I have given the reason for this on page 210, but to recap its a known manufacturing defect which JVC are offering a free repair on, this applying up to October 2007. The procedure is that you contact JVC customer services, tell them the fault and they will ask you to photo copy the purchase receipt and send it to them with a short covering letter. They will then send you an authorisation slip for a free repair and tell you where to take (or send) the camera to, which will be their nearest agent to where you may be, and thats that! Just to emphasise a point, the camera "can" be out of its normal guarantee, it doesn't make any difference. Hope this helps / John.