I own the Canon ZR90 miniDV camcorder. It simply won't playback any of the cassettes. I've used the cleaning tape, thinking it might be dirty, but it's still not working.

The most common cause of horizontal lines during playback is dirty heads/tape path. If you have a head cleaner tape, try playing it for about 5 to 10 seconds and then try your tape again. Repeat as necessary. Try not to run the head cleaner for long periods of time because you may wear down your heads quicker (cleaning cassette is somewhat abrasive). If you do not own a head cleaning tape, I highly recommend purchasing one. Sony (in my opinion) makes the best miniDV head cleaning cassette. We use this brand in our repair shop and they last for years. I have posted a link to the particular tape I am speaking of. Your local camera/camcorder shop may have these for sale.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DVM12CLD-MiniDV-Cleaning-Cassette/dp/B0000632H7

Hope this helps you.
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Hi there,

Firstly, I must explain how the MiniDV system works:

Although this may sound illogical, MiniDV camcorder heads do actually use a type of lubrication cassette system and there are 2 types:

- DRY lubrication (Canon, Panasonic, JVC etc)
- WET lubrication (Sony)

Now, if you haven't noticed already from the above 2 types, you are in fact using the WRONG type of cassette on your camcorder.

Although Sony cassettes are often readily available (and often perceived to be the best quality), by using Sony cassettes on a Canon camcorder (or Pana, JVC for that matter), you are in fact causing premature wear on the heads. So, the condition you are describing as 'dirty' heads, is in fact caused by the use of the wrong (wet type) cassettes on your DRY type camcorder.

Using "WET" type cassettes on a DRY system camcorder, can often leave residue on your heads, or worse....cause wear. The same principle applies to Sony camcorders - use only Sony 'WET' type cassettes, not Dry cassettes.

This also applies when using HEAD CLEANER cassettes - as indicated, you have used a Sony Head Cleaner cassette (this is a WET type cassette), when in fact, you should be using a DRY HEAD CLEANER cassette (Pana, Canon etc).

CAUTION: when using a head cleaner cassette, only playback the cassette for no more than 6 sec's at a time (anymore will damage the heads).

Summary:

For your Canon camcorder, use only DRY MiniDV cassettes (Pana offer cassettes from Studio, Professional to Master Quality), including DRY Head Cleaner cassette. This should improve the playback quality from your camcorder.

Hi,
Its sign of clogged/ dirty video head in your camcorder, put Video Head Cleaning tape in camcorder to clean video heads, problem will be solved.
MiniDV Video Head Cleaning Tape is available in stores.
Thanks.

Transfer images effortlessly
The ZR90 expands video possibilities with a built-in slot for an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card or a MultiMediaCard, in addition to the MiniDV cassette. That means you can easily transfer digital photos to your PC straight from the camcorder using the supplied USB cable or IEEE1394.
DV Terminal
The IEEE1394-compliant DV terminal also lets you connect the ZR90 to a DV-compatible computer or another Canon DV camcorder. That means you can easily transfer your digital movies to your computer's hard disk, edit your scenes, and then use them to create high impact Web sites, video e-mail, interactive CDs and DVDs, or a personal video album.

Hi there,

I've just posted this solution to another user:

This is likely to be your heads, but you need to be made aware of the following:

1) MiniDV cassette

The quality of your cassettes should first be considered:

Panasonic, Canon and several other brands use what is called "Dry Lubricant" cassettes. For this reason, you should AVOID at all costs, any cassette made from a manufacturer whose cameras use Wet Lubricant type cassettes. Unfortunately, this means you should AVOID SONY cassettes (as Sony cameras use the WET lubricant system).

Dry type cassettes also cause less wear on your heads.

I would highly recommend you use only Panasonic PQ (Professional), SQ (Studio) or MQ (Master) quality cassettes.

(PS: I use these Dry type cassettes on my Canon Pro Camera)


2) Camera HEADS

As stated in above (re the cassettes), if you have inadvertantly used a WET type cassette in your camera (i.e. Sony or similar), have been using old cassettes or debris/dust has entered the compartment, then there is a high probability that some microscopic contaminants may have fouled your heads.

If so, your heads will require cleaning.

The good news is, Panasonic have a MiniDV Head Cleaning cassette (DVMCLA) which can be purchased for around $8 - $15. (try Amazon.com).

If you choose to use this cleaning cassette, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you only run the cassette for a max. of 5 seconds ONLY, for each clean (and no more than 10secs, as using this cassette longer than stated, can cause wear). Then, try playback of your old cassettes to look for improvement. Cleaning is only necessary, if you experience drop outs on dry type cassettes, or pixelating of picture playback.

If this head cleaning process does not resolve your problem, then you will require professional assessment.


Good Luck !




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This may be corrected by fast-forwarding the tape for a few seconds and then rewinding it back to the point where the issue first started. However, if the issue continues, this could be a sign that the video heads are dirty and need to be cleaned. Use a Sony MiniDV head-cleaning cassette (DVM-12CLD) to clean the video heads.
If the movie continues to stop at the same point even after cleaning the video heads, this could be an indication that there is a problem with the recording on the cassette tape. If this is the case, the data on that portion of the tape cannot be recovered.
NOTES:

• It is recommended that a high-quality Sony MiniDV tape be used for recording.

This may be corrected by fast-forwarding the tape for a few seconds and then rewinding it back to the point where the issue first started. However, if the issue continues, this could be a sign that the video heads are dirty and need to be cleaned. Use a Sony MiniDV head-cleaning cassette (DVM-12CLD) to clean the video heads.
If the movie continues to stop at the same point even after cleaning the video heads, this could be an indication that there is a problem with the recording on the cassette tape. If this is the case, the data on that portion of the tape cannot be recovered.

It is recommended that a high-quality Sony MiniDV tape be used for recording.

It is very common when the magnetic heads got dirty. Buy a Mini DV cleaning tape, follow the instruction clean the heads by playing the cleaning tape for a while. Record NEW video and playback to test.
Please know if you play the old video recorded buy the dirty heads, you may not get clear picture, because here is not correct data recorded on the tape.

Hello,

Sorry about delayed reply as I just saw it.

Its known problem of ccd imager in Canon ZR85 camcorder and ccd imager needs to be replaced.

Canon will repair your camcorder free of cost as per announced scheme for ccd imager issue.

Click Canon CCD Advisory for details, how to get free repair.

Regarding can't see picture or time code in playback, it is problem of dirty / clogged video heads. Use good quality video head cleaning cassette to clean heads and hope camera will show playback picture.

Good luck.