Video Asylum

Posted by Beatlephile (A) on January 18, 2004 at 14:19:31

I have a Sony CCD-TR5 that I bought back in 1990 and I have used it all the way up until about four years ago. I have made a ton of 8mm tapes with it and it has been great. Lately I have bought a bunch of DVD recording equipment including a DVD Handycam to replace the TR5. However, I wanted to trasfer all my old 8mm tapes to DVD, so I hooked up my old TR5 to my PC's T.V./Video Tuner and the video was fine but the audio was horrible. It comming in then dropping out then comming in, like flicking on and off. The thing is it worked fine about two months ago. I haven't stored it any differently or anything, or played it since then.

Anyway I have cleaned the heads with a wet 8mm head cleaner and it got a little better, but still is in and out. Video is fine but a little darker than usual. Could anybody tell what might be wrong and what kind of repair costs or we talking about if needed?

I also have a Memorex Model 800 8mm VCR deck, it worked until about a year ago, and now it won't load a tape. I put the tape in it and it goes down but then comes back up and ejects, it won't keep the tape in there. What could be wrong here and would I be better off getting this repaired, can I repair it myself? Thanks