Head cleaning for XH-A1 at DVinfo.net

Guy Shaddock · May 30th, 2008, 07:55 AM

I just purchased an XH-A1. I did quite a bit of research on the camera before I bought it but never really read anything about clogged heads. I own a Panasonic DVC 80 and have had a couple of incidents with clogged heads that were easily solved with a tape head cleaner. I have only ever used Panasonic Pro tapes in it.
I have also owned an Optura Pi for many years, run many different types of tapes through it and oddly never had a head clog.
Was I just lucky with the Pi? Is there a good brand of tape for the new XH-A1...has anyone had problems with clogged heads with this camera? If so what type of head cleaner should I buy?

Steve Siegel · May 30th, 2008, 04:26 PM

I'm not sure what you mean by "clogged" head. Do you mean dirty head? The XL H1 heads will get dirty if you shoot for a couple of days in windy, dusty country, and may require multiple passes with a cleaning head (any brand), but no permanent problems. It is no worse than any of the previous XL camcorders. Some duct tape to seal the tape compartment door helps, too.

May 30th, 2008, 07:55 AM	#1
Guy Shaddock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 131	Head cleaning for XH-A1 I just purchased an XH-A1. I did quite a bit of research on the camera before I bought it but never really read anything about clogged heads. I own a Panasonic DVC 80 and have had a couple of incidents with clogged heads that were easily solved with a tape head cleaner. I have only ever used Panasonic Pro tapes in it. I have also owned an Optura Pi for many years, run many different types of tapes through it and oddly never had a head clog. Was I just lucky with the Pi? Is there a good brand of tape for the new XH-A1...has anyone had problems with clogged heads with this camera? If so what type of head cleaner should I buy?

May 30th, 2008, 04:26 PM	#2
Steve Siegel Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Posts: 839	I'm not sure what you mean by "clogged" head. Do you mean dirty head? The XL H1 heads will get dirty if you shoot for a couple of days in windy, dusty country, and may require multiple passes with a cleaning head (any brand), but no permanent problems. It is no worse than any of the previous XL camcorders. Some duct tape to seal the tape compartment door helps, too.