Firewire DV tape reader?

Horve · 11-10-2007, 3:22 PM

The firewire output from my CanonMv750i has stopped working, this has happened to two other Canon Camcorders I have had. I sent them away to be repaired but I don't want to do that again.

I am thinking of buying a HDD camcorder which I think connects to PCs using USB connectors, in the meantime I have several tapes I want to transfer to my PC, can I buy a device that will read a DV tape and transfer it to a PC using firewire?, something like a card-reader for cameras but plays/reads DV tapes instead?

redsox_mark · 11-10-2007, 3:25 PM

You can, but they are not common and very expensive (hundreds of pounds). You'd be better off buying a cheap DV camcorder to use with your existing tapes. (e.g. Canon MD101).

bsuttie · 11-10-2007, 3:28 PM

That would be called a deck, but is likely to cost more than a domestic camera as they're generally professional units. e.g. Sony DSR11

If it's just a few tapes why not just borrow a camera?

regards

Brian

Horve · 11-10-2007, 3:41 PM

Thanks for quick answers I think I will just buy that Canon MD101 camcorder which is less than £150 from Amazon.can

Again thanks for your help.

hopthepond · 11-10-2007, 4:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horve

Thanks for quick answers I think I will just buy that Canon MD101 camcorder which is less than £150 from Amazon.can

Again thanks for your help.

Wouldnt it be better buying something other than Canon if youve had 3 with the same fault!?

MarkE19 · 11-10-2007, 4:24 PM

If damage to the firewire output on camcorders is a common problem for you then I would think you have a dodgy firewire port on your PC. Therefore I would seriously recommend getting a PCI firewire card (~£10) and using that instead - you wont want to damage your brand new Canon MD101

Mark.

redsox_mark · 11-10-2007, 4:53 PM

And also be careful when connecting.... you should connect the cable to the PC first, then to the camcorder. Doing it the other way around can cause static buildup to zap the camcorder port.

Horve · 11-10-2007, 6:24 PM

@MarkE19 I changed from the motherboard firewire port to a new PCI card the first time this happened, the second time I bought a Soundcard with Firewire now I'm on another PCI card.This is a self built computer with no other problems, at one point I thought because I was overclocking the computer including upping some of the voltages this was the problem, but I still had the problem after returning all voltages to stock.

I think I just need to be really careful plugging the wires in and out.

@hopthepond LOL.... yes that did cross my mind I may have to go over to the dark side and buy Sony or Panasonic

Thanks for all replys.