Ok long story short, my GL1 was working perfectly fine and mid way through recording it just stopped and turned off. I tried taking it apart just too see and gave up half way through.

Anyone?

these folks repaired a camera for me that canon factory service said was unrepairable-- they were quick and fairly reasonable ,too:

http://www.videoonerepair.com/index.htm

Not much that is user-serviceable in these camcorders. Specialized technical equipment and skills are needed. In general, Canon will support maintenance/repair for seven years after a model of camcorder is discontinued. The GL1 will reach that 7-year date in Summer 2009 (?), and that is not all that far in the future anymore. (Gads, the GL2 has had a long market life hasn't it!)

As noted, third party support may be the answer, but given the cost of labor vs. a new (or used-but-in-good-condition) camcorders, one can not afford to put much time into a repair before buying a replacement machine is the better approach.