So my xl1s is flashing "dirty heads" is the cleaning cassette tape effective? Just wondering if anyones had problems using the tape to clean the heads.

Generally the dry cleaning tape is effective. Best to use a brand name tape. Clean per the instructions in the user manual. Excessive cleaning does cause head wear. If the head are super clogged, the tape may not do it and professional servicing may be indicated.

Do not use wet process cleaning, it can actually make things worse.

I concur with Don.

It looks like im now having trouble with playing back the tape, I've used the cleaning cassete a couple of times, and now when i put my camera in VCR mode and try to rewind the tape it gets jammed up and says "Eject tape" and then the tape is all distorted and the picture is all chopped up like it would look from a dirty head, does this mean I need to get it cleaned professionally?

Try run the cleaning tape once more following the instruction. Then try a "waste" tape (one you can spare if it gets trashed in the test process). Try FF, play, RW, and then record/playback. That that cycle fails, time for real, professional repair.

Are you using a fresh tape to record with? If you are using an old tape, that might be a problem too. I would be curious to know whether the tape will play normally in another vcr.

ive been using new tapes, I am going to try and play the tape somewhere else to see if its still distorted.