Dont reuse your tapes more than 3 times as this can result in pixelation (personally I only use tapes once) Also problems can arise from using one brand of tape a lot and then switching to another brand, either stick to one brand that works or change brands often. (this is caused by the different lubricants used by each manufacturer mixing and dirtying up the heads).

Get yourself a new head cleaner and some new tapes (not sony this time) and try again. Once you get it to work dont use the cleaner too often as this wears the heads out.

tonga