How to clean and demagnetize the VCR heads?

El Enmascarado · 18th December 2006, 21:04

I was given this advice by an unknown member of a remote forum that I need to do this to view dvd-like quality sharpness on my old vhs tapes that I need to transfer to DV for storage.

What would you recommend me to do this on a hi8, s-vhs camcorder and s-vhs VCR.

I also want to know if is better to use a wet or dry cleaning head kit

jel · 19th December 2006, 07:33

i usually use isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds to clean the heads on my vcr by removing the case cover i get easy access to the heads.

as far as de-magnetizing heads .. sorry never tried that with a vcr. maybe this link can help?
http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03...ers-and-heads/

El Enmascarado · 19th December 2006, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by jel

i usually use isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds to clean the heads on my vcr by removing the case cover i get easy access to the heads.

as far as de-magnetizing heads .. sorry never tried that with a vcr. maybe this link can help?
http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03...ers-and-heads/

I'll test on a broken vcr I stored for good.
About the isopropyl alcohol do I buy it in towel version?

unmei · 19th December 2006, 16:35

Oh nice. We used to use that as well, but it sounds so "unprofessional" that i thought i couldn't answer with that

And El, no, here we used it out of the bottle simply wettening the cotton bud with it.

Arachnotron · 20th December 2006, 23:04

Believe it or not, there are still books on VCR maintanance in print. A bit overkill if you just want to clean the heads, but very informative if you want to know what makes these things tick.

18th December 2006, 21:04	#1 \| Link
El Enmascarado Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Home Posts: 84	How to clean and demagnetize the VCR heads? I was given this advice by an unknown member of a remote forum that I need to do this to view dvd-like quality sharpness on my old vhs tapes that I need to transfer to DV for storage. What would you recommend me to do this on a hi8, s-vhs camcorder and s-vhs VCR. I also want to know if is better to use a wet or dry cleaning head kit __________________ Grim Fandango The Best Adventure Game of 98' Last edited by El Enmascarado; 18th December 2006 at 21:08.

19th December 2006, 16:35	#4 \| Link
unmei frying subs Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ch-2500 Posts: 891	Oh nice. We used to use that as well, but it sounds so "unprofessional" that i thought i couldn't answer with that And El, no, here we used it out of the bottle simply wettening the cotton bud with it. __________________ -nyo

19th December 2006, 07:33	#2 \| Link
jel Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: city of churches Posts: 1,414	i usually use isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds to clean the heads on my vcr by removing the case cover i get easy access to the heads. as far as de-magnetizing heads .. sorry never tried that with a vcr. maybe this link can help? http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03...ers-and-heads/

20th December 2006, 23:04	#5 \| Link
Arachnotron Alias fragger Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 863	Believe it or not, there are still books on VCR maintanance in print. A bit overkill if you just want to clean the heads, but very informative if you want to know what makes these things tick.