A Tape is Stuck in My Sony Hi8 Digital Handycam

Before Sony Handicams moved onto digital hard drives, SD cards and miniDV tapes, the default recording method was a Hi8 tape. This is an analog based, 8mm video tape, similar in size to an audio cassette tape. A tape might become stuck in the Sony Handycam. Inspect the issue to determine what is preventing the tape from ejecting.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Tweezers

Instructions

1. Charge the Sony Handycam battery fully or connect the camera to an electrical outlet. If the camera's battery is beginning to fail, the tape might not eject properly.

2. Set the Sony Handycam to "View" mode, then press the "Eject" button. Wait a few moments for the tape deck to open. Sometimes, the tape does not eject when the camera is in "Record" mode.

3. Remove your hand from around the tape deck. If you are holding the camera and press "Eject," the tape deck can't open because your hand is covering the deck.

4. Open the tape deck and look over the Hi8 tape. If tape running out of the cassette -- if it is stuck inside the camera -- you must cut the tape with the scissors. This allows you to pull the debris from the deck. If you notice the tape is only caught on a spindle, you can remove the tape without cutting it using tweezers.

References

• Sony Style: Hi8 Camera Information