Sony EV-S3000 Hi8 VCR snowy image?

[cbehr91]

I recently bought this unit on eBay to digitize some professionally-produced Hi8 tapes I acquired that were recorded with PCM audio that my D8 camera couldn't play the audio. The EV-S3000 arrived and it barely plays tapes (seller claimed the unit was in working condition, they are offering me a refund however). The best I can get is an occasional dark, snowy image, but usually I just get a blue screen. I manually cleaned the heads and this did not help. Should I just take up the seller's offer to return the unit or is there something else I can do to get it working?

I've attached an image of what the VCR plays.

[lordsmurf]

It's sounding like head damage. Too many ham-fisted brutes try to clean VCRs, and this is the result. You must be gentle, and must never clean a head without need. Not you (you had reason), the seller or previous owner.

The next guess would be a problem in the signal path wiring. Either internal or external.

Remember to try all outputs: s-video, composite, coax. See if any work.

Be sure not to put an important tape in here. It will likely ruin it, if really damaged.