There is a forum on
http://www.camerahacker.com/Forums/DisplayComments.php?file=Video%20Camera/Sony/Sony_DCR-TRV18_-_Error_Code.
you will see that a lot of people around the world temporarily solve the problem by smacking the camera. Don't do that, as the problem mostly is caused by a small rubber roll that is luckily put back into place by samcking. Better please read the input of Ahmed Jasim: Just scroll down to Tue, 09 Jan 2007 12:24:32 -0800
Worked perfectly for me.
Harry, May 2009