Example at http://www.b-hague.co.uk/Remote_camcorder_control.htm
LANC is not dead.
Bob
Do you know of any camcorders that you can use the remote control unit from directly behind the camera.
I find it hard to believe that this is not being put into camcorders as a normal working feature.
When I am working close up with wild birds,eg, the birds are a few metres from the front of the camera and I am sat frozen a few metres behind the camera, this would make filming them so much easier to zoom in and out by not frightening them away as I try to move around to the working angle of remote control.Or try to slowly move up to camera's zoom button without startling them.
Of course it would be a huge benefit to be able to also start/stop the camera from directly behind.
I have experimented with placing reflective surfaces in front of the camera and it works by bouncining the remote signal back.
But that isn't always practical..

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic