Cant play back videos

Question

just took my 1989 Canon A1 hi-8 video camera out of storage to transfer my Hi8(8mm) tapes to DVD and am unable to get the tapes to play. whenever I insert a tape I get a flashing ''eject'' on the screen. the manual states this means the ''safety mechanism is on'' and instructs to remove and re insert the tape, but the same thing happens. I can find no info in the manual about the ''safety mechanism''. Any ideas??????I replaced the lithium battery as it was dead but that didnt help either.Help!