[Isetta]

Hello

I have been using my VX2100E Sony for nearly 3 years now and would have done at least 200 hours of video without dramas so far, but would like to clean the heads correctly , I have run a Sony cleaning cassette ( 5 -10 seconds at a time ) on 2 or 3 occasions , I'm wary of using these as I've heard they can be abrasive. Can anyone tell me how to clean the heads properly ? how do you access this area as it is difficult with the door in place . I have tried using isopropal alcohol and a cotton bud, but not a thouough job due to poor access.

Any help appreciated.

[senu]

Used properly, the head cleaners are fine.. Any cleaning they cannot sort.. get professional help..
In a way the difficult access is good as recording heads are very easy to damage .. and cost a bit to replace
It is relatively easy to put some cleaning fluid ( eg alcohol ) on a cotton wool bud , place it on one part of the "drum", then rotate the drum with another bud..(no fingers)..
The limitation of this is that any dirt/dust you are trying to clean may be somewhere else in the mechanism.
Also, even if you do it properly, some solvents can leave a residue which will end up doing more hare than good
Apologies if you already know all this
HTH
BTW I have a VX 2100 too and clean it mainly with head cleaners...sparingly, as well as use a small micro vacuum cleaner to remove dust. or blower to disperse it. works OK..but
I wouldn't hesitate to get it professionally cleaned if I felt It wasn't working

[Isetta]

Hey there , many thanks for the info.

I was a tad reluctant to send the camera away for servicing, as how do I know that they have done a thorough clean without simply running a cleaning tape thru it ! ?

Is there a test to ensure the camera is recording 100% ? Image quality is still sharp under proper lighting .

I have noticed recently that strong reds tend to appear ' pixelated' after capture , when played back , the other colours are fine. What would cause this ?

Thanks.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Isetta

Hey there , many thanks for the info.

I was a tad reluctant to send the camera away for servicing, as how do I know that they have done a thorough clean without simply running a cleaning tape thru it ! ?

No worries
THB if record and playback are "perfect" it is as clean as it will be

Is there a test to ensure the camera is recording 100% ? Image quality is still sharp under proper lighting .

That is the test.. :image quality
Sharp image quality is not something the 2100 lacks. And it doesnt tend to need that much light ( compare to many) to give a good image

I have noticed recently that strong reds tend to appear ' pixelated' after capture , when played back , the other colours are fine. What would cause this ?
Thanks.

Im not sure TBH but I dont think it is related to a dirty or faulty head.. Such a head would not discriminate any colour
At defualt settings Sony Camcorders generally tend to a strong red colour.. It may be possible if you adjust colour in the menu to overcome this