Trouble with a Panasonic NVM3 VHS camcorder

[Knocknock]

Hello,

I recently purchased a vintage camcorder from the 1980s, a Panasonic NV-M3 VHS Movie Autofocus. The seller told me it was in working condition but hadn't been used in a long time.

I bought some new VHS tapes for the occasion. The camcorder turns on, the screen lights up, and the buttons on the screen work, as do the autofocus and zoom.

What doesn’t work is the battery, which is probably dead since it’s 40 years old. But I managed to power the camcorder using an AC adapter.

When I received it, the camcorder was empty—no VHS tape inside. So I opened the cassette compartment to insert a new one, and since I did that, the tape has spun a little, but now I can’t get it out using the EJECT button.

When I turn on the camcorder, the PLAY and REC buttons light up and then turn off after 5 seconds. And if I press the EJECT button during that time, the buttons turn off instantly. However, the screen stays on, and the zoom, focus, white balance, and screen buttons remain functional.

I tried opening it to remove the cassette manually, but I’m afraid of breaking something given how complex the machine is. I searched online for solutions but couldn’t find anything.

I don't know if it's a problem with the tape or maybe the battery, since the camcorder only works when plugged in. And repairing the battery is a whole other story: since it's no longer manufactured, I have to repair it myself by replacing the cells.

I hope someone has some information or solutions—I’m open to anything. I’m pretty sure it’s just a simple safety feature on the camcorder.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[VWestlife]

I hope you didn't pay a lot for it. It's best kept as a non-functional prop.

[Knocknock]

i pay 50 euros for it