Sony Handycam black screen.

Hi, i have a Sony HandyCam (DCR-HC20 NTSC). I haven't used it in a while and just took it out to record my brothers play that he was in. When i turned it on and tried to record all i get is a black screen. All the display options are there like the menu, STBY, time, battery, and battery info. Even when i hit the record button it says its recording but i get no picture from the LCD screen or the view finder. It's like the cover on the video camera is closed permanently or something. I switched the cover on and off and nothing happens except for a message on the LCD saying the cover is on. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: It turns out that Sony has had this problems with a bunch of these camcorders so they are offering to fix it for me free of charge and pay for shipping to.. So problem solved.