Well, it doesn't look like anybody was interested, but just in case somebody has the same problem some time in the future: after considerable digging I found out that Panasonic had a recall on some of the 3 ccd camcorders made in 2003/2004. Seems that the ccds are failing, and that is what thows the color off in record mode. After speaking to a support tech, they agreed to pick up the tab for the repairs. I have to ship it to a repair facility in Illinois, but they are paying for the repair and return shipping. It's been a bit of an imposition, but it's nice that I didn't get stuck with a big, fat repair bill. I'm glad that I didn't take it to a local shop. They would have had to do the same research I did, then probably charge me a gross amount for the repair, even though they would have gotten the repair done for free by Panasonic. That's the way things seem to work these days.