How do you record on my camcorder?

It is listed as an antique. I don't think you are supposed to be using it. I can't even find a manual on it.

https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/8mmvc394.html

I was hoping there might be two brightness settings, one for record and one for playback

https://www.google.com/search?q=canon+es970+8mm+video+camcorder+manual

..

You need to connect the Video and Audio outputs from your camcorder or VHS player/recorder to the Honestech converter - Yellow is video, red and white audio. You play the tape back on the camcorder or VHS player/recorder and the video on the tape will play into the Honestech converter and will be digitised and sent via the USB connection to the PC and recorded on the PC. The Honestech cannot control your camcorder or VCR directly so you need to manually set it to play the tape.

Free search and downmload movie for your devices, you can visit here: http://free- download-films.com/
No membership. no account, no virus, free high quality movie in ipod format, iphone format mp4 player format, zune format, ....
trustworthy, reliable

Checkout this manual(click here). it has everything that you ever need to know about your camera.

I have the same problem on my Canon XH-A1 and sony TRV33. I wonder if this problem applies to all camcorders?

me too!!!

I also have a Canon ZR-- left of the lens and the built-in microphones, there is a small panel that opens to reveal several ports. The middle yellow one is the AV In/Out. You can plug in the cable that came with your camera. One end looks like a microphone plug, the other has 3 RCA type plugs- red, white and yellow. These get plugged into your VCR's OUT plugs on the back of the VCR. Place a tape in the camcorder, open the LCD panel and push the REC PAUSE button. On the VCR, press the Play button. When the tape reaches the point you want to begin recording, press the camcorder's Play/Pause button. When you want to stop recording, press the Stop button on the camcorder.
This is also detailed on page 82 of your manual, manuals are available online at Canon.com. Your specific manual is at: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=174&modelid=9739#DownloadDetailAct
Hope this helps.

if 600 sgd is labor only - around 400 usd - you might consider cost of trading up to a newer model ( check ebay for second camera , while you wait for . . . warranty repairs ) ;

Try changing the CR2025 cell beneath the battery. Also, I have had problems when the battery on my remote got low and sent odd signals, Try changing those or just removing them, unlss the remote was nowhere near the camcorder.

What do you mean by "Its only when i go to record or view previous recording"? in what situation doesn't it show the gray lines? What about the viewfinder? do you get lines there aswell? If you don't see the gray lines when you transfer the video out of the camera, then you don't have a head problem, a screen problem maybe. Don't hurry to use cleaner tapes because they can hurt the head, the actual cleaning procedure is one that scrapes the head and leaves some damage. more info please