Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version VT2.1 1/30/84; site vortex.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!vortex!lauren From: lauren@vortex.UUCP (Lauren Weinstein) Newsgroups: net.video Subject: cleaning VTR heads Message-ID: <248@vortex.UUCP> Date: Wed, 8-Feb-84 21:34:51 EST Article-I.D.: vortex.248 Posted: Wed Feb 8 21:34:51 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 11-Feb-84 05:17:19 EST Organization: Vortex Technology, Los Angeles Lines: 14 VTR video tape heads are EXTREMELY delicate and easily damaged by improper cleaning. It is very important that non-abrasive materials be used for cleaning, that no residue be left on the heads, and that the motion of cleaning (for helical-scan VTR's) always be VERTICAL ... never horizontal. Violating any of these "rules" can ruin video heads in short order -- they are incredibly more delicate than normal audio heads. In general, it's simply safer to leave video heads alone until you MUST clean them. I have one old Beta machine here that I've used heavily for almost 5 years -- I still haven't had to clean the heads. It certainly helps if you don't use "cheap" videotapes -- some brands leave residue on the heads even after the first use. --Lauren--