I can play back and view videos but cannot get a recording done. The LCD screen remains black although the REc button comes on during recording, the play back of this new recording is black.

Possibly dirty or dead video recording head. If cleaning wont help then most likely repair is not cost effective. Save your video tape collection to digital format before unit expires.

Press the power button.

Aim the camera at the subject.

Do not touch the microphone while recording.
Sounds such as from pressing buttons will be recorded in
the movie.


Press the movie button to shoot.the movie button is towards the right of the view lens.
Recording starts.
During recording, the elapsed
recording time and [ Rec.] will
display in the LCD monitor.


Press movie button again to stop recording.

Sounds as though the imager may have failed but make sure you are in video postion instead of memory mode. Little switch behind the lcd screen. Larry's Electronics

Most likely, you having problem with IRIS motor that stuck, the other possibility, CCD (imaging IC) went bad.

How to Record:
1. Make sure HOLD switch (on side of unit with pocket clip) is set to off position (slide to right is off - to left would be hold)
2. For best results set unit with mic(rophone) which is on top of unit toward sound source and press REC/STOP button (Top button on front of unit just below LCD display). Recording will begin and will be indicated on LCD display.
> Red Record LED will be on and the message number, recording time will be displayed on the LCD.
3. To stop recording, press REC/STOP button one time.
* If no other buttons are pressed within 1 minute at stop position, it will power off automatically.
4. Pause during recording by simply pressing MODE/PAUSE button- press button again to resume.

There is a Voice Operated System (VOS) Recording button on left side also. You can record with voice activation to conserve recording space but I have found that you lose a portion of the recorded sound as it activates and if there is no sound for a very few minutes the unit powers off and you will get nothing further recorded. I recomend just keeping VOS in off position.

5. To erase a recording: Select the message number you want to erase and while it is stopped (the message number will appear in LCD with the length of recording showing also)
Press and hold the ERASE button until the LCD begins blinking "ERASE" then, while it's blinking simply press the erase button again and the recording will be erased.

6. To play back a recorded message find your message by "toggling" the switch on the right side of the unit that says INDEX. That switch is the fast forward/reverse play etc. To Play simply push the switch in. This button/switch takes a little practice to use but the Play portion is straight forward. Use the front buttons to pause and stop during playback.

Hope this helps.

can't record on the my Olympus VN-1000
+ I press rec button and it just shows rec in display (no recording time is shown ONLY rec)
+ there is no play back  or stop function

+ i can only stop  rec by removing batteries (stop or play will stop rec only ONCE - but there is no  useful function - such as play or stop or rec.)
+ I tried all trouble shooting tips in manual  with no effect 
+  i cleaned the spring contacts inside battery compartment that interface with the  batteries
+ it was barely used - and has not been used for a 1 year ( no batteries were inside it )     it was inside a drawer
THANK YOU 

sir , the lcd flap of the camera has been spoilr\ed due to this the image is not coming on lcd , only u have to take the image through view fider , lcd fpc has to be changed / repaire u can contact me also [email protected]

mostly this is the result of defective or dirty video head. simply clean the video head by using head cleaning cassette. If it solves the problem, well, but if the problem remains contact the vendor.

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).

Videos with sound is possible or you can record sound memos as well

Recording and Playing Sound Memos
You can record and play back sound memos for your photos while you view them on the LCD screen.
1. Turn the Mode dial to playback mode.
2. Press the MENU button. Playback Menu 1 is displayed.
3. Select Sound Memo by using the u d buttons, then press the r button.
4. Press the OK button and then start recording.
5. When you are finished recording, press the OK button. You can play or delete the sound memo or record
a new memo.
6. Press the MENU button twice to exit the menu.
When you play back a photo that includes a sound memo, the icon appears on the screen. Press the OK
button to play the sound.
Note:
You must have at least one photo saved to record a sound memo.