Hitachi VM-SPIA Instruction Manual page 29

INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF CASSETES
8mm Video Cassette
An 8mm Video Cassette has a record-protect tab on the side of the cassette that can be
slid to prevent accidental erasure of recorded material.
To prevent accidental erasure, slide the record-protect tab in the direction of the arrow
until the red tab is completely visible.
To record on the cassette again, slide the record-protect tab in the direction of the
arrow. The red tab will disappear behind the cassette case.
NOTE: After unpacking, it is recommended to fast forward tape to its middle and then
rewind it before recording with the camera for the first time.