Anyone who is the original purchaser of a camcorder and has proof of this fact, is entitled to take advantage of a special FREE repair programme being offered by JVC. (residents of certain countries outside English speaking ones "may" have more difficulties in obtaining the repair due to lack of suitable agents being available) This idea of soldering on the CCD image sensor chip is a "no go", as its totally hit and miss, in most cases the latter! as this chip is NOT replaced as a single item during a repair but as a complete module, and any evidence of soldering having been done around the chip would negate JVC's special offer. Should anyone else be reading this and require details of the offer, please note it can only be sent to a DIRECT e-mail address.