I ran across three videos from a former videocamera repairman who described how to disassemble these things, what to look for, how to align the heads and even swap parts. Turns out I have a TRV-66 Hi-8 XR unit I bought new back in 1999 that had begun to act up on occasion. It ate a tape or two, refused to play a tape, would act 'stuck' then refuse to eject the tape and at times, not even allow the tape to load. So, I quit using it.
After watching the three videos, I pulled it out, followed his instructions to split the case apart, reset a few flex connectors while treating them with DeOxit, cleaned the tape path and restored the pinch roller/capstan. Result? Now loads tapes, plays, records, rewinds....all like it used to! Rather amazing. Plus, I have a few dozen tapes I've made over the years that I'd like to xnsfr to the DVD recorder mentioned in another thread.
If you still have one of these and are detail oriented, you may be able to restore it to working condition by following his instructions. Worked for me....
8mm Camera Repair, Part I
Part II
Part III
After watching the three videos, I pulled it out, followed his instructions to split the case apart, reset a few flex connectors while treating them with DeOxit, cleaned the tape path and restored the pinch roller/capstan. Result? Now loads tapes, plays, records, rewinds....all like it used to! Rather amazing. Plus, I have a few dozen tapes I've made over the years that I'd like to xnsfr to the DVD recorder mentioned in another thread.
If you still have one of these and are detail oriented, you may be able to restore it to working condition by following his instructions. Worked for me....
8mm Camera Repair, Part I
Part II
Part III