I have read in manual that you shoulld first turn off power from PC then connect firewire cable to pc (because of satic electircy) then to camcorder, after this you need to turn on pc and when its booted turn on camcorder.

This precaution is really nececary, can i just plug in camcorder without turning PC off, someone ever had trouble when doing so?

[redsox_mark]

I've not experienced it myself (but I do follow the guidelines), but we've seen stories of many people experiencing failed Firewire ports on their camcorders. It is best to follow those guidelines.

[jaymac]

Panasonic's advise connect cable and cam with power off to both then switch pc on then cam.Reverse for disconnect.I leave my cable connected to the pc and connect the cam when needed occasionally whilst PC on .The fact some get away or ignore this wont compensate if you fry it

Originally Posted by jaymac

I leave my cable connected to the pc and connect the cam when needed occasionally whilst PC on.

I dont think leaving cable in PC makes much change, i still first touching cable with finger to to remove static electricy before pluging it in camera, when PC is off, i think same will work when pc is on.

[robieboy]

HI.
Always keep firewire cable connected to computer or you may end up like I did.I inserted 6pin end of cable the wrong way round due to socket getting a bit slack,and believe me it can go in the wrong way round.The result is a damaged firewire camera connection.As camera (Panasonic NV-7) was 5yrs old it was more economicale to buy a new camera(Panasonic GRS-400) even though the rest of camera was working o/k.
I sometimes have computer on but always have camera off when connecting firewire cable to camera.
After editing project I export back to DV tape (to keep as a master copy).Then I burn to disc useing another firewire cable(4pin either end) connected between camera and a Panasonic DVD Recorder.When disc is full I finalise it on the DVD recorder.Camera and DVD recorder are always off until cable is connected.
Hope this might help someone not to make my mistake.

Robieboy

[senu]

Originally Posted by VideoCamGuy

I dont think leaving cable in PC makes much change, i still first touching cable with finger to to remove static electricy before pluging it in camera, when PC is off, i think same will work when pc is on.

Have a read
Firewire..does it wreck a camcorder?

[jaymac]

Quite agree Senu hence my Caveat
''The fact some get away or ignore this wont compensate if you fry it

[chrishull3]

in 11 years with dv and hdv the firewire is left in the plug at the back of my pc,when changing cameras i switch the camera off before pulling the cam end of the firewire out,the replacement camera will bong when switched on,but it is only a hadfull of times this has been done as usually the camera to be used will be connected before starting the pc but when cams are changed i have no problems as long the cam is switched off[lucky i dont know]there must be official manafacture feed on this .my mauals say connect to pc first but no mention of the pc having to be off.

[jaymac]

'']there must be official manafacture feed on this '' there is with panasonic as I said