How to fix it

There could be several reasons for badly distorted pictures. considering the age of the unit as DV camcoder which I am guessing would be quite a bit. Most likely the heads have worn out and need replacement. I am assuming you have this problem with newly recorded tapes being played on a TV directly from the camcorder. For this you may also need to check if you are using new tapes and whether the recording mode is PAL or NTSC as per the TV format.

Alternate test would be to play back a previously recorded tape back from the camcorder. That way at least you can establish if the problem is the read head or the write head or the tape itself.

This is most likely caused by a damaged or misaligned video drum and can usually be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired by a qualified service technician.

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Insert a Cleaning Cassette and it will solve your problem.
André

any recordings made from another digital video device may not meet the same specifications to play back correctly in any other brand model unfortunately. some work and some don't

I have fixed several PD150 and PD170 with the same problem. All of them had bad CCD.

In 1990s Sony camcorder records movie in analog format so playing in digital camcorder like DCR-TRV730 doesn't mean it will be converted in digital format and you can not import file in PC for editing purpose. You will get analog signal while playing back old cassettes.

Regarding SP, LP speed, its decided at time of recording. Camera sens SP or LP automatically in playback and set itself accordingly.

If you want to convert old cassettes into digital format, connect our camcorder to DVD recorder and burn DVD which is digital format, copy DVD files in to PC and do desired editing.

I've had to fix this problem several times. You need to open the 8mm cassette, and manually rewind to where the tape got twisted around. Then untwist it, and manually wind the tape back on the reels. and then put the cassette back together. If the tape isn't torn you should be fine. There might be creases in the tape- but they will only give you a slight picture glitch or drop out. You need to run a head cleaning tape through your camcorder before you try taping again. It might hose up the next tape if you don't.

Sometimes that happens to me too. What I do is just push play, then fast forward, and normally if you watch it, the picture starts to come back. Just keep fast forwarding until you can see all of the picture, and you should be fine.

alignment is offset, should be easy fix with you local electronics repair place....if you need a cost estimate let me know model

your guides have come loose , probably - the digital sound will be next to go because the bottom edge of your tapes are being folded - open the cassette tape lid by pressing the small pin near one hinge and gently lifting the door - if there are any creases ? get the guides aligned ! to protect your library ; ( if there are no creases , try a sony d8 cleaning tape - once ! before getting a repair quote ) ;