SHOP WINDOW -- TAPE HEAD CLEANERS
HEAD
HEAD-MASTERS?
INTRO
Sooner or later the video heads in your
camcorder and VCR will need cleaning -- we look at a selection of head-cleaner
tapes, and the continuing debate over their use
COPY
Even after all these years the use of head
cleaner tapes in camcorders and VCRs remains a contentious issue with plenty of
sharply divided opinions. We have been using head cleaners on camcorders and
VCRs for as long as they have been available; we've tried most of them, at one time or another, some work,
others are a waste of money, and one or two have given us genuine cause for
concern. The ones that work can be a useful first-aid measure for ailing
machines with dirty or clogged tape heads, which results in a progressively
noisy or unstable picture, but they are most definitely not a substitute for
the skilled attention of a qualified engineer. Many camcorder, VCR and video tape manufacturers are clearly
comfortable about their use and quite a few of the major brands, including the
market leaders, produce cleaner tapes of their own.
So what are the concerns? The main worry is
the potential for accelerated wear and/or damage to a video deck, caused by
over-use or mis-use. A second argument rages over the efficacy of the various
cleaning methods, we will look at both issues in turn. Damage to VCRs and
camcorders caused directly by cleaner tapes can and does occur but in our
experience this is mostly down to the user not following the instructions. Wear
and tear is harder to pin down. Normal video tape is deliberately abrasive,
giving it a light head-cleaning action, consequently video tape heads do wear
out. Our guess is some head cleaners can reduce head life, but by weeks rather
than months or years.
There are basically three types of tape head
cleaner: wet, dry and brush-action. In a wet cleaner the cassette is spooled
with an absorbent fabric tape, which is impregnated with a cleaning fluid,
(normally isopropyl alcohol), by various means. During each cleaning operation
a fresh length of tape makes a timed
pass through the deck and around the head drum, taking with it any dirt or
residue back into the cassette. Dry cleaners employ an especially abrasive or
'uncalendered' tape that literally scours the heads and tape path. A couple of
cleaner tapes on the market use a
combination wet or dry system. Most
tape cleaners can be used only once, though there's often enough consumables
(tape and/or fluid) for 100 or more
cleaning cycles. The contaminated tape should not be rewound and used again.
The third method uses micro fibre brushes, placed against the spinning head
drum. Automatic brush-type cleaners are now built into a significant number of
VCRs but we have also found a brand of cassette-type cleaners that use this
method. Brush-type cleaners have the advantage that they can get into the air
grooves and crannies on the head drum that other types of cleaners miss.
Apart from extra wear what else can go wrong?
Wet cleaners need the greatest care. If too much fluid is used, or the residues
are not allowed time to evaporate and a cassette is loaded too soon afterwards
the tape can stick to the spinning guide rollers, pinch wheel or even the head
drum itself, with messy and expensive consequences. There is some concern about
using wet type cleaners on new machines, where the drum and heads have not
bedded in properly and rough or sharp edges can snag fibres in the fabric tape,
causing additional clogging. Lastly, isopropyl alcohol is flammable and an
irritant and the dripper bottles --
some look just like dollies feeding-bottles -- should be kept well away from
children. Dry cleaners are far less contentious but they're not without
problems of their own. Due to their abrasive action they can leave a deposit
inside the machine, which could eventually add to the contamination and
cleaning problem. This far we haven't encountered any problems with brush-type
cleaners.
Originally we proposed to carry out a series
of comparative tests on each of the cleaner tapes but after some lengthy
experimentation we finally gave up. We encountered two major problems; the
first was in producing a standard contaminant. We tried various substances,
solids and liquids, using a variety of application methods -- Pepsi Cola
painted in strips on lengths of tape was one of the more successful ones -- but
it was impossible to get consistent results, with the different types of
cleaner.. The second was in recreating repeatable and comparable conditions
for both formats. It would have
required a set of identically aged test machines and after each session we
would have had to strip, analyse, manually clean and then realign each deck. It
could be done but by the time we'd finished the VHS and 8mm formats would have
been obsolete...
However, our experiments were not in vain,
and we amassed a lot of useful data which, combined with cleaning operations
carried out on machines in the office, plus past experiences has enabled us to
make some meaningful judgements about the capabilities of the various types of
cleaner tapes, under particular conditions, but we would like to repeat our
earlier warning that if a couple of
run-throughs with a good quality head cleaner tape -- in strict
accordance with the manufacturers instructions -- hasn't cured the problem seek
professional help.
We've collected together a section of cleaner
tapes, most of them are designed for camcorder use but we've included a few
full-size VHS cleaners as well, in general they work in the same way, and are
as proficient as their VHS-C stablemates. Here are our findings.
ALLSOP 0218
£14.99
The higher than average price for this
cleaner is explained by the pack of lens tissues and blower brush included in
the outfit. We were unable to evaluate our sample as the soft, ribbed fabric
became tangled around the pinch wheel, or would not run for more than a couple
of seconds and was not drawn back into
the cassette. No warnings about waiting for cleaner fluid to disperse. Very
unsatisfactory.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system wet,
one-use
Number operations 30
Performance 0
Value for money 1 (for the blower brush and tissues)
ALLSOP 0219 £14.99
Supplied with pack of lens tissues and blower
brush. Non woven fabric passes around entire tape patch and should remove light
soiling. Tests satisfactory though very brief instructions fail to warn about
waiting for fluid to evaporate and only cursory flammability warning on dripper
bottle.
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system wet, one-use
Number operations 30
Performance 5
Value for money 5
BIB V-42 £7.98
Somewhat over-packaged inside VHS-sized
cardboard box. Sample repeatedly jammed in one of our two test machines,
quality of construction poor. Unsatisfactory.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 200
Performance 3
Value for money 3
BIB V-45 £7.98
We detected some cleaning action, though
it only dealt with light soiling. Very
noisy in operation. Passable.
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 200
Performance 5
Value for money 5
FUJI 8CL-10 £6.89
Efficient and well-made dry cleaner, fine for
routine cleaning operations though unable to deal with very heavy
contamination. Good value. Recommended.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 300
Performance 7
Value for money 8
FUJI VCL-10 £4.89
Good quality dry cleaner, well made and very
good value. Three passes produced a
very small reduction in noise levels on one of our well-used office VCRs. Worth
trying.
Format VHS
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 400
Performance 6
Value for money 9
GENEVA VR-175 £15.99
No doubt about the warnings on the pump-spray
bottle of cleaning fluid supplied with this wet cleaner, 'harmful or fatal if
swallowed...' Mind you, it won't harm the ozone layer, as the box proudly
proclaims. The cleaning fluid was quite good with our experimental
contaminants, though it was very slow to evaporate, Geneva suggest waiting a
minute, we would have thought 5 or 10 minutes would be better. We're also
unhappy about the suggestion that a camcorder needs cleaning every week!
Effective but rather expensive.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system wet/dry, one use
Number operations 30
Performance 8
Value for money 5
GENEVA VR-180 £15.99
Similar to the 8mm cleaner, down to the
deadly cleaning fluid and questionable advice in the instructions. Good for shifting
slimy deposits, though with only enough consumables for 30 cleaning cycles it
does work out to be very expensive.
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system wet, one use
Number operations 30
Performance 8
Value for money 6
LINXS 90110 £23.99
Unusually comprehensive instructions,
including some important safety messages, but no warning about waiting for
cleaning solution to disperse. Wet or dry action, some cleaning action. Poor
value.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system wet, one-use
Number operations 30
Performance 5
Value for money 3
SCOTCH VHS-C £9.99
C-cassette version of Scotch's very
successful 'message' cleaner which gives a visible indication of the cleaning
process with an on-screen message that should become clearer as the cleaning
session progresses. Simple, safe and effective. Recommended.
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 240
Performance 8
Value for money 8
SCOTCH 8mm £9.99
No message this time, just a dry abrasive
tape spooled inside a shell, which we were surprised to discover, is identical
to the ones used on the Geneva and Linxs wet cleaners. Fairly effective but not
especially good value.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 30
Performance 6
Value for money 6
SCOTCH VHS £9.99
Our favourite VHS cleaner, because you can
see it working as the on-screen , message becomes clearer. Proven and reliable.
Recommended.
Format VHS
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 240
Performance 8
Value for money 8
SIMA SHC-V £9.99
Reasonably well made wet/dry cleaner with
handy compartment for bottle of cleaner fluid. Better than average instructions
with safety warning, recommending a 5-10 minute wait after using the cleaner.
Some cleaning action. Fair value.
Format VHS
Cleaning system wet/dry, one-use
Number operations 70
Performance 7
Value for money 8
SONY V8-25CLH £10.99
Safe and dependable dry cleaner, as
recommended by Sony themselves, so it must be okay. Our sample did quite well
with light contamination but made no headway on sticky deposits. A little
pricey, but that's Sony for you.
Format 8mm/Hi8
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 200
Performance 8
Value for money 7
SONY L25CLN
£9.29 --TO COME
Format Betamax
Cleaning system
Number operations
Performance
Value for money
SONY V25CLN £10.29
-- TO COME
Format VHS
Cleaning system
Number operations
Performance
Value for money
TRACKMATE TM281 £14.99
One of the stars of the show, and good value
as well, the brush can be cleaned when it becomes soiled. The brush emerges
from the cassette to give the head and air cushion grooves a repeated light
scrubbing, it has no effect on the rest of the tape path. It's important to
follow the instructions, though, as one of our test machines spat it out, when
the timing control wasn't set properly. There's also no warning about waiting
for the cleaning fluid to evaporate. Recommended.
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system brush, multiple-use
Number operations replacement fluid £2.99
Performance 9
Value for money 9
TRACKMATE TM291 £14.99
Similar in concept to Trackmate's 8mm
cleaner, with a moving brush that cleans the heads and air-grooves on the drum.
Good for removing loose dust and debris though insufficient pressure or
stiffness to cope with really stubborn grime, and no cleaning effect on the
rest of the tape path. Effective and good value as the brush can be washed or
replaced. Recommended.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system brush, multiple use
Number operations replacement fluid £2.99
Performance 9
Value for money 9
TDK VCL-11 £6.99
Safe and effective dry cleaner for light
accumulations of dirt. Simple to follow instructions and a reasonable price.
Well worth thinking about
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 100
Performance 8
Value for money 7
TDK V8-25CLH £7.99
Another quality dry cleaner, works well on
routine contamination, little impact on heavy-duty grime. Worth considering.
Format 8mm/Hi8
Cleaning system dry, one-use
Number operations 100
Performance 8
Value for money 8
TDK VCW-11 £13.99
One of the better quality wet cleaners. The
instructions could be clearer, though, possibly with a diagram to show exactly
where the 'liquid hole' is. Welcome advice about waiting for five minutes,
before loading a tape cassette. Quite good at shifting our experimental grime
deposits. Pricey but an effective choice for badly contaminated machines.
Format VHS-C/S-VHS-C
Cleaning system wet, one-use
Number operations 100
Performance 8
Value for money 7
TDK 8CW-11 £13.99
One of our test machines wasn't very happy
with this one, refusing to play for more than few seconds. Similar system to
TDK's VHS-C wet cleaner but not as effective. Not particularly impressed.
Format 8mm/Hi8
Cleaning system wet, one use
Number operations 100
Performance 5
Value for money 3
VIVANCO VRC 02 £9.99
A remarkably elaborate wet cleaner with an
electronic timing circuit to control the duration of each cleaning cycle. All
the more remarkable considering the complexity of the electronics (two chips a
light-sensor and two LEDs), the comparatively low price, and the fact that it
is a disposable item. Good for stubborn grime. Worth considering.
Format VHS
Cleaning system wet, one-use
Number operations 50
Performance 8
Value for money 9
VIVANCO VRC 07 £7.99
An unusual hybrid wet or dry cleaner spooled
with a non-porous abrasive tape. Well made and easy to use with better than
average cleaning abilities. Worth considering.
Format VHS-C
Cleaning system wet/dry, one-use
Number operations 50
Performance 8
Value for money 8
VIVANCO VRC-08 £7.99
Another combination wet/dry cleaner that
works well on both loose dust and dirt, and more ingrained contamination.
Definitely worth thinking about.
Format 8mm
Cleaning system wet/dry, one-use
Number operations 50
Performance 8
Value for money 8
USEFUL ADDRESSES
ALLSOP.
Path Distribution, Unit 15 Hayward Industrial Park, Tameside Drive,
Castle Bromwich, Birmingham B35 7BR.
Telephone 021-749 2240
BIB AUDIO VIDEO PRODUCTS Kelsey House, Wood
Lane End
Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4RQ. Telephone
(0442) 233233
FUJI PHOTO FILM Fuji House, 125 Finchley
Road, London NW3 6JH.
Telephone 071-586 5900
LINXS Josty Ltd, Perry Avenue, Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby,
Cleveland TS17 9LN. Telephone (0642) 769000
OPTEX
Tasco Sales Unit 1, M40 Ind Park, Loxley Rd, Wellesbourne Warks CU35
9JY. Telephone (0789) 474747
SCOTCH, 3M House, PO Box 1, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1JU.
Telephone (0344) 858000
SIMA Prisma Europe Ltd, Priory House,
Pitsford Street, Birmingham B18 6LX
Telephone 021 554 5540
SONY UK LTD Sony House, South Street,
Staines, Middlesex TW15 4AT.
Telephone (0784) 467000
TDK UK LTD, TDK House, 5-7 Queensway,
Redhill, Surrey RH1 1YB.
Telephone (0737) 773773
VIVANCO Unit C ATA House, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7SS
Telephone (0442) 231616
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R.Maybury 1993 2207
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