Sony Video 8 & Hi 8 Camcorder Playback Issues Head Cleaning & Bad Tapes Contaminating The Heads

In this video, it’s gonna cover video 8 & hi8 camcorder tapes that have that have worn or dirty video heads coming from the tapes that are deteriorating from age and predominantly ones that have been left in hot and humid. Garage is for many decades. If you were transferring video tapes to digital you need to have multiple players in case one of them starts acting up and you think is it the tape all the players so at least you’ve got something to compare it against know what you need to do to rectify the situation, if you were shopping around for video transfer company to do this work for you, you must see videos like this on KZbin and a very high google score as well or else you’re gonna be getting back videotapes with contact missing fuzzy footage or tips not transfer the tool telling you they can I get a picture because they’re video heads or dirty and worn on that players to vicious cycle. If you’d like to get a quote to digitize your home movies, please go to Gotmemories.com

[@jello4040]

Thanks for the excellent videos. I appreciate all the information. I have been in this business in one form or another since 1979. So I have seen every format and you have covered the problems very well. I occationally transfer videos for friends and have seen the problems you described. I have been cleaning my heads with chamois cloth and electronic contact cleaner for fastest results.. do think electronic cleaning solutions is better than store bought head cleaners? I have old VHS tapes that are 40 years old that play fine and Sony formats less than 20 that are nothing but problems. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@gotmemories]

Hi! Thanks for reaching out and glad you enjoy the videos. I stick to alcohol for the heads, if you’re cleaning and still having issues, give the cc a whirl! I experiment constantly to try and get these things to play. You’re right, some brands have faired better than others. Usually my problem vhs tapes are ones that have been recorded in EP mode. Tapes that have been recorded in a full size vhs camcorder are good, it’s the home movies dubbed from camcorder to vhs with a crappy misaligned vcr that cause me issues and god forbid recorded in EP! All the best!

[@RobRoye5]

I really enjoy your videos, I have been in a small video production company for 20 or so years. As I get closer to retirement, I am doing transfers now. One question is I see you run from the camera into the Panasonic deck then into the capture device. What is the benefit? Thanks.

[@gotmemories]

Hi! Glad you’re enjoying the videos. It’s about hitting one button vs unplugging cables back and forth.

[@bevnfred]

Hundreds of employees. 😂 such passion. Love it. I only used three machines - my old VHS player, VHS rewinder, and two 8 mm camcorders and a transfer device. Cleaning was a big issue. All our memories on a 256 Gbyte usb stick. What will replace this someday?

[@gotmemories]

Streaming!

[@bevnfred]

@@gotmemories upload to KZbin?

[@gotmemories]

@@bevnfred yes

[@vejayforrester6008]

A customer gave me 12 hi 8 tapes. They don't play in any of my 3 cameras. I have cleaned the camera heads multiple times, rewinded, forwarding the tapes. Picture is snowy and has constant lines/ artifacts throughout. Been using 99 percent alcohol, should I try electronic contact cleaner?

[@gotmemories]

Could be their camcorder was defective back in the day or more than likely stored in a hot and humid garage / attic which is mindblowingly common. First question to all prospective customers is: ‘where have you stored your media?’ … it dictates potential problems and amount of time I have to potentially spend and or waste trying to get clear picture and audio from usually many decades long negligence.

[@vejayforrester6008]

@gotmemories totally agree, I have spent hours trying to get the best picture from tapes. I have done what I can and salvaged a lot for the customer. Appreciate you getting back to me. Makes me feel better that I am doing the same thing as what you would. Thanks as always

[@stpworld]

I do have a video 8 tape tahts was filmed with alignment issues is that sometihing you can fix it has my cousins grandma on it? Also maybe im just lucky my digital 8 tapes are all perfect.

[@gotmemories]

Hard to tell without seeing it.

[@jamesharris5034]

Your friend Tim next-door electronics contact could I be in boxed number address

[@gotmemories]

Tim is local Phoenix walk in only for repairs