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DV camcorder problem and question

Lotus-eater
Lotus-eater Posts: 10,789 Forumite
10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
My camcorder has horizontal lines on it on playback, I assume that it needs a cleaning tape running through it?
I was planning on using it today to record something, can I still record on it and when I've ran the cleaning tape it will play it back OK? Or does the cleaning tape need to be run first, before it will record OK?

And does anyone know which it the best deal/or quality cleaning tape out there?
The camcorder is a JVC.
Thanks.
Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

Comments

  • kwikbreaks
    kwikbreaks Posts: 9,187 Forumite
    The cleaning cleans the heads. If the record heads are contaminated then what gets recorded won't be perfect and later cleaning won't change that.
  • penrhyn
    penrhyn Posts: 15,215 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    If it was an analogue camcorder I'd agree that dirty heads were causing the problem.
    However since its a DV machine I doubt that's the cause.
    Does this happen if you download video to your PC?
    That gum you like is coming back in style.
  • OK_Sauce
    OK_Sauce Posts: 988 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    DV camcorders get dirty heads as they are still a tape based format. The most likely problem is dirty heads. The record/play head is the same so if it's dirty it will compromise both recordings and playback. You can get really cheap headcleaners off Ebay.
    "...IT'S FRUITY!"
  • Lotus-eater
    Lotus-eater Posts: 10,789 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    OK_Sauce wrote: »
    DV camcorders get dirty heads as they are still a tape based format. The most likely problem is dirty heads. The record/play head is the same so if it's dirty it will compromise both recordings and playback. You can get really cheap headcleaners off Ebay.
    Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know.
    Are the cheaper head cleaners from ebay, either the same quality as one bought from a shop, or doesn't it really matter, a head cleaner is a head cleaner?
    Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
  • OK_Sauce
    OK_Sauce Posts: 988 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I bought one off ebay because it's actually quite difficult to buy one in the shops. You can still get Sony, TDK, Panasonic, etc., head cleaners off there.
    "...IT'S FRUITY!"
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