JVC GY-DV550U Routine and Periodical Maintenance, Precautions for Use of Head Cleaning Tape

1. INTRODUCTION

1-3 Routine and Periodical Maintenance

The GY-DV550 incorporates precision mechanical parts, which will collect dirt, wear out and deteriorate as the unit is used. On the other hand, when the unit has been used for a long period in a normal environment, the heads, drums and tape transport mechanisms also collect dirt deposited on them. Furthermore, dust which penetrates the inside of the VCR section especially during outdoor use will promote the wear and deterioration of mechanical parts by causing poor contact between tape and heads or failing to maintain the video and audio quality at high levels. To prevent wear and deterioration, clean the mechanical parts using a head cleaning tape as routine maintenance. However, cleaning with a head cleaning tape alone is not enough for cleaning the entire tape transport mechanism, it is also recommended to apply periodical maintenance (inspection) to prevent troubles that may be caused by the sudden occurrence of failure. As the replacement, adjustment and servicing of parts require advanced skill and equipment, please consult the person in charge of professional video equipment at your nearest JVC-authorized service agent.

Head Cleaning

●To maintain beautiful pictures and sound, be sure to use a head cleaning tape to clean the head periodically. (Read the “Precautions for Use of Head Cleaning Tape” on page 8.) If head cleaning is not performed periodically, a type of mosaic noise called block noise may appear in the picture or sound may be interrupted.

Block Noise

Periodical Maintenance

Contents : Check or replace the following mechanical parts according to the running time.

Running Time	500H	1000 H	1500H	2000H
Drum ass’y (including heads)				
Head cleaner				
Tape guides & rollers				
Rotary encoder	–		–	
Belts & gears				
Drive parts				

: Clean, check and adjust.

: Clean and check. Replace as required.

: Replace.

●Use the provided head cleaning tape. Do not use head cleaning tapes other than specified. For instructions on how to use the head cleaning tape and precautions for its use, read the “Precautions for Use of Head Cleaning Tape” on page 8.

●When dirt adheres to the heads of the GY-DV550, the following indications appear during playback and recording check using the RET button on the lens section.

•“RF” appears on the display panel.

•“HEAD CLOG” appears on the counter display.

•“VTR WARNING (HEAD)” appears in the viewfinder.

●If this kind of indication appears, please stop the recording. Head cleaning is required. This indicator disappears when the OPERATE is turned OFF, or when the cleaning tape is played back.

"RF" indicator

CH 1				OVER
	40 30 20 10 0 dB				RF
CH 2				OVER
32k			48k
AUD LOCK		SP

MENU

"HEAD CLOG" indicator

•The maintenance contents vary depending on the operating environment and method. Therefore, the above data should be considered as a reference.

Time management

The accumulated running time of the unit can be confirmed with the hour meter display (which shows the accumulated drum running time). For details, see "HOUR METER DISPLAY" on page 102.

For consultations related to the maintenance programming or cost, please contact the person in charge of professional video equipment at your nearest JVC-authorized service agent.

1-4 Precautions for Use of Head Cleaning Tape

Adhere to the following precautions when using the head cleaning tape.

1.The tape runs for 10 seconds at a time in the PLAY mode. (The tape stops automatically and then the unit enters the SAVE MODE. However, the display back light is not turned off.) Press the PLAY button after the cleaning tape is fully loaded.

2.Do not use the tape more than four times at the most for each cleaning.

3.The cleaning tape can be used approximately 100 times.

■Use the following chart as a guide for periodical head cleaning.

Operating	Low temperature	Room temperature	High temperature
environment	0˚C to 10˚C	10˚C to 35˚C	35˚C to 40˚C
Yardstick for use	1 to 2 times	1 to 2 times	1 to 2 times
of cleaning tape	every 5 hours	every 20 to 30 hours	every 5 hours

Note 1) When used in a low humidity environment (10% RH to 30% RH), head cleaning should be conducted at intervals half of those given in the above chart.

Note 2) If an ME80 tape is used immediately after head cleaning, the VTR warning (head) indicator may remain on. In this case, let the tape run as the indicator will turn off after the tape has run for a while.

Note 3) Use the cleaning tape in the room temperature (10˚C to 35˚C).

Note 4) The cleaning tape case contains instructions for use of the cleaning tape. However, some of these instructions differ from the contents of this sheet. When using the cleaning tape, please follow the instructions of this sheet.

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