Should I use head cleaner? at DVinfo.net

Graham Jones · May 23rd, 2004, 06:01 PM

I recently bought a JVC GR-PD1. It's physically the same as the HD1, as far as I know, but with different frame rate, recording formats...

I'm using Sony Mini DV tapes and intend to continue doing so forever.

However, the first tape I put in the cam was actually a Panasonic which I'd already used in a low grade domestic handycam.

I inserted the Panasonic tape, played it to (see where I was on the tape) then shot no more than 3 mins of footage.

The next day, like I say, I switched to Sony and don't intend to use anything other than Sony from now on.

I have since read a lot in 'The Long Black Line' and learnt that the most enduring piece of advice tapewise is - stick to a brand and if you change, use the cleaning tape.

My question is simply : given that I used the Panasonic tape SO briefly, should I still use the cleaning tape now?

Thanks

Frank Granovski · May 23rd, 2004, 06:37 PM

Here's some tape information.

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Rob Belics · May 23rd, 2004, 08:24 PM

I've heard somebody say that before and it just sounded really goofy to me. I've only used one-inch tape machines and we clean them with alcohol regularly. The only reason we used the same tapes all the time was we bought them by the case.

On that website, TDK has the real answer: "...we have no test data to substantiate this issue."

Graham Jones · May 24th, 2004, 01:17 AM

thanks

May 23rd, 2004, 06:01 PM	#1
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	Should I use head cleaner? I recently bought a JVC GR-PD1. It's physically the same as the HD1, as far as I know, but with different frame rate, recording formats... I'm using Sony Mini DV tapes and intend to continue doing so forever. However, the first tape I put in the cam was actually a Panasonic which I'd already used in a low grade domestic handycam. I inserted the Panasonic tape, played it to (see where I was on the tape) then shot no more than 3 mins of footage. The next day, like I say, I switched to Sony and don't intend to use anything other than Sony from now on. I have since read a lot in 'The Long Black Line' and learnt that the most enduring piece of advice tapewise is - stick to a brand and if you change, use the cleaning tape. My question is simply : given that I used the Panasonic tape SO briefly, should I still use the cleaning tape now? Thanks

May 23rd, 2004, 06:37 PM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Here's some tape information. http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

May 23rd, 2004, 08:24 PM	#3
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	I've heard somebody say that before and it just sounded really goofy to me. I've only used one-inch tape machines and we clean them with alcohol regularly. The only reason we used the same tapes all the time was we bought them by the case. On that website, TDK has the real answer: "...we have no test data to substantiate this issue."

May 24th, 2004, 01:17 AM	#4
Graham Jones Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 489	thanks