Smearing on certain 8mm tapes, cause?
 

Please help! What causes the smearing in the attached video?

Maxell Hi8 MP 120 tapes, as well as Sony. Playing back on a Canon ES970. Not sure what kind of camera(s) the tapes were shot on.

Lots of tapes play back perfectly fine.

It's driving me insane. Please help.

That looks what you would get when trying to play Hi8 tapes on a camcorder that doesn't support it. You would need a Hi8 camcorder/vcr to play those back properly.

That's not smearing, It's the black streaks you would get from playing back Hi8 tapes in the wrong camcorder, You need a Hi8 camcorder or a D8 one that is capable of playing back analog Hi8 tapes.

Can you recommend a good model between $100-$200?

Any suggestion for a camera around $100-$200?

Head over the camcorder recommendation thread. As to prices, they are not sold in stores anymore so price is ruled by supply and demand, All what you can do is take note of some model numbers and keep looking online until you hit your price range.

Found a well cared for Sony Hi-8 camera for $80 on FB Marketplace. Thanks.