Cleaning XL2 Heads
 

Though this may sound like a newbie question, it is still legit. I recently cleaned the heads of my XL2, i.e. I PLAYED the tape cleaner for about 10 seconds. There was no previous problems, just did it.

After an hour or so of recording, I get a message that says, "Clean Heads."

All of the footage looked fine.

What I am wondering, what is the correct procedure for cleaning the heads for an XL2?

How long do you run the tape? How often?

Thanks

Sounds like you did it correctly. However, what type of cleaning cassette did you use? Canon does not recommend 'wet type' head cleaners. Only the dry ones. Did you by chance switch brands of tape after the head clean?

-gb-

Tape Stock
 

The camera could give you that message when you go through temperature changes on shoots.

I also recommend using the same tape stock, as different tapes shed differently. ( I learned that the hard way with my old aDat studio). As well, different tapes shed differently in different climates, so a guy in NY will like a brand that might not work in Antarctica :)

First of all, why were you cleaning the heads to begin with. Was the camera requesting that the heads be cleaned? Were you getting viideo drop-outs? Do you use the camera to playback older tapes or tapes you used on another cam? I experienced intermittent problems with the heads on my XL2 but I never received a message stating that the heads needed to be cleaned. I had to have my recording unit replaced, not just the heads.