This maybe a strange question. Back in my audio days when we used to deal with old tape machines, both reel to reel and dat. When we cleaned our heads we never used the "cleaner tapes" we used the proper cleaning fluid with cleaning tips. Currently I use the cleaning tapes with my Cameras. Just because everyone seems to do it. Three questions; 1 Do these "cleaning tapes "damage your machines heads over time. 2. Is their a better way to clean them. 3. When you take your machine to Canon or whatever manufacturer do they use they tapes or do they use another method...Just wondering..If their is anyway to preserve the life of my machines heads and get an effective clean I would certainly be interested.

The difference with video heads compared to audio heads is that video heads turn and a VERY fragile, you wouldn't want to put a swab to them. Audio tape heads are stationary and can stand a good swabbing (although DAT decks do have the rotating drums...).

Thanks for the info, I guess that makes sense