Quote:
Originally Posted by DeeSeven
hi assume running 400 tapes through it will kill it or at least beat it to death.
I always cringe when i ask this but i assume a simple blow from a can-o-air is a big no?
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The camera should be fine. I use one, and never had issue. Decks aren't needed. To be honest, I think decks tend to be worse that cameras for playback.
The can of air works the first few times, about every 10-25 tapes, depending on how aged or dirty the are. After 100 tapes, it mostly needs a shammy/alcohol swipe across the heads and non-greased transport parts. Don't use a cotton Q-tip, but a shammy or "chamois". I actually use DSLR sensor swabs myself. I have lots, because I have multiple DSLRs. Use 90%+ alcohol. Drug stores often carry it, "rubbing" alcohol. Just make sure it's 90% minimum, not 50-70 like the cheaper ones. CVS and Walgreens have it in most locations, in the USA.
Have fun with the project.
At least Hi8/Vdeo8 doesn't have chroma noise. It was a good pre-DV home shooting format. Better than VHS!