Well, Bummer. I finally got my XL1S after much delay. I finally got my tapes. I finally read the manual enough to feel ready to start my first filming. But the camera "says" I don't have a tape loaded even though I do.

I am using Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ miniDV tapes. I have made sure that the Save/Record tab is in the Record position. I have made sure that the tape is properly seated in the cassette compartment. I have tried two different tapes. I have the power turned to Easy Recording. I still get the flashing red crossed out cassette symbol in the viewfinder that tells me I don't have a tape loaded.

Any ideas?

Did you close the inner (metallic) door as well as the outer (plastic) door?

That was the answer! Thanks much!

(Boy, do I feel like an idiot.)

It happens to the best of us... Don't worry, the XL1 can be an
intimidating machine.

To let you in on a little secret: I have my camera for over a year
now. The other day I was trying to get 4 channel audio to work.
But I could not get any signal on the second stereo channel.
Next day I saw a small connector on the side: audio 2
Perhaps it would have been better if I had put my audio cables
in there...

Oh well...