I've been researching this for hours. I have the same problem. Took it to a repair shop today that would charge me $250 to replace the whole tape mechanism. Finally, I tried the whack trick. I gave the camera a good firm smack on the right side, and voila, now it works! I'm going to tranfer everything to DVD ASAP!
Try running an 8mm tape cleaner in it and see it that makes a difference
I have a (but not "the") solution. This happened to me once last year agoand now yesterday. The stuck problem might be related to battery powergoing down to nothing in conjunction with the unit not being able to read the tape.
There are LOTS of complaints about this on the net. Here are some links.
Amazon customer rating with problem cited:
Amazon review page
Symptoms:
My battery power was low both times. I get the blinking tape light in center of screen. "Reinsert tape"message. Shows C32:20 at top right. Not all of these symptoms were thereevery time I started it up. And once I removed the tape (assuming Icould just put it back in or dislodge an obstruction) the lift mechanism was "locked" and would notwithdraw into the unit so I could close the door. However the auto slide that "pops" to release the tape stillworked when you fully open after partially closing the plastic door.
After fiddling for an hour, I could not find an obstruction, nor manual eject, and could not budge that mechanism whatsoever.
After I saw someone else post the comment about the replacing power source, the proverbial light went on.
My Solution (to stuck door):
I turned unit off. I open/closed the plastic door cover to pop out and removed the tape; left the door in stuck position (what choice you got?) Plugged in the power cable and fully charged the battery. Came back then unplugged the power cable and turned the unit on. I got the "replace power source" and C32:20 error. Shut it off and I ejected the battery and plugged it back in. The second time just the blinking cassette icon was there. The door mechanism now works correctly. If that exact step progression doesn't work this might give you a few more "fiddle" ideas until it does.
Not "the" solution:
The tape that originally was locked in there still gets the "Reinsert cassette" problem. I have never run a tape cleaner through this (I've used about 40 Hi8 tapes in 3 years or so). So I best do that now.
However, other tapes I've tried are working OK (so far). If the true cause is dirty heads (or at least one factor of the problem) I won't t be surprised if they soon start getting the error.
At least I can continue transferring my other tapes to DVD and record on blank ones. For the moment that is....
Once I figured this out I was able to search and find more answers on the net.
Want another solution? MANY have suggested and swear-by the "Whack it" method. I never did it but here is one page with some solutions for this/these problems: Whack it (at camerahacker forum)
The more you read the more you'll hear folks saying this unit is junk. Whether it is or not: /shrug. But mine has worked near flawless for 3 years and 40 tapes worth. So maybe I was lucky....
EDIT: My spacebar does work, it appears the wrapping doesn't reveal space problems very well. Also that last link to Whack it IS valid (as of Oct 2008). It's getting a page not found error for me (probably due to the address ending with a period).
If you get page not found error, keep the screen open, then click in the address bar and hit ENTER (as-if you typed the address yourself and now telling your browser to go fetch it).
Here's the address in text form:
http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/Displ...
FIX PART TWO:
After reading more from that whack link, I found another fix:
Eject the offending tape and MANUALLY REWIND it away from the spot that's "bad". Then reinsert and it should forward/rewind just fine.
It worked for me and I was able to read through the offending area and get it copied to disk. Hope it works for you.
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have the same problem the reinsert cassette come on.
I have the same problem, I tried a head cleaner tape but the camcorder won't allow me to put the cleaner in without it reading reinsert cassette
I have been transferring my 8mm tape coverage into my computer via iLink and everything was working fine. Now I am getting the "reinsert the tape" error and also C31:30 flashes on the camera screen. Have tried different tapes, even brand new ones, same thing happens. When I put the tape in, and close the tape box, it doesn't pull it in on its own anymore. I have to push it myself. And as soon as I do get the tape box closed, the "reinsert the tape" flashes on the screen and to get the tape out, I have to keep tapping the "door" to the tape against the tape box and eventually it will open and let me take the tape out. I don't have a tape cleaner to try, will have to go buy one today. Anyone have any suggestions? Or do I need to take it to the repair shop? Thanks for any suggestions you have to share.
Same issue here: Was recording without a problem when got to about half the tape used and it stopped with the msg to Reinsert the tape. Once I took the tape out I could no longer get the tape chasis to close. It is still open as I never forced it. I also have the up triangle with the line under it and mine is flashing C32:20 and when ever turned on it says to Reattach the power source. Battery is fully charged and is good. Was a great camera when it worked.
I have the same problem but after fiddling for two hours and reading other users symptoms, I fixed mine. I'll post it now.
I also have that same problem, sometimes it will play but for only seconds. Most of the time right when I power it up Reinsert cassette appears on the screen, it dos'nt want to eject the cassette either.
I've had my Sony Hi8 Digital camera for 5 years now and the other day I picked it up and it had the 2008 Christmas tape in it. I Hit play and it says reinsert cassette and in the right hand corner the number and letters
C:31:23 Flashes on and off along with a yellow triangle with line under it in the center of the side screen. I open the tape compartment and the tape ejects like normal, then when I get ready to take it out I notice that the front of the tape is still open and when I try to take the tape out it won't come out because it is still open. I then push the tape back down and it closes the tape. Then It put another tape in and it does the same thing. 2 months ago I was bragging to a friend that this was the best camera because I've had it for 5 years and have had no problems with it. Now I get to eat my words...
I have the exact same problem and it's very troubling because of all the precious family video I have shot, including my child's birth, that I would like to preserve. I took it to an electronics repair place today and the guy said there is a sensor that is broken inside the camera and the only solution is to replca the entire loading mechanism, which would cost $250 including labor. Grrrrr....
The camcorder keeps telling me to reinsert my cassette and I can not use it of course. It also shows a line with a triangle shape on top of it. Almost looks like a house. I really need help because I have approx 40 tapes of my kids that I need to change over to DVD. Can you help?
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