I have an HVR-Z1U camcorder that has been working fine until last week. The LCD icons work and it records sound but there is no image from the lens showing on the tape, lcd or viewfinder. It's as if the lens cover is closed. Any ideas of what could cause this? or how to fix it?

it's the flexible ribbon cable that feeds the LCD. Most likely to be the (leadless) solder that Sony's forced to use between PCB and ribbon these days. Shouldn't be an expensive repair.

Firewire connection not working I hope this helps you.

Sony HVR Z1u Reinsert The Tape Problem Repair
I hope this helps you out.

Hi rick, the same thing happens to my sony z1u...it turns off and then back on in playback mode...did you find a solution?

The Sony has had some problems with the LCD screen since models made about 2004, so if your camera was made since that time.

It could be either aperture is stuck or ccd imager chip is defective in your camcorder that will be replaced.
In bright light, look into camera lens, turn ON in camera mode and observe does aperture open like an eye?
If you notice some thing opens right in center of camcorder lens then aperture is working and ccd imager chip is bad that will be replaced.
Let me know model number of your Sony camcorder to provide you ccd imager part number info.
Thanks.

OK, it is known problem of CCD Imager chip failure in JVC GR-D33 camcorder and ccd imager will be replaced to get live view for recording, lens cap message will disappear as well.
JVC will repair your camcorder free of cost for same problem, click JVC CCD Imager Support for details.
Thanks.

HI,
There are 2 cables, Composite AV Cable and Component Video Cable, both are available in Part Store. Click above links to get price info.
Below an image of both cables for HVR-Z1U having part numbers.

there are two possible problem of your camera...one check the iris of the camera if it is opening,you will see it went you look inside the lens when you turn on camera mode....and if you see that the iris is opening...the second may be the ccd image sensor......if that is the problem you have no choice but to go the sony service for replacing the ccd image sensor...

You may have a problem with the image sensor device (CCD). From October 3, 2005 through October 2, 2007, Sony will repair, free of charge, affected products exhibiting the above-mentioned problem where it is caused by the image sensor device. Sony will also cover the cost of shipping and handling from and to addresses within the United States and US Territories for service to correct this issue. To see if you have this problem: Power On your camcorder (make sure the battery is fully charged). Check the LCD screen and verify that the display icons are turned on. If you cannot see the icons, press the Display button until the icons are visible. Put a tape in the camcorder. With the lens cap off, record some video. NOTE: Be sure to speak during the recording so the video will contain your voice. Rewind this section of the tape (using tape counter to verify start of your recording). Play back the recorded video and use the LCD screen on the camcorder to view it. You should hear the audio you recorded and the Display icons/text will still appear. If your camcorder is affected by this CCD issue, the picture will either be extremely distorted, or there will be no visible picture (just a blank LCD screen with the display icons still visible).