Panasonic AY-DVMCLWW Digital Video Head Cleaner for Optimal Performance

Cat: Just what I needed for my Canon ZR80. It is back in business! I'll mention if there is still trouble with playback, check to see if you're using another brand of DV tape recently. I hit record on a new tape briefly and then popped back in the recorded one that was troubled. It played smoothly after!

United States on Apr 22, 2023

Cliente de Amazon: Gracias a él pude terminar de importar los videos antiguos. Cada video se cuadriculaba y necesitaba pasar el limpiador para poderlo exportar claramente . Un must si estás convirtiendo videos antiguos

Mexico on Feb 08, 2022

L Dent: was able to clean the video so we could view our tapes , we recently lost my husband so it has been good to look at more stories of him and would have been good to be able to write them down also but things happened quickly not enough time but we have him talking so it is awesome

Australia on Nov 28, 2020

Deebz: This head cleaning product is useful for anyone using a vintage Digital Video (DV) camcorder or tape deck. Many of us are transferring DV videos from old tapes to disk files before the lifespan of these tapes runs out. The treasured videos are best transferred using a camera or tape deck that has clean tape heads, and this need is where this product comes in handy.

Before using the camera or deck to playback a DV tape, run this cleaning tape once through the product for ten seconds. Most devices will automatically sense that this is a cleaning tape and only run for ten seconds. Remove the cleaning tape and insert your recorded tape. If the playback produces a clean onscreen picture, then you are ready to import your treasures to your computer.

If the playback still produces black horizontal bars or other noise, then repeat the cleaning process for up to four times, but no more. Always check the playback between cleaning runs so that you don't inadvertently wear down the tape heads.

United States on Oct 11, 2020

E. Nauman: I gave 3 stars for ease of use because there are a few ways this can really mess up your handycam. I tried using it to get a better quality playback on my 20 year old Sony camcorder and it caused the eject to stop working. After some research I believe what happened is if you put a new tape in an old camcorder it can stress small parts in the eject or playback mechanisms and break something. So now my camcorder doesn't work at all. In tiny text it explains you should not play it more than 10 seconds at a time, I followed that procedure because I looked it up, but that should be in very big text!

United States on Jun 08, 2019

Caro: Unfortunately - not being very gadget savvy - this was not the product I thought it was. I wanted a Video Head Cleaner for my VCR Machine. I know it was advertised as a cassette - but I have a case that you can put cassettes into and play in my machine. My fault really because thinking about it VCR machines are not digital and because I had opened the product I didn't feel that I could return it. I will have to have another look as I am desperate to transfer my existing tapes onto DVD's as they contain memories of my late husband and my grand-children growing up and I dare not risk putting them into my Video Recorder without cleaning the heads first. Anyone with any knowledge of doing this I would appreciate your help.

United Kingdom on Nov 20, 2017

Mr. S. Brown: Seems to work.

United Kingdom on Sep 13, 2015

RicProf: In simple words:
1) It took precisely 10 seconds with my camera playing in VCR mode in order to have it back to life. (and product arrived very fast)

NOTE: If you have problems with very small letters I recommend you having magnifying glasses to read the instructions.
To give you an idea of the procedure I have reproduced below the instructions that came with my tape, but be sure to read yours in case there is any update from the manufacturer.
.....
The Panasonic AY-DVMCLA is a high performance cleaning cassette tape designed to clean heads in just 10 seconds.
Instructions:
CAUTION - to avoid misuse and possible video head damage please read carefully. Do not use cleaning tape more often than necessary. Frequent use may cause head damage. This tape can not be used for recording and playback.
For cleaning only.
• Prior to use, play another video tape to see that the problem does not lie in the tape.
• Also, make sure tracking control is properly adjusted.
• Play the cleaning tape for 10 seconds only. Check result by playing a prerecorded tape.
• If picture is still unclear, try again. DO NOT USE MORE THAN 3 CONSECUTIVE TIMES.
•...

United States on Mar 25, 2015

Dean: You just insert this item into your camera and run it for 10 seconds. It is very clear: only do it for 10 seconds, maybe do it twice, but stop there. I guess it's abrasive and prolonged use could ruin the heads.

Well, I didn't have my glasses on, and ran the thing for 10 seconds, then removed it and inserted the normal tape. But I got distracted or something, and stuck the cleaner back in the camera and played it for a couple of minutes before I figured out what was going on. The camera seems to be working OK for now but I really thought I had ruined it.

This product's case should be the same bright orange that's on a cop's traffic vest, with "HEAD CLEANER" written in big letters all over it. Apart from that, the product did fix my camera and I was pleased with it.

United States on Nov 20, 2006