Poor output from Sony Video8 handycam

[Dave2352]

I'm trying to capture some old video tapes from a Sony handycam CCD-TR105E to computer using av to USB2.0 device. After cleaning the tape heads I'm getting a good picture on the camcorder viewfinder but a very poor, if any, picture from the av output. The picture is the same on a TV as it is in my capture software, so I don't think its the AV to USB2.0 device at fault. I've searched on Youtube, but can't find any suggestions other than cleaning the tape heads. One thing I did see though is that the capacitors may leak on the electronics as these are 30 years old. Has anyone else got any further suggestions for rescuing these old tapes please? Thoughts?

[timtape]

Yes it's possible the surface mount caps in your Sony are failing or at least some of them are. In those models these caps started failing many years ago as they did in many electronic appliances back then. Possibly some or all of these many caps were replaced at some stage but are now ready to be replaced again. A good tech can often replace them if the rest of the camcorder is sound. The fact that you have a good image in your (black and white?) viewfinder, suggests maybe only the video output stage has faulty caps. The audio too can fail due to failed or failing caps. Unfortunately if left too long the leaked electrolyte from the caps can damage the circuit board which can complicate things.

[Dave2352]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it's a black and white display in the viewfinder. The sound seems ok.