Sony TRV-11e Mini DV camcorder head clean

I couldn't find any data on how to clean the heads of my Sony TRV-11e Mini DV camcorder, so this was my attempt. Tips and tricks, let the heads dry, don't use too much isopropyl alcohol. Be aware that stretched tapes are almost impossible to recover, and use the camera used for the original recording to transfer tapes if possible... good luck.

[@bander1023]

I'm currently doing the same kind of mini-DV tape transfer job, and I've run into the same issues with the player head. I really appreciate you trailblazing the cleaning process and taking the time to make this video. :)

[@pescado99]

Just glad I ripped mine to digital before it was too late

Thank you very much, sir. Memories are being brought back.

[@insertnamehere4921]

Thanks for this video.. I’ve also joined the wagon to resurrect my mums almost 20 year old JVC grd340ek. Same thing, audio jolting. We’ve got old dv tapes from when we went to Florida back in 07. I’m dreading seeing myself from back then! 😂

[@bobbyhalick]

This is exactly the video I needed thank you

[@JonnyDIY]

Awesome thanks for sharing! I enjoyed the clips from your trip as well. Found my old JVC mini dv camera in storage. Wanted to see what footage I have but camera alerting me to clean the heads

[@pescado99]

No problemo. I still have 5 x mini DV taps from a Europe trip in 2000 to edit! At least they were ripped to AVI before the tapes died.

[@reidprice6008]

Thanks for this. I'm home for the holidays and trying to get an old sony Sony video 8 Handycam model CCD TR 21 working for tv playback. Audio works but display does not. In the view finder and on the tv the video does not display EXCEPT while you fast forward or rewind the video. Once I press play video image goes away after a second. Does it need a cleaning? Any thoughts?

[@thinkjon]

Thanks for the video! Just to be clear, you cleaned the head 3 TIMES, each time allowing the head to dry. After the 3rd cleaning it fix the playback and you were able to recover all the audio that was previously not working. Is this correct? Another question, has anyone experienced the device to start eating the tapes? Do you know if cleaning the head solved the problem? I figured if the head was really dirty, tapes would stick a little and bunch up and not play back correctly hence the eating of tapes. You mentioned "stretched tapes" will not play correctly in your description. I guessing, since the head needs the full width of the tape it will not play. What happens with stretched tapes? Anyone who can help please leave your feedback. I have some footage on Mini DV tapes I like to digitize and edit. I may have to buy an old camcorder on ebay if I can't fix the one I have. Thanks in advance for your help : )

[@pescado99]

Yes, heads were allowed to dry, and 100% isopropyl alcohol was used - very sparingly though. Avoid cotton buds (cue-tips), they shed. Yes, marked improvement after 3 x attempts. Not perfect, and still some jitter, but recoverable. I didn't do it any more than that because the cleaning tapes are abrasive. The comments on stretched tapes were based on anecdotal comments from a photographer friend many years ago. Analogue (e.g. Hi8 and VHS-C) has some leeway, but digital not so. I think the issue with eating tapes is from roller and pinch wheels grabbing them, or being out of alignment (I wouldn't touch the alignment myself). Always best to fast-forward all the way to the end, and then back to the start again, this should remove slack spots in the tape. Cheers

[@michaelpastras]

you tried to fix the AUDIO dropouts by cleaning the VIDEO and not the audio head

[@R2D2inAustralia]

Thanks for posting. Unfortunately i have gone through two cameras before discovering some tapes have a fine mold film….. guaranteed to kill every camera. Lesson to be learnt - never borrow or lend cameras or tapes….. so …. Anyone know if it’s possible to clean tapes ?

[@pescado99]

I don't think so. I know sunlight (UV) kills mould, as would a mild ammonia solution. I'd try the sunlight first! You can open the tapes up and expose them to sun and air if you're handy and careful. Good luck

[@Raptor50aus]

Piece of paper and Iso is the best. Remove the cover to see the head drum.

[@ronniefairbanks1378]

Do you happen to have the brand of swab things you used? Those ones looks better than the ones I found!

[@pescado99]

They were Jianisi CCD swabs, designed for digital SLR sensors. Cheers

[@wyberood5397]

which cleaning tape did you use?

[@pescado99]

Panasonic.

[@theavastark6463]

My mini dv seems to not play tapes nomore I put a bad tape in it not knowing it was bad, idk whats wrong since everything else works, I used Qtips and that alcohol to clean the head, but.. Yeah just found out that was bad, camera was working just fine earlier that day, any advice?

[@pescado99]

I would try some high quality swaps to remove the remnants of the Q-tips with some IPA. Make sure everything is clean and dry.. Good luck

[@RetroShare2]

You could also clean the tapes.

[@pescado99]

Hadn't even thought of that. Nice idea.

[@wyberood5397]

how?

[@kidssnyder9680]

How

[@svvdm]

do you mind telling me how to digitise the films?

[@pescado99]

Most miniDV cameras have a firewire connection (also called IEEE 1394). You need a firewire card in your PC (or laptop), and software to import it. Most video editing has DV capture, such as Pinnacle, Premier, PowerDirector etc. Firewire allows stop and start of eh camera's controls once plugged in (i.e. the PC software controls the camera).

[@sonalbhagat5571]

Sq