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From: fred@mot.UUCP (Fred Christiansen)
Newsgroups: net.video
Subject: Re: VCR Head Cleaning (Year-old Summary)
Message-ID: <447@mot.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 14:19:04 EST
Article-I.D.: mot.447
Posted: Wed Nov 13 14:19:04 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Nov-85 21:55:53 EST
References: <836@houxa.UUCP>
Organization: Motorola Microsystems, Tempe, AZ  85282
Lines: 97

> What is the best method for cleaning the heads, capstans, etc. of my VHS
> VCR? I've seen several different products, but want to avoid the ones
> which irreparably damage the heads. I've been using Q-tips and alcohol
> to clean the heads of my cassette deck, but The VCR's heads are not visible
> through the access door.
>	Any suggestions? 		Steve

Steve, I asked a similar question almost a year ago.  Here is the
summary of responses.  If any of this info was (or is) incorrect,
folk can send me their two bits worth.

Subject: Re: video tapes and VCR head cleaning
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 84 12:54:18 est
From: ulysses!smb (Steven Bellovin)

The best advice I've seen is that yes, tape quality does make a difference --
if all you're doing is time-shifting, and hence need only half a dozen or
so tapes, buy good ones.  This means a reputable brand from a reputable
dealer (there are counterfeits floating around) -- I stick to TDK or Maxell,
and buy their premium version.  Apart from the better picture quality, you'll
leave less grunk on the heads.

As for cleaning -- folks I respect say *don't* clean your VCR heads yourself;
they're very delicate, and don't need cleaning nearly as often as audio
recorders do.  Unless you know exactly what you're doing, leave it to a pro.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: trwspp!spp2!stassen
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 84 09:44:42 pst

	Professional cleaning is probably the way to go, because you shouldn't
have to do it that often.  _Consumer Reports_ claims that (for their VHS tape
tests, November this year) they ran a VCR for 2500 hours, and the heads STILL
didn't need cleaning.
	In the same issue, they rated video tapes, and gave the highest marks
(by far) to _Scotch_ cassettes.  I also found that Scotch cassettes were by
far the least expensive in this area.  (The tests were for VHS tapes).
	The issue just left the newsstands, I believe, but you should have no
trouble digging up a copy.
	-- Chris
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: pertec!bytebug (Roger Long)
Date: Mon, 24 Dec 84 17:33:25 pst

I've only used TDK and Maxell tapes in my machine (which is now about 4
years old).  Stick with a "name" brand, as I've read (in various video
magazines) that some of the "off" brand tapes shed their magnetic coatings
all over the inside of your machine.

For convenience, I use the Alsop wet-cleaning system.  Basically you have a
piece of chamois in a cartridge shell that you wet with head cleaner and put
into your machine and activate "play" to wrap the wet chamois around the head
for a few seconds.  However, I've had my machine on an extended warantee, and
I've taken it in once a year to have the machine cleaned and adjusted.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: asgb!sjk (Scott J. Kamin)
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 84 09:27:41 pst

Video Tapes like VCR internals are only manufactured by a few companies.  I have
had very good results from Kodak. They buy high-quality tape from TDK.
Currently, local stores are offering them for $5.99 each and Kodak has a
"Buy 3, Get One FREE!" promotion by mail making the effective price for 4
tapes $4.49 each. Unbeatable!

Stay away from tapes whose brand you've never heard of.  Companies sell the
tape which doesn't meet their standards to these no-name companies who put it
in a cheap shell and sell it. It ought to come with a guarantee to damage your
video heads!

Don't clean your heads unless you can detect a deterioration in the picture,
i.e. streaks, graininess, etc.  All cleaning is abrasive and over cleaning
will permanently damage the heads.  When you do need to clean, use a good
quality ( i.e. brand name) cleaner.  Most magazines claim no significant
difference.  See the most recent VIDEO REVIEW magazine for a head cleaner test.
I personally use the Discwasher dry cleaner as I've always respected their
record cleaners.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resume of November 1984's Consumer Reports on VHS tapes:
- don't buy off-brands, these are substandard
- high grade name brands are not necessarily better than standard name brands
- tapes marked "stereo" or "hi-fi" are not necessary to record stereo or hi-fi
- hi-fi VCRs record differently from mono or stereo VCRs (diagonal vs. edge)
- keep tapes away from magnetic fields (e.g., stereo speakers)
- store tapes on end, not flat, to prevent sagging
- suspect dirty VCR heads only if sudden noise level increase for all tapes
- brand name head cleaner tapes are OK, but stick to manufacturers directions
- ranking:
  1. Scotch, 2. Scotch HGX, 3. BASF HG, 4. TDK EHG, 5. BASF, 6. Konica,
  7. Maxell HGX Gold, 8. Minolta, 9. RCA, 10. Sony, 11. Polaroid, 12. Fuji,
  13. JVC, 14. Kodak, 15. Maxell, 16. Panasonic, 17. TDK,
  18. Quasar, 19. SKC, 20. Memorex, 21. Radio Shack,
  22. PD Magnetics HG                                     --- Fred Christiansen
-- 
<< Generic disclaimer >>
Fred Christiansen ("Canajun, eh?") @ Motorola Microsystems, Tempe, AZ
UUCP:  {seismo!terak, trwrb!flkvax, utzoo!mnetor, ihnp4, attunix}!mot!fred
ARPA:  oakhill!mot!fred@ut-sally.ARPA          "Families are Forever"