Is it possible for dirty heads to contaminate tapes?

Glen Elliott · July 3rd, 2003, 08:07 AM

I remember when talking to a tech at Panasonic Broadcast he said to try ff and rewinding a fresh tape to help "loosen the head of foriegn particles". He said it works similarly to a head cleaner because even normal tapes have a very minute amout of abrasivness to them. Going by that statement I'd have to guess that the tape DOES go over the heads while in ff and rewind. I just figured I'd mention it because I'm sure companies' techs have been wrong....especially the schlubs hired to answer the phones.

Lorinda Norton · July 8th, 2003, 05:37 PM

Hi Jeff,

[I'm not saying tape transports don't get replaced, they do. But they are replaced because they get bent or misaligned because of careless handling, not FF and REW tapes. Some cameras my have the tape in contact with the heads during FF and REW, most don't.]

Can the XL1s get "bent or misaligned" for any other reason? We treat ours with the greatest of care, but through our detective work, it's looking like the cameras are to blame for the bad video/audio playback through anything other than the cameras themselves, or a high-end deck. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could be easier on a camera than I am!!

On another note, your comments solidify the thought I was given that we should just use the cameras for playback/capture, because by the time they wear out we'll probably want to buy something different.

Jeff Donald · July 8th, 2003, 08:18 PM

Cameras can go out of align for many reasons, but the most common is a bump or knock. It doesn't have to be very hard, like the camera sliding of the car seat during a quick stop. It just goes bump, and everything seems OK. But those small parts have been slightly bent. Each successive use cause a little more abnormal wear and tear. After 6 months or so the unit is out of align.

I agree on your last statement. Camera are all direct drive, in other words gears. They do not use belts etc. anymore. It would be just about impossible to wear out the drive gears etc. Heads are usually good for 1000 hours or so. That's a lot of taping. Again, for most people, the technology will have changed enough to warrant an investment in a new camera.

Lorinda Norton · July 8th, 2003, 09:05 PM

Wow, I had no idea these cameras were so delicate. I don't remember any bumps or knocks, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

Guess I won't worry as long as we can make it work in the present; however, I will be upset if, way down the road, we need anything off the old tapes and other equipment won't be able to play it. That's why I'm not gung ho on getting these two "realigned." Not that anything I've shot is so valuable to date, but what do you say about that--could getting the cameras serviced cause us problems playing our old tapes?

Jeff Donald · July 8th, 2003, 09:09 PM

I may not happen every time, but as the saying goes, It only takes once.

July 8th, 2003, 05:37 PM	#17
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Hi Jeff, [I'm not saying tape transports don't get replaced, they do. But they are replaced because they get bent or misaligned because of careless handling, not FF and REW tapes. Some cameras my have the tape in contact with the heads during FF and REW, most don't.] Can the XL1s get "bent or misaligned" for any other reason? We treat ours with the greatest of care, but through our detective work, it's looking like the cameras are to blame for the bad video/audio playback through anything other than the cameras themselves, or a high-end deck. Honestly, I don't know how anyone could be easier on a camera than I am!! On another note, your comments solidify the thought I was given that we should just use the cameras for playback/capture, because by the time they wear out we'll probably want to buy something different. __________________ Lorinda

July 8th, 2003, 08:18 PM	#18
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Cameras can go out of align for many reasons, but the most common is a bump or knock. It doesn't have to be very hard, like the camera sliding of the car seat during a quick stop. It just goes bump, and everything seems OK. But those small parts have been slightly bent. Each successive use cause a little more abnormal wear and tear. After 6 months or so the unit is out of align. I agree on your last statement. Camera are all direct drive, in other words gears. They do not use belts etc. anymore. It would be just about impossible to wear out the drive gears etc. Heads are usually good for 1000 hours or so. That's a lot of taping. Again, for most people, the technology will have changed enough to warrant an investment in a new camera. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 8th, 2003, 09:05 PM	#19
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Wow, I had no idea these cameras were so delicate. I don't remember any bumps or knocks, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Guess I won't worry as long as we can make it work in the present; however, I will be upset if, way down the road, we need anything off the old tapes and other equipment won't be able to play it. That's why I'm not gung ho on getting these two "realigned." Not that anything I've shot is so valuable to date, but what do you say about that--could getting the cameras serviced cause us problems playing our old tapes? __________________ Lorinda

July 8th, 2003, 09:09 PM	#20
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I may not happen every time, but as the saying goes, It only takes once. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 3rd, 2003, 08:07 AM	#16
Glen Elliott Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,898	I remember when talking to a tech at Panasonic Broadcast he said to try ff and rewinding a fresh tape to help "loosen the head of foriegn particles". He said it works similarly to a head cleaner because even normal tapes have a very minute amout of abrasivness to them. Going by that statement I'd have to guess that the tape DOES go over the heads while in ff and rewind. I just figured I'd mention it because I'm sure companies' techs have been wrong....especially the schlubs hired to answer the phones.