PXL noise

["[r.mci] / [blue]" <roland.mcintosh@oberlin.edu>]

some time ago I acquired a PXL, and thanks to a fast answer from the list I

bought the required game switch needed to view the videos.  The first tape I

shot was almost unwatchable - there was conostant visual noise (snow)

throughout.  I also shot much of it in low light, and I guess the PXL

doesn't like that.. ;(



Anyway, I chalked this disappointing performance up to the tape I used - the

Fisher Price cassette which came with the camera.



So a few days later I popped in a new Maxell XL-II 100.  Same performance.

The first side was shot in the evening and night, and is nearly entirely

black.  The second side I shot the next day, in sunlight, and there are at

least images.  But still so much noise that it's not really interesting.

There did seem to be less noise when the picture was recorded outside and

there was an actual image.



So, the question:  can I get rid of this, or is this one of the exalted

features of the PXL?  I can barely make anything out!  I'm wondering if

dirty tape heads might be a factor, and if so, can I use a standard cleaning

cassette, or should I swab them with alcohol?



Any and all advice/recommendations appreciated.



-roland