I used different dv tapes in capture deck...safe for dvx?

F

Future Seasons

Member
Hello everyone, I have a question concerning my capture deck.

I just got my beautiful dvx100a (from dvx user marketplace!), previously I was shooting on a Panasonic PV-GS90, which I would now like to use as my capture deck. The problem is, I used several different kinds of dv tapes in the PV-GS90 (TDK, Fujifilm, Maxell...did not use Sony) because I didn't know it was best to stick with one type until I found this forum.

I only use Panasonic DVM63AMQ tapes with the DVX.

So my question is: If I shoot some footage on the DVX, then use the PV-GS90 to view the footage on a television, then put the dv tape back in the DVX to shoot more footage, is it going to impact the DVX tape heads in a negative way? Should I clean the PV-GS90 heads, and if so, what is the proper way?

Thank you for reading this post.
 
I never switched brands so I never did this but I heard you should clean the heads before you ever use other brands. (with the cleaning minidv tapes)

I'm not sure about the impact on playing it on the old cam and using it again for the dvx.
I would actually like to know the same as well.
 
mixing the other brands is ok EXCEPT sony which is wet lube. the others are dry lube. however i still wouldnt do it. I suggest running a cleaning tape through ur capture cam, then u play ur AMQ;s in there. Use a dry lube cleaning tape also. Dont run ur tape cleaner for more than 5 seconds cuz its harsh.

However a more head friendly cleaning method is the the blank tape method i see these guys talking about. Take a blank tape (watever tape u'll be using) . put ur camera in vcr mode and play it to the end. then discard the tape cuz whatever dirt that tape takes up will be redeposited on whatever other cam u play it with.

And i believe that playing ur tape in the capture cam and then playing it back in ur dvx can affect it if ur capture cam heads are dirty, which would be caused from using the different tapes. watever residue would be taken up by that tape and then deposited on ur dvx heads i believe.
 
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Ok sounds good- I'll get a head cleaner for the capture deck & then I'll run one of the dvm63amq's through it. Thank you for your replies.
 
Be careful with cleaning tapes. Use them ONLY as a last resort.

- Set the camera to VTR mode.
- Insert the cleaning tape.
- Hit PLAY (do NOT run it in record mode).
- Run it for no more than 5 seconds.
- Stop and eject the tape.
- Never, ever rewind a cleaning tape.

But before you run a cleaning cassette, there's a better trick to try. Since you've not added Sony tapes to the mix, you've been using all dry-type tapes. Get a fresh, blank tape. Set the camera to VTR mode and insert the new tape. Hit PLAY, and let the tape run for the full hour. Stop and eject the tape, then toss it out (using it again will only re-deposit anything tit took off). You should be fine after that.
 
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