Came across a Canon ES6000 Hi8 camcorder from about 1996. Has sat in an equipment rack at a school for about 18 years without being used. Has a tape inside.

Any related old threads (if there were any in Hi8 gear in the distant past) appear to be gone, but anyone recall how to remove a tape if the system powers up, shows the "Eject Tape warning, but the Eject button does nothing?

One method I used to use was to turn unit off, hold down the Eject button then turn unit on.

Even if you get it out what good is an old tape camera with broken tape mechanisms?

1. The tape may be interesting.

You might have the long lost Zapruder Hi8 video