I get "STBY" message on my screen and the LCD is blank

take the lense cap off

After installation of Picture package softward, I am unable to burn the recorded video directly to CD-R. The software is not at all recognising the CD Writer, and give a message insert a blank CD, eventhough a blank CD is in the drive.

thethe wires have to run out of your cable box into the dvd recorder then back out to the tv,try rehooking it up

problem seems to be in most cases a flexible 'cable' between the recorder and the LCD screen...

It seems problem of defective ccd imager IC, please confirm is this DCR-HC18E model Sony camcorder to guide you further.

Does your camera playback old recordings fine? and just can't show live view to record?
If yes, then camera has problem of bad ccd imager and this part will be replaced.
Sony announced free of cost repair scheme for subject problem. DCR-HC20E is PAL system camera so Sony Support UK can be visited for free of cost repair details as your camera model is listed there.
If you live in different country, let me know to guide you further.
Thank you.

Can you see in eyepiece view finder while you in recording or this problem just with LCD?

Replace the ccd base assumbly and check.

the problem of your camera is the flexwire cable of the lcd monitor that why you don't see nothing in the panel,Also the message 'cover is not open' appears,while the cover is already opened the switch on cover have poor contact..it is not covered by sony service...it have to replace or repair that switch and flexwire cable....

hi, did you find a solution? i have in built freeview and have bought a recorder but i cant pick up any freeview channels on it. the dvd recorder is a Wharfedale DVDRHD400 cheers tom