You dont explain very well, however if its meant that you cannot see what the camcorder is pointing at even "before" recording BUT!! that you can play back "old" tapes OK then that is the infamous "Lens cap" problem of the CCD image sensor being defective. Changing the battery makes no difference whatsoever to this fault.

pull back cover &can change the bettry..

my friend got the same problem and i just suggest to change the recording tape. and it was ok! try doing so and mail me i'm an industrial technicien.

my friend got the same problem and i just suggest to change the recording tape.

Advice (initial) sent via reply box.