Canon UC1 8mm video camcorder

Try a fully wired 21 pin scart lead (different one) if that fails clean camcorder heads with fluid head cleaner, if that fails I'm afraid expensive camcorder repair. PBK

Try removing the battery and charging it. Then put the battery back on the camera. This will reset the cassette system. The cassette should open or close depending upon what status it is in. Once you get the camera to eject fully, clean your heads with a dry head cleaner cassette for Hi8 video. If your camera is still eating tape, could be a broken pin or damaged heads.

Hi there,

Firstly, I must explain how the MiniDV system works:

Although this may sound illogical, MiniDV camcorder heads do actually use a type of lubrication cassette system and there are 2 types:

- DRY lubrication (Canon, Panasonic, JVC etc)
- WET lubrication (Sony)

Now, if you haven't noticed already from the above 2 types, you are in fact using the WRONG type of cassette on your camcorder.

Although Sony cassettes are often readily available (and often perceived to be the best quality), by using Sony cassettes on a Canon camcorder (or Pana, JVC for that matter), you are in fact causing premature wear on the heads. So, the condition you are describing as 'dirty' heads, is in fact caused by the use of the wrong (wet type) cassettes on your DRY type camcorder.

Using "WET" type cassettes on a DRY system camcorder, can often leave residue on your heads, or worse....cause wear. The same principle applies to Sony camcorders - use only Sony 'WET' type cassettes, not Dry cassettes.

This also applies when using HEAD CLEANER cassettes - as indicated, you have used a Sony Head Cleaner cassette (this is a WET type cassette), when in fact, you should be using a DRY HEAD CLEANER cassette (Pana, Canon etc).

CAUTION: when using a head cleaner cassette, only playback the cassette for no more than 6 sec's at a time (anymore will damage the heads).

Summary:

For your Canon camcorder, use only DRY MiniDV cassettes (Pana offer cassettes from Studio, Professional to Master Quality), including DRY Head Cleaner cassette. This should improve the playback quality from your camcorder.

On Canon camcorders, "remove the tape" error is due to no data reading by video head. You may have clogged heads or somewhere along the area. Initially, I would try to insert good clean "video head cleaning tape" and run for about 7 seconds and see if that resolve the symptom. If it persists, it need a help from a technician. Good Luck. For further help, go to www.camerarepairjapan.com James

Yes it can be fixed, but Canon is not the easiest to work on. Is the connector loose at all? The audio head may be dirty. This is not on the spinning heads. If you look inside and locate the pinch roller (rubber roller), there should be a silver head that looks like a cassette tape head. Try cleaning that using a cotton swab and alcohol. See if that resolves the problem.

Keep us posted.
Dan

Take the camera to a reputable camera shop, there is honestly no way to do this at home, if you touch the video heads by accident, or accidently move something, it could spell big trouble. Also I to have an XL2, and canon might be willing to fix this for free from what I understand about their customer care plan (Best Regards)

Try inserting a cleaning cassette. There may be something on you video heads and your camera is protecting itself from damage. If it wont let you play the cleaning cassette consider using some compressed air via a can of "blow-off" or similiar product. If that doesn't change anything send it in for repair.

Dirty video head! Playback newly opened blank tape for five minutes, after that eject, reinsert, playback then eject again five times, these will serve as your video head cleaner, never use "video head cleaning cassette tape" for it will only damage your camera. Most camera has built in video head cleaner installed inside and activates only when you insert, initial play/rec, and ejects a tape. If the problem is still there you need pro fix then.[:0)

First if you have a very bad tape (miniDV) (hard to turn by your hand) the camera will automatically eject coz it cant load the tape to it. it is not a head problem. It seems that you have a mechanical loading issue here. But try to put new miniDV tape. ANd post here what happen. PS Dont use compress gas to clean it you might put new problem. Please use only the head cleaner tape (MiniDV) if you want to clean the head. Hope this may help you