JVC has a CCD corrective action program. They fixed mine for free even though it is years out of warranty. I called 1-800-252-5722 and they told me to send it to JVC SERVICE & ENGINEERING with a letter containing my name, address, phone number, and description of the problem -- that the error message displays "lens cap" even when the cap is off. They will give you the address for the nearest repair center to you. Evidently they are acknowledging the problem and fixing them.

DID YOU GET A SOLUTION TO YOUR JVC CAMCORDER PROBLEM? (NO IMAGE ON VIEWFINDER OR MONITOR) I BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER ONE A YEAR AGO & THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. LARRY