[strake]

I'm really sorry if this has been asked before..I have searched..promise!

I have an HV20 and have tried to connect to my "all singing-all dancing" Vaio AR61m without any luck at all. I have tried both IEEE and HDMI connection but when opening either Pinnacle or Adobe Premiere, I get the same message..."data capture device offline"

I've checked the menu settings but can't see anything wrong. I'm stumped...can anyone help..please?

[senu]

Firstly, forget the HDMI
Firewire is it
Secondly.. are you sure it isnt a cable problem?
Thirdly.. If you are trying to capture as HDV.. Adobe Premiere may not see it
Similar for Pinnacle Studio if using Ver 9 or below

You can
Try it on another PC
Change the cable
Look at how the DV out is configured ...Is it as HDV or DV?

Just a few thoughts
HTH

[strake]

Thanks for such a quick reply senu.

OK, I'll forget the HDMI...I was trying to use it because I thought somewhere in the Sony manual it suggested it could be used.

It might well be a cable problem although it is new and bought for the job. I'm not very up on cables but my previous IEEE cable had a flatter plug going into the computer...I bought the new one because the Sony does not appear able to take that kind of plug.

Output is configured for either HDV or DV.

Not sure that it is a software problem as we're not really getting that far. The computer does not even recognise a connection is there.

I'll keep trying....

[senu]

Originally Posted by strake

It might well be a cable problem although it is new and bought for the job. I'm not very up on cables but my previous IEEE cable had a flatter plug going into the computer...I bought the new one because the Sony does not appear able to take that kind of plug.
..

How do you mean? Firewire cables are standard ( sonys in fact) although they call it i-link
There are the 4-pin or 6 pin "ends" not flatter or otherwise AFAIK, unless your cable isnt making contact due to the thickness of plastic covering trying to plug into a reccesed socket..
The 4 pin goes into the camcorder , Laptops have 4 pin as well , Desktops may have either though more commonly 6 pin

[redsox_mark]

The 6 pin plugs look "flatter" (as they are more oblong), than the 4 pin which is more square. Though you are probably right that the 6 pin plug is just as thick...

[strake]

Here are the two types of firewire cable..the former was my original but will not fit the Sony. The second is the one I now have.

http://www.planetmicro.co.uk/upload/...00/M001301.jpg

http://www.jinco.com/shop/images/CB10E4991XC.jpg

[senu]

interesting
The first looks like a bog standard 6 pin to 4 pin and the second . Im not sure at all
Does the second fit into the camcorder easily?
It looks like a the 9 pin to 9 pin 1394b type.. Im not sure that will fit into the Canon even if it does the Sony..
The Sony specs state it has a 4pin sockect
Might be this you need
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...e-4-4_1.8m.jpg
or
http://www.jinco.com/shop/index.php?...image&pID=6379
from the same site you linked
With which PC did you use the first?

[strake]

Both those "ends" look like the cable I have apart from the fact that, on closer examination, I can't see the pins inside the plugs..strange..

My previous computer was a Mesh.

I thinkit's probably time to take the whole thing to a specialist outlet.

[senu]

Well I think you have a 9 pin to 9 pin IEEE 1394b cable rather than a 4 pin to 4 pin one
Your Mesh would have needed a 4 pin ( camcorder ) to 6 pin ( PC)
On the photographs your doesnt seem to have a normal "hollow"
This is a 9 pin to 4 pin
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA280_.jpg

[strake]

Yep, you are right about the Mesh but I;m sure I now have a 4 to 4. I'm going to take the whole thing into the office tomorrow and let the computer guys take a look...

[chrishull3]

The firewire on my VAIO VGN-FZ11Z is a 6 pin the same as camcorders.The machine is not my favorite sony equipment by a long shot hateful keypad,but it does its job in the BLUE RAY dept

[strake]

As people were so helpful on here, I thought I would give an update as to what I think has happened.

To recap, we have two Canon mini dv camcorders, neither of which seemed able to output through Firewire to a PC. We fiddled around, changed cables, changed computers but nothing worked. In the end, I decided to buy a camcorder off Ebay for £40. When it arrived, I plugged it into my Sony AR61m and....fantastic, all was well. The next day, my wife got ready to download the tapes into Pinnacle 8 which is on our Mesh desktop computer...in the past, until the problem, we have made some very nice dvd's using this system.
Anyway, imagine her disappointment when the old message "camera not ready" came up. I then plugged the camera back into my Sony and there it was again..."camera not found".
It is now obvious that somehow the Mesh desktop is zapping the dv output in the camera. I now have three camcorders that in all other respects are perfect but cannot output images because of the b*****d Mesh computer.
What's more annoying is that the only solution is to buy yet another mini dv camcorder and try again.
Off to Ebay........

[senu]

Sorry about that
Have a read
Firewire..does it wreck a camcorder?

[strake]

<Sorry about that
Have a read
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=476761>

(Groan) I guess I just didn't search properly in the first place.
That thread certainly describes my problems. I have to say that there is nothing in any of the operating manuals about switching off and on before connecting. However, I've learnt my lesson........

[David McMahon]

Does anyone have a service manual for the VGN-AR61M ? I'm trying to get the part number for the ethernet/modem plug near the right hand screen hinge, some of the pins in the network connection are snapped

Also if anyone has that header for sale, im me or post eBay link please