"TAPE" and "NO TAPE" have different meanings. TAPE may mean 'tape end',
or 'tape ending', so look for an optical sensor in the tape path,
probably dirty or out of alignment.
JR

wrote:

I have a 7 year old Hitachi model VM-H955LA 8mm Video camcorder. It
has been fine up to yesterday.

When placing a new or a used/already recorded tape into the camcorder
and trying to either record on the new tape or play back an already
recorded tape, I get a flashing "tape" in the viewfinder. The battery
is fully charged and/or the camcorder is plugged into the power supply.
It doesn't make any difference what power source is used. If I try to
record without a tape being in the camcorder, I get a "no tape" in the
viewfinder, so I know the camera knows when there is a tape in the
unit. If I push the fast forward button, the tape starts to FF, but
then stops in 1/2 second or less. If I hold the FF button down, then
the tape will FF. The same is true for reverse, it only works if I
hold the reverse button down.

Before I drive and shell out $$ to the authorized Hitachi service
center which is 20 miles away, I thought maybe someone in the group
would have some ideas. I have lots of experience in TV repair, but none
in camcorders. SInce the video channel is ok based on what I see in
the viewfinder, I am hoping it will not be TOOO expensive to repair.
If anyone has a $$ limit that you think I should not exceed for repair
costs, I would like that opinion also.

TIA,

H. R. (Bob) Hofmann



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