Hi-8 tape that won't rewind

[thecoalman]

Gets about half way and it won't go any farther. I can FF from that point but if I rewind again it appears it gets stuck at the same point again... There appears to be some damage where to the tape where it gets stuck, any suggestions? Take it apart?

[SingSing]

There is most likely a spot of glue on that section of the tape. Need to take it a part and fixed it.

[thecoalman]

Glue? May I ask how glue would get there? Just from sitting maybe? I really have no idea what the storage method was for this tape but knowing the person probably not that great.

[jlietz]

Can you be more descriptive? Can you see any visual blemishes on the tape at the point it is getting stuck (you will probably have to open the shell to see this)? Has the tape been stored in a humid environment (basement or perhaps even a humid climate, like Florida...)? Can you post a picture?

If I had to guess (and it is a guess without seeing it...), I would guess that the tape has become damaged to possible high humidity and could even have some mold damage. I have seen several Hi8 tapes that have been affected in this way. Typically, the bottom of a particular section of tape gets stuck to the top of the tape section it is laying on as it is wound around around the reel. If one were to try seperating the layers by gently (very gently) manipulating with precision tools such as a flat screwdriver and pliers, the area can sometimes be "unstuck". However, more often than not, once you have the area unstuck and attempt to manually advance the reels, another stuck tape section a little furthr down the line appears. Continuing to do this can result in the tape beginning to tear in the parallel direction of the tape (that is, it can tear down the middle, long ways, instead of across the tape), which just results in a big mess and a runied section of tape. So, in other words, if this is the problem and you can get the first section "unstuck" and there are no more, great. But if there are more sections like the one in question, forget about it and send it to a professional restoration service like Video Interchange (http://www.videointerchange.com).

Hope that helps.

[mikel]

Years ago, I had a similar problem with an old vhs tape.
For a while...it drove me nuts.

It turned out that a bit of the oxide had flaked off,
and the optical sensor that identifies the end-of-tape clear leader
had triggered. It thought it was at the end of the tape.

Maybe something similar has happened?

[thecoalman]

Years ago, I had a similar problem with an old vhs tape.
For a while...it drove me nuts.

It turned out that a bit of the oxide had flaked off,
and the optical sensor that identifies the end-of-tape clear leader
had triggered. It thought it was at the end of the tape.

Maybe something similar has happened?

Now that sounds more like what is happening, and yes where it's getting stuck you can see physical damage to the tape. Nothing on the edges but there's a V pattern going through the middle. The V pattern is only at this point. the rest of the tape plays fine and rewids fine too... it just gets to that same point and gets stuck.

Again as far as storage method I have no idea. For all I know it was baking in the sun... I'm going to take it apart and see if I can find anything.

[mikel]

thecoalman,

If that is the problem....I was able to get my tape to play by
using a black marker pen on the backside of the tape (not the oxide side).
...not a permanent fix, but it may get it through a couple of times.

[handyguy]

Try winding it by hand through that point.

[jlietz]

Been a week or more...Just curious if you found anything out...

[ZAPPER]

Razor blade and splice tape. Oh wait, thats the Zapper way. Maybe copy both halves to and from the bad spot and edit back together on another tape or media. (Yeah, that's the ticket)

Sorry, but my guess is that the bad spot has made the data unreadable anyways, so a split second flick might be the best that you can do.

If it is something actually stuck to the tape, you may be able to clean it off. You know the standard routine, start out mild like distilled water and move up to stronger stuff if needed.

So anyhow, any luck so far?

[thecoalman]

So anyhow, any luck so far?

No I haven't taken it apart yet, I'm going to capture the footage that will play then proceed to operate.

[ZAPPER]

So anyhow, any luck so far?

No I haven't taken it apart yet, I'm going to capture the footage that will play then proceed to operate.

Remember, don't force it, get a bigger hammer!

Actually I have never had any trouble with HI 8/ Digital 8 tapes. You might want to keep that one out of your cam/deck and use the original owners equipment instead. (It might even work in the other equipment, just a thought)

[handyguy]

You could try rewinding it on another machine.