Chapter 5 Maintenance 65
Chapter 5 Maintenance
Every 50 hours
If you repeat the tape transport operation, the video
heads will become dirty and coated with fine dirt or
dust. Clean the heads every 50 hours.
After using a tape prone to clog the heads
After using such a tape causes the symptoms
illustrated below, clean the heads.
When the symptoms caused by clogged video
heads appear
Even if you clean the heads periodically, clogging of
the heads may occur anyway. Clean the heads when:
•mosaic-pattern noise appears on the playback picture.
• the playback picture freezes.
•a part of the playback picture does not move.
• playback pictures do not appear.
• playback audio is interrupted.
•“x
Dirty video head. Use a cleaning cassette.”
will appear during recording.
To use the cleaning cassette
Clean the video head by playing the cleaning cassette
for ten seconds.
* If the playback image continues to be stationary or
any of the symptoms on the above remain even after
cleaning with the cleaning cassette, there may be a
problem with the tape.
Avoid using that tape.
For details, refer to your cleaning cassette’s instruction
manual.
Note
Using the unit as below will make the video head dirty.
– Subjecting the unit to temperature change or high
humidity.
t Condensation occurs. See page 66.
–Using a damaged tape.
–Using the unit for a long time.
–Using the unit where there is a lot of dirt, dust or
sand.
– Leaving a tape in the unit for a long time.
Cleaning cassettes are replaceable. After using the
supplied cleaning cassette for the specified number of
times, buy a cleaning cassette for replacement.
After prolonged use, the video heads may become
worn out. If optimum picture quality is not restored
even after you have cleaned the video heads with the
cleaning cassette, the video heads may have worn out.
In that case, you have to replace the video heads with
new ones. Please consult your Sony dealer.
Notes on the Video Cassettes
Note that using a tape such as those below can damage
the unit.
Using cassettes
•
When using a cassette for the first time we
recommend that you run the tape for about five
seconds before recording.
•When using a cassette that has been stored for a long
time we recommend that you fast-forward and rewind
it for some time. This will correct any winding
irregularity in the cassette.
•Do not repeatedly insert and remove a cassette
without running it. The tape may become slacked or
damaged.
Image when the video head is dirty
Normal image
With a DV/DVCAM
Playback image
disappears
With an HDV
Playback
image pauses
Playback image
disappears
A moldy
tape
A dirty
tape
A spliced
tape
A tape that
has been
dismantled
A slack
tape
A tape with
a peeling
label
(Continued)