Undermentioned is the correct way to try and remove the tape, although the procedure must be followed to the letter, if you still cannot remove the tape then partial dismantling of the case will be necessary, as what you describe could indicate that the cassette has somehow jammed the mechanism. Emergency tape release / Cassette holder opening procedure. Take the battery out, then while its still out switch the camcorder "M". Next "HOLD AND KEEP HOLDING" the eject button whilst you reinsert the battery and the holder will (or should) open / tape eject as soon as the battery is reinstalled due to this action by-passing the "fault detected" sensor which triggers a shut down, i.e: a shut down command cannot be triggered without battery power, and so depending on your luck / timing when you reinstall the battery and power is restored your eject command can sometimes take the lead over the sensors signal being acted upon by the logic control circuitry, however you may have to make more than one attempt at this procedure. (also try it without switching the power on, or try it set to "A" rather than "M")