Hi I notice in my manual it advises to use a dry head tape cleaner when the heads need cleaning in the camcorder.I have also read that this can damage the tape heads.Can anyone advise me on this please any info would be much appreciated. Dave.

Don't use a dry head cleaner.. It's too abrasive.

Use a head cleaner with soft pads and some alcohol.

Or use cotton bud stick thingies with alcohol.

Also good to demagitize the heads at the same time. There are de-magnetizer tapes available. They look like a normal tape, but have a battery and a couple of metal pads that wiggle near the heads (they don't touch the heads though)

Thanks for that Nathan. So if I use say methalated spirits and cotton wool buds that will be OK Then de-magnetise. Cheers Dave.

[Duster]

Hi,
I wouldnt use methalated spirits if I was you, as it's coloured, and it may leave a coating on the heads. Ask nathan_silly
what he uses.

I use a dry tape cleaner, and have never had any problems, I just use it when its needed and no more. Your right, they are abrasive. I only use the tape for 5 secs at a time.

Read this link to tell you about tapes & cleaning.

http://www.dvfreak.com/tape.htm

Isopropyl Alcohol, or CD cleaner solution will be fine.

Thanks for that Nathan and Duster Cheers Dave.