Panasonic SV-3800 Operating Instructions Manual page 38

E-38
Maintenance
To clean this unit, use a soft, dry cloth. If the surfaces are extremely dirty, use a soft cloth, dipped into a soap-
and-water solution or a weak detergent solution. Wring the cloth well before wiping the unit. Wipe once again
with a soft, dry cloth. Never use alcohol, paint thinner, benzine, nor a chemically treated cloth to clean this unit.
Such chemicals may damage the finish of your unit.
Importance of cleaning DAT heads
As with any tape-based recorder, it is essential that the SV-3800 Pro-DAT's heads are kept perfectly
clean. A Panasonic DAT Head Cleaning Tape (part number RT-RCLP, optional) is available for your local dealer .
that automatically removes the dirt, dust and shed tape particles that gradually build up on the DAT heads.
But how do you know that the heads need cleaning? In extreme conditions the audio output will mute, but long
before that happens, the slow build up of dirt and oxide will "mask" the sound, and diminish the full 16-bit audio
quality from this DAT machine-by causing record as well as replay errors.
An ideal solution is to make yourself a "DAT Test Tape" whose error rate you can monitor on a daily or weekly
basis (depending on how often you use the SV-3800). To prepare a Test Tape, first select a high-quality DAT
cassette and then record a series of music selections. Rewind the DAT cassette and monitor the Error Rates
during the first several minutes of tape.
Panasonic brand DAT tapes use high-quality formulations, binders, backings and calendaring process, to
provide minimum abrasiveness with maximum stability of metal particles on the tape. It is specifically designed
to maximize head life of your DAT machine.
Check the Error Rates at several points in the tape and average the values. (On how to display error rates on the
SV-3800, see page E-29.) If the Error Rates increase to around 300, a Panasonic Head Cleaning Tape can be used
as follows: Play the cleaning tape through the SV-3800 for approximately 15-20 seconds, and remove it. DO NOT
REWIND the cleaning tape, since this action might very well spread previously removed dirt and dust onto an
otherwise clean head and transport. After the Head Cleaning Tape has been used up, dispose of it properly and
start to use a new one.
If the DAT heads become very contaminated with dirt and dust, the CLEANING indicator within the display
panel will flash. In this case, use a Head Cleaning Tape as described above.
e If playback quality improves after cleaning, but then deteriorates immediately after recording or playing
back several times, the cassette tape has probably reached its useful lifetime. In this case, use a new tape.
* Ifsound quality does not improve even after cleaning, consult your dealer.
¢ Cleaning tapes cannot be used for recording or playback (be sure to read also the operating instructions
supplied with the tape).