Generally this error occurs when the head needs cleaning. It's doesn't say so in the manual, but DV camcorders do not like it when you use different brands of tape. It is better for the head if you stick to just one brand. You can get a special panasonic cleaning tape for under a tenner off the internet and you run it for about 30 secs and the job is done. I can't find the info of the site I got mine from, but if I find it I will post it here Steve