Sony CCD-V8AF: no sound with 8mm tape playback

[Pyramid0337]

Hi - Very much a newbie here. Seems like this would go into Camcorders, but posting here just in case I'm off base.

Ran into an issue playing back 1980s Video 8 cassette tapes on the Sony CCD-V8AF video camera recorder they were originally recorded on 35-41 years ago. Video plays great, but there’s no sound.

My relatives unfortunately don’t have another 8mm working camcorder to test the tapes on another device. Their 90s camcorder (RCA pro 8) turns on, but eats 8mm tapes.

Do folks have any trouble shooting tips to determine the following on our own or with minimal cost? TIA for any help!
- unable to find sound control buttons on the camcorder - did I miss something?
- anyway to confirm was audio was originally recorded and we should continue trying to recover?
- something else?

Background info

Buttons on the back:

[Attachment 77601 - Click to enlarge]

RFU adapter (original from the 80s):

[Attachment 77602 - Click to enlarge]

45 sec video playback without sound:
https://imgur.com/a/wtN8pXp

Indications there's no sound recorded:
- no sound emitting from the camcorder (couldn't find anything that looks like a speaker)
- no sound from the earphone jack via verified working headphones
- tried all 4 combinations of VHF/Line switch on the RFU adaptor + upper right switch on back buttons - left green arrow side, and right edit side
- tried 3 different Video 8 tapes recorded across different years; all played video, but no sound

Indications there's sound recorded:
- original microphone still attached
[Attachment 77603 - Click to enlarge]
- camcorder seemingly automatically recorded sound (manual: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/res/manuals/W000/W0001338M.pdf)
- relatives recall hearing sound when they watched these videos back in the past

[Alwyn]

It's the relatives verses the rest of the evidence!

I'm only WAGing here: I think it would be unusual for a camcorder not to record any audio, so theorise that this one gone on the blink.

Perhaps these camcorders have separate audio heads that can be cleaned? Be careful you don't harm it though. Thoroughly research first. I see there are a few videos on Youtube about this cam. I haven't watched them but they might yield a clue.

You could try getting another tape, recorded on a different machine, and play that. That would be cheaper than buying another camcorder. Or send one of your tapes to be played by someone else to check for audio.

[dellsam34]

What happens when you record a new tape with attached microphone and play it back?

[Pyramid0337]

What happens when you record a new tape with attached microphone and play it back?

We don't have blank 8mm tapes (or ones my relatives are willing to record over), but I didn't think of that. Would be relatively inexpensive to acquire. Thanks!

[Pyramid0337]

It's the relatives verses the rest of the evidence!

I'm only WAGing here: I think it would be unusual for a camcorder not to record any audio, so theorise that this one gone on the blink.

Perhaps these camcorders have separate audio heads that can be cleaned? Be careful you don't harm it though. Thoroughly research first. I see there are a few videos on Youtube about this cam. I haven't watched them but they might yield a clue.

You could try getting another tape, recorded on a different machine, and play that. That would be cheaper than buying another camcorder. Or send one of your tapes to be played by someone else to check for audio.

Good point - I don't know if the 90s 8mm tapes are backwards compatible, but worth a try! I'm going to stay away from cleaning for now

[dellsam34]

The tape doesn't have to be all blank, Any tape with blank section enough for 1 minute recording should be fine.