MiniDV Camera - How to access heads for cleaning?

From: Corey J. Motel (cmotel_at_ameritech.net)
Date: 06/29/04 

Date: 28 Jun 2004 21:55:23 -0700

Hello:

I have a Panasonic PV-DV102 MiniDV camera and wish to gain access to
the heads for cleaning.

How is it opened up for such service?

I can easily remove the cover opposite the tape compartment, but this
gets me nowhere. The cover/bezel on the tape compartment side doesn't
budge when I remove its screws.

It almost appears that the plastic tape compartment door can be
unfastened from its metal frame by bending two plastic ears out of the
way of pins in the frame, however I'm really reluctant to do this for
feat of cracking them. If this were possible though, it looks as
thought the plastic door would then lay down in such a way as to
provide full access.

I've easily gotten to the heads on numerous VCRs and even my old VHS
camera, however this one has me stumped.

Thanks for your assistance.

Regards,

Corey J. Motel