On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 10:16:45 -0500, "Thumper Strauss" wrote:

>1/ What kind of camcorder do you use?
>2/ About how many hours or recording/playback have you done?
>3/ Which tapes are you using? Sony Premium? Pansonic Linear Plus?
>4/ Do you do regular tape head cleanings? If so, will which product?

So, are you, or are you not, having problems (having
mixed Sony and Panasonic tapes) with increased
dropout??? If not, don't worry about the above; if
so, do... (though there appears to be little problem
with mixing tape types within a brand, or with particular
brands on particular camcorder models). Regular (as in
"often") head-cleanings are unwise due to excessive wear,
but some recommend one or two 5-second passes with a
cleaning tape every 20-30 hours of use; others only when
there is a problem). If you use mostly Panasonic tape,
use a Panasonic head cleaning tape, Sony for Sony...