[BTomTom]

Please help.
I have a panasonic mini DV.
When I connect the firewire lead with camera in video playback mode, the laptop does not seem to receive the new hardware signal and so I am unable to download my video. The laptop software is Vista.
Any ideas what might be the problem or what to try?
Any help gratefully received.

[Andy98765]

Open Control panel. Select Device manager and does the IEEE1394 have a yellow or Red maker against it, or is the IEEE1394 missing?

[BTomTom]

Hi Andy

It reads IEEE 1394 Bus host controllers
Texas Instuments OHCI Compliant IEEE1394 host controller
It has neither a red or yellow marker against it?

[jaymac]

Panny advise with the pc and the cam Off connect the firewire then switch on the pc .Once that is loaded switch on the camcorder you need to have playback selected . Windows should then bleep new hard ware found and show a dialogue box asking which programme you want to open with .Assuming you have an editing programme installed other than windows movie maker .If none of this happens you need to try another cable on your cam . Or try your cam and cable on another pc .if none of this works and you have previously connected with all live you may have fried the firewire

[rickyt]

I use a panny miniDV conected by firewire and never had a problem BUT ,I'm using XP. Is the software your using vista compatable ? I know vista can be a pig with some older programs/printers etc , that is why a few folk I know got rid of it and went back to XP . What software are you using ??

[BTomTom]

Sorry for the delay. Broadband trouble!
Have tried connecting whilst both Cam and laptop are off and then turning on and to a laptop using XP. Nothing.
I will try a new Firewire today.
Any other suggestions are welcome.
Could anyone recommend a Vista compatible video software package (preferably free)?