Hi8 camcorder cassette tape removal

[techmot]

Hi, does anyone know how to open up and remove the tape inside an Hi8 camcorder tape?. One of the tapes I have the the rear flap on the back of the cassette is broken where one side doesn't click onto the top of the cassette in order for the cassette to load into the camcorder before playing, and some of the tape that is showing is a twisted. I am wondering if it's possible, or rather easy, to take the casing off and take the tape out and replace it with a different cassette, like you can do with a VHS tape. The tapes are so small and there doesn't appear to be in any screws holding it together. Couldn't find anything doing a quick search on youtube.

[creakndale]

Techmot,
This might help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RZZPFWEeIE

creakndale

[BW37]

I found quite a few YouTube videos on this subject searching for “8mm cassette repair”. Video99 and 12voltvids each have a number of videos up showing repairs like this, as well as some others.

They all are working with 8mm cassettes that are assembled with screws. If your cassette really does not have screws holding it together, you may have to get more creative in disassembling it while saving the tape and then you will likely need to transfer the tape to another screw assembly shell to finish the “repair”.

My 2 cents…
BW

[timtape]

I checked the 8mm tapes I have and regardless of brand, Sony, Fuji, Maxell, BASF and some cleaning cassettes, all had the normal four recessed screws underneath. Maybe some cases were plastic welded together but I don't remember noticing any. Which brand is yours? I have some Sony mini DV cassettes which are screw - less but that's about all I've seen. Sometimes a flap can be popped back into place if there's not too much damage. Just be aware that these tapes are very thin and easily damaged. The tape surface shouldn't be touched. Cleanliness is important. A crinkled tape section can cause head clogging which may require manually cleaning the heads and tape path.

[Alwyn]

Oops, wrong tape type.

[techmot]

I checked the 8mm tapes I have and regardless of brand, Sony, Fuji, Maxell, BASF and some cleaning cassettes, all had the normal four recessed screws underneath. Maybe some cases were plastic welded together but I don't remember noticing any. Which brand is yours? I have some Sony mini DV cassettes which are screw - less but that's about all I've seen. Sometimes a flap can be popped back into place if there's not too much damage. Just be aware that these tapes are very thin and easily damaged. The tape surface shouldn't be touched. Cleanliness is important. A crinkled tape section can cause head clogging which may require manually cleaning the heads and tape path.

Thanks for that.

Yeah I think the tape is a Sony. I thought I'd ask on here first before trying it because the tapes are small and I've only done this with a VHS tape, something is pretty easy to take apart and put back together again. They will likely have small screws holding the cassette together. I've tried forcing the tape into the video camera, but it senses that the flap is sticking up slightly so it just ejects the cassette (luckily it doesn't get jammed). Other parts of the tape inside maybe be twisted as well, so it needs taking apart. I've quite a few Hi 8 tapes, all dated to the early 90s, and this is the only one where the back flab has come off at one end and showing part of the tape screwed up.

[techmot]

Techmot,
This might help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RZZPFWEeIE

creakndale

Thanks for that, looks very helpful taking it apart.

[timtape]

Techmot,
This might help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RZZPFWEeIE

creakndale

I have much respect for 12voltvids but I wouldnt want to treat the fragile tapes as he seems to in that clip. The way he handles the tape in that video will likely put fingerprints over the tape surface. The tape manufacturers specifically say to not touch the tape surface. If we have to touch the tape it should be with gloves, or if they are touched the tapes should be cleaned of fingerprints after. But cleaning these fragile tapes has its own risks and can make things worse so best try to avoid contaminating them in the first place IMO.

[techmot]

Late reply here, but does anyone know how to unscrew the screws from an Hi8 tape?. Looking at that video link above it looks easy, but none of the screwdrivers I've used which fit into the screws on the back of the Hi8 tapes will unscrew them. One of the tapes I am trying to play in my old Sony Hi8 camcorder the rear flap won't close back down as it appears to be broken or the hinge has snapped off. The tape that is exposed shows to be twisted, so I'm wanting to unscrew the casing to see if the rest of of the tape is twisted and hopefully fix it and then replace the front casing from another Hi8 cassette (not sure if that will work if as I've done this before with VHS tapes by swapping cassettes over and found that often they don't fit).

[Alwyn]

The Phillips-head screwdriver second from the left (pretty small) of this kit was able to fit into one of my Sony tapes.


[Attachment 87904 - Click to enlarge]

I was able to undo one screw but some serious torque is needed and I was concerned I might wreck the screwdriver.

I think 12voltvids has a special screwdriver there, small but with a large handle.

not sure if that will work if as I've done this before with VHS tapes by swapping cassettes over and found that often they don't fit

For VHS, I just swap the whole shell, top and bottom halves. I've never pulled a Video8 shell apart though.

[techmot]

The Phillips-head screwdriver second from the left (pretty small) of this kit was able to fit into one of my Sony tapes.


[Attachment 87904 - Click to enlarge]

I was able to undo one screw but some serious torque is needed and I was concerned I might wreck the screwdriver.

I think 12voltvids has a special screwdriver there, small but with a large handle.

not sure if that will work if as I've done this before with VHS tapes by swapping cassettes over and found that often they don't fit

For VHS, I just swap the whole shell, top and bottom halves. I've never pulled a Video8 shell apart though.

I had a feeling it wouldn't be easy unscrewing the screws on the back of a Video8 cassette. I've taken apart a few VHS tapes in the past, but getting the tape back around the spools can be tricky, so with a Video8 tape it will be even more of a challenge due to the small size.

[timtape]

I had a feeling it wouldn't be easy unscrewing the screws on the back of a Video8 cassette. I've taken apart a few VHS tapes in the past, but getting the tape back around the spools can be tricky, so with a Video8 tape it will be even more of a challenge due to the small size.

Yes it is trickier than VHS and not to be attempted casually. The manufacturers say never to touch these tapes, including VHS. Even a fingerprint will cause damage. These tapes are very thin and fragile, easily creased and stretched. Small amounts of mold cause much more tape damage than VHS tapes. They're generally safe inside the cassette but vulnerable once the cassette is opened. It's easy to do more harm than good.