Recommendations for tape head cleaner

Linda Schodowsky · July 6th, 2008, 11:13 PM

I'm looking to purchase tape head cleaner for my vx2000. I've run across 2 different products while researching on-line and both have received bad reviews (hyperbrush & Dynex). Both products are sold at Best Buy and RadioShack. These are my two best sources in my area.

There's another product I can buy (on-line only through Radio Shack, but sold at other places as well): MAXELL MDV/HC1 MiniDV Head Cleaner. It's gotten 2 good reviews from Amazon, but I'm wondering if anybody else has used this.

I'm going to be in NYC by this time next week and want to get my camera in good shape. Depending on info/advice I receive on here, I might hold off and wait until I get there. Another product that they sell at B & H is this, so I could always head on over there.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...i_DV_Head.html

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Don Bloom · July 7th, 2008, 06:29 AM

get the head cleaner that's named the same as the tapes you use. Meaning, if you use Sony tape get the Sony cleaner, Panasonic tapes, Panasonic cleaner. ETC. Stay away from the off brands and ALWAYS follow the instructions to the letter.

Don

Linda Schodowsky · July 7th, 2008, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the info - I wasn't aware that Sony made a tape head cleaner. I went ahead and surfed the 'net, found a place that sells it and purchased it. It should arrive to me by Thursday. It has gotten very good reviews. I bought it from Tapeandvideo.com.

Chris van der Zaan · July 7th, 2008, 06:05 PM

Don is right. Good luck with cleaning your tape drive. :)

J. Stephen McDonald · July 12th, 2008, 08:48 PM

If you do have to run the Sony cleaning cassette, do it for only a few seconds and that may be all that's needed. You can prematurely wear out the heads by running it too much. If the problem persists after using the cleaning tape, it may be due to something other than dirty heads, or a professional cleaning of them may be necessary. I bought a Sony DV cleaning cassette 4 years ago for my VX2100 and my intention was to never use it until it was necessary. This cassette is still sealed in its original plastic.

July 6th, 2008, 11:13 PM	#1
Linda Schodowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Berea, Ohio Posts: 139	Recommendations for tape head cleaner I'm looking to purchase tape head cleaner for my vx2000. I've run across 2 different products while researching on-line and both have received bad reviews (hyperbrush & Dynex). Both products are sold at Best Buy and RadioShack. These are my two best sources in my area. There's another product I can buy (on-line only through Radio Shack, but sold at other places as well): MAXELL MDV/HC1 MiniDV Head Cleaner. It's gotten 2 good reviews from Amazon, but I'm wondering if anybody else has used this. I'm going to be in NYC by this time next week and want to get my camera in good shape. Depending on info/advice I receive on here, I might hold off and wait until I get there. Another product that they sell at B & H is this, so I could always head on over there. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...i_DV_Head.html Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

July 12th, 2008, 08:48 PM	#5
J. Stephen McDonald Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 717	Use Head-cleaning Tape Only When Really Needed If you do have to run the Sony cleaning cassette, do it for only a few seconds and that may be all that's needed. You can prematurely wear out the heads by running it too much. If the problem persists after using the cleaning tape, it may be due to something other than dirty heads, or a professional cleaning of them may be necessary. I bought a Sony DV cleaning cassette 4 years ago for my VX2100 and my intention was to never use it until it was necessary. This cassette is still sealed in its original plastic. __________________ Steve McDonald http://www.flickr.com/photos/22121562@N00/ http://www.vimeo.com/user458315/videos

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July 7th, 2008, 06:29 AM	#2
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,704	get the head cleaner that's named the same as the tapes you use. Meaning, if you use Sony tape get the Sony cleaner, Panasonic tapes, Panasonic cleaner. ETC. Stay away from the off brands and ALWAYS follow the instructions to the letter. Don

July 7th, 2008, 09:32 AM	#3
Linda Schodowsky Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Berea, Ohio Posts: 139	Thanks for the info - I wasn't aware that Sony made a tape head cleaner. I went ahead and surfed the 'net, found a place that sells it and purchased it. It should arrive to me by Thursday. It has gotten very good reviews. I bought it from Tapeandvideo.com.

July 7th, 2008, 06:05 PM	#4
Chris van der Zaan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 52	Don is right. Good luck with cleaning your tape drive. :)