Viewfinder probs. on an old camera

Interesting that it has worked so long. You might want to consider a better camera since even the cheapest digital video camera today will have better video than a VHS-C camcorder. With the VHS tape it only recorded analog signals and each copy of the tape would degrade. Most cellphones today will take video that is orders of magnitude better than a VHS-C unit . . .

It's at least 26 years old - unlikely that it can be serviced after this length of time.

The vhs camcorder has very complex mechanics and hold many traps for the inexperienced.

I suggest you begin by obtaining a standard vhs recorder and remove the cover to expose the interior and then study it. You will find the engineering and interior geography of your camcorder similar.
The round shiny barrel-shaped thing contains the record and playback video heads and the sound head is separate and looks like a larger version of what can be seen in a standard audio cassette recorder.

The interior must be extremely clean, the drive belts in good condition and the clutches and rubber rollers also in good order.

Any VHS camcorder is probably at the end of its life by now - replace it with something more modern

Hi,

On these old models of VHS camcorder, I recall they have either RCA outputs, or BNC connectors which will require a BNC adaptor (to convert to RCA).

Using a 3RCA lead, connect the camcorder to the video (and audio) inputs of your DVD recorder.

Check the tape and make sure the record tab is still on the tape and has not been removed. If the record tab has been removed then use a new tape for recording as the unit will not record. This tap is usually on the lower left end of the back of the tape. When the tap is present it closes a record mode switch letting the system know the tape is able to bv recorded on..

If camcorder shows old recorded tapes picture with correct colors in LCD but does not show live view in camera mode to record new movie then its ccd imager chip failure.
And if camcoder shows live view and old recorded tapes in its eye piece view finder but does not show any thing in LCD the its problem of broekn/ cracked flexible wire between lcd board and main board of camcorder.
Let me know your finding with bit detail to provide you solution/ helpful info.

At seventeen years old, it is well beyond the expected lifespan of any domestic camcorder. Replace it.

remove the tape and just test that whether its recording or not and try to change the tape and then try

There may be a simple explanation. Here are two possible reasons this is happening: * You may have disconnected the power source before turning off the power to your camcorder. If you remove the power source from the camcorder while the power is on, all settings and selections will be erased. Make sure to turn the camcorder's power off before disconnecting the power source. * This is particularly an issue for some early VHS-C camcorders – those with model numbers beginning with a "6" and ending with a "2" or "3" (i.e. CC6xx2 … CC6xx3). These camcorders have a consumer-replaceable clock battery that may be exhausted. If that battery runs dead or is removed and the main battery or AC is not connected, the camcorder will lose all its Date and Time settings. * In some models, the date and time display is designed to do this. When you turn on many VHS-C and digital camcorders, the Auto Date mode will display the time and date. When recording begins, the date is recorded on the tape for 5 seconds and then disappears. In the viewfinder, the date will then be replaced with the words AUTO DATE but they will not be recorded. They remain in your viewfinder so that you know this feature is on. On full-size or VHS camcorders, the Auto Date feature is very similar. When you first turn on the camcorder, the date along with the word AUTO and a Clock icon appear in the viewfinder. When recording begins, the date is automatically recorded for 10 seconds and then disappears. In the viewfinder, the Clock icon and the word AUTO remain but they will not be recorded. They remain so that you are aware that this feature is on. When using the Auto Date feature, be aware that the time is only recorded when you first turn on the camcorder and begin a recording session. It does not record each time you press the record button. There are a number of time and date display and recording options. Since these vary by model number, please refer to your owner’s manual for more details.