So I happen to have a sony DCR-TRV460 that is missing a pinch roller, but otherwise seems to be working. I also have some other sony Hi8 and Digital8 cameras (DCR-TRV320, DCR-TRV330,
DCR-TRV 825) with other issues that I don't know whether are fixable, so I'm wondering if the pinch rollers are compatible. I can't quite figure out how to take one out, they seem to be sitting quite well, simply pulling them lightly didn't work. (Didn't take the chance to pull with much force.) Is there some procedure for loosening them? These have a reputation for coming loose after all.

-- merged --

Small bump here. Still haven't managed this. Anyone know how one would take it off without taking off the whole arm assembly (which seems difficult and risky?)

I found someone on ebay that would sell me a new one for $34 incl shipping, though ebay is always a risk.

I have no experience with this exact model...

... but I certainly do with reverse engineering and hardware repair. The first best option is to get a service manual. The next option is to buy an extra whatever-it-is for research, and then realize you may break it while learning. But that's what it's for, and hopefully doing it once (likely the wrong way) will teach you how to do it better on the second attempt.

With cameras, yeah, it's risky, everything is tiny and fragile, with lots of plastics.