk (even though I am sometimes) but "very long time" is very subjective.

A very long time to me is 100,000 hours before needing service from Canon.

Cleaning interval should be what? 50-100 hours?
Click to expand...

If you can rack up 100,000 hours on your A1 well then your shooting a lot more than me. That would only take you 11 years 24/7 use.

For the question at hand, Ive got the HV20 doing the capture job now.
 
ncje said:
If you can rack up 100,000 hours on your A1 well then your shooting a lot more than me. That would only take you 11 years 24/7 use.

For the question at hand, Ive got the HV20 doing the capture job now.
Click to expand...

Not to mention $500,000 for $5 tapes each time you're capturing.
 
LOL... it's NOT just capture here we're talking about but editing time as well. But yes, I was being a bit cantankerous with the 100,000 hours.

I was just wondering how long they would last and what cost if any would be incurred to replace them. Sounds like it's a non issue though.
 
Honestly I challenge anyone to find a legitimate post of someone actually wearing out their heads on any prosumer camera. Now I'm not talking about a TV station that has owned cameras for 10+ years, I'm talking about a sole proprieter with an XL1 through an XHA1 to a JVC110 etc. This really is just a non issue, and if you did ever end up wearing out the heads it will either be becasue:

A. There was a defect in the heads to begin with and they need to be replaced
B. You have been using your camera for way too long and it really is time for an upgrade.
 
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