recomended Head Cleaner

ive often heard that unless you have proof of internal schmutz, head cleaners do as much harm as good...
 
I have heard that head cleaner tapes are a last resort only to be used when in the field and the cam goes down.
Otherwise use proffesional,
in Atlanta the pro cleaning costs 100.00.
All labor, for an hour.
 
I totally agree that you should NOT use the head cleaning tapes very often, i.e. regular cleaning.
But they aren't certain death either. We keep one in our camera bag.
I'm pretty sure it's a Panasonic tape cleaner.
So to put a little balance for a new person, if you need it, use it. Just don't make it a regular practice.
As always, JMHO.
 
There was a thread on here a few years ago about how to clean the head of a DVX100. I'm sure the tape drive on the HVX200 is similar. Search for it. Basically, you use isopropyl alcohol and chamois swabs, and you clean the head and all the metal surfaces that the tape comes in contact with. There's a separate cleaner for the rubber rollers, but it's not as important. I've done it before many times without problems. Cheaper and faster than sending it in.

Cleaning tapes on the other hand are abrasive, and should only be used when absolutely necessary - like in the field when there's no other option. Like Ted, I have a Panasonic brand cleaning tape which I keep in the camera bag, and it has come in handy before.
 
eheath - come on. there are still several reasons i can think of to shoot on tape with an HVX..
 
HerzogisGod said:
for the HVX200


thanks
Click to expand...

Once upon a time, I used to service the Ampex Quadruplex 2 inch machines. Our biz also rebuilt the head drums. We only used the surfacing tapes as part of final calibration; never, never for cleaning. Period. Cleaning was accomplished (very, very carefully) with Isopropal and a swab. However, the heads were easily exposed on those drums. Unless you are technically savvy, I recommend leaving this to a service professional. Besides which, the modern helical scan systems are more or less self cleaning.
 
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