Tape/Display problem This is a problem similar to those I've allready read, but with one difference: I had a tape in the Cam who had been in there for a long time. Maybe three months. When I turned it on recently, I heard a loud beeping noise from the camera, that came along with a flickering symbol that looked like a waterdrop or something in a square.(I **** at describing things, but this is what I saw, at least) Under this symbol, an eject symbol appeared. In the right corner a symbol stating C:21.00 appeared. When I ejected the tape, the camera wouldnt accept it back, but kept pushing it out again. The symbol with the "waterdrop in the square" was still flickering in the middle of the screen. Can any of you please help me?

This may be caused by a faulty adapter. 1. try playing in the camera. 2. try a different tape. 3. try a different adapter.99% this is a problem with the adapter or the tape. It really sounds like the tape isn't turning freely, which can be caused by a brake sticking, or spindle in the tape or adapter.

hmmm...sounds like the transport motor/foot are stuck..open it up, and inspect around those items(where the tape actually clamps down) and see if you can see anything in there. Might even be a bug, no fooling..

as to repairs..you are most likely talking some major money, and a long time in the repair depot, which I believe is in Rio..I'll check that for you while you do this part.

Wow, microcassettes! (Sorry, I thought they were so cutting edge when they were.......cutting edge!)
Anyway, forgive the humour - you've most likely got a tape jam in the cassette itself but if it does this with other cassettes then you've got a dead rewind function your message indicates that you've got a later model recorder with a status display.
What does Fast Forward do?
I know it's annoying but the cheapest option may be to turn the cassette over and use FF if it works OK.
Have you checked out digital pocket recorders?
For the same money, or less, than yours likely cost new, they free you from cassettes, tape winding time, poor quality - all those analogue hassles.
The memory (time) capacity even the most bog-standard (as we say in the UK!) ones have is mind blowing.

Try different tape if prob. is only on 1 tape ffwd then rew.then play

Will it record on a new tape? Will it play a different tape? Have had a similar problem with a different camera. Think it had to do with the record mode / play back. A bit like standard play and long play - are there setting like that you could change?

Have you tried different VHS tapes? If your VHS tape is too far rewound or at the very end your camcorder will display this problem. In a different VHS machine make sur the tape is rewound and then play the tape about a minute and then try it in the VCR.
If this doesn't work then there is a problem with the tape end sensors in your VCR.

Were your tapes recorded in extended play? Sometimes that will make it impossible for a different tape deck to play it back correctly. The tolerences on Hi-8 are very small so it is possible that a tiny alignment difference will make it impossible to play back a pre-recorded tape. Try fast forwording and rewinding the tape and try it again. Also try playing it from different parts of the tape. Go to the middle of the tape and try it there.

i had the same problem with my cam JVC GR-DVL309 and i solve it.
HOW!
Eject the tape, reinsert it BUT while the tape is going down to read, push the door with your hand just a little bit to right side just a few seconds while is reading the tape and close the door, (i had done this 2 or 3 times) this way i have solve the E04 Error, now i can record and play with my cam.

YOUR TAPE MAY BE DAMAGED IF YOU TRY TO OPEN THE CAMCORDER - HOLD EJECT BUTTON DOWN BEFORE ! YOU REATTACH BATTERY THEN READ THE ERROR CODE ? IF IT STILL DOES NOT EJECT .