Hi all

I have been shooting and editing for a couple of years with my Canon MV4i.
Recently the camera has caught a few tapes causing that bit of footage to
become ruined when playing back tapes. This has not yet happened when
recording.

I immediately bought a head cleaner (20 quid !) and used it for the 10
seconds that the instruction manual indicated.

This worked fine for a while but after a couple more tapes worth of shooting
the playback problem returned.

I stick to one brand of tape manufacturer (Panasonic DVC90s) as switching to
lots of tapes is not recommended.

I have the option to return the camera to Canon as I have an extended
warranty, but I don't want to just go around the loop of me saying it chews
tapes and them saying it dodnt chew any when they tested it blah blah....

Any suggestions ?

Many thanks

In message , John
Makin writes
I stick to one brand of tape manufacturer (Panasonic DVC90s) as
switching to lots of tapes is not recommended.

Hasn't it occurred to you to ask yourself why Panasonic tapes are so
cheap? They're the cheapest you can buy. And you do get what you pay
for.

I've been using Sony Premium and Sony Excellence exclusively on my quite
heavily used Sony TRV30 for more than two years now. I've never had
cause to use a head cleaner, and the heads/transport mechanism are as
clean, shiny and bright as the day I bought the camcorder.

Have a look at the drive/idler wheels in the tape enclosure (you'll need
a small bright torch) and see if the wheels/posts have a coating on
them. Head cleaners only clean the head and not the drive mechanism.
--
Tony Morgan
http://www.camcord.info
http://www.rhylonline.com