[feffers]

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can help me with a problem that is driving me mad? I have recently built a new PC running Vista 32 bit and cant for the life of me manage to get it to recognise the above camcorder. I have read plenty of threads on this on several forums but none seem to reflect the exact issue that I am having.

PC Hardware for what it is worth is:

M3A32-MVP DELUXE motherboard
Phenom 9950 Quad Core BE
Saphire HD4870
4GB Ram

I have had my Sony Camcorder for a couple of years and have never really used it in anger. The few times I have had a go at video edditing (using Vegas) was when I connected the camcorder to my old Sony Vaio via Firewire on XP and generally didnt have any problems at all. I plugged in the cable, switched to play back mode and XP found new hardware instantly. The "Ilink connected" message appeared on the LCD screen of the camera.

The problem I am having with my new PC is that I plugged in the camera via firewire the first time and it made the "new hardware" *ding* noise but didnt get any further than that (no bubble saying found new hardware). The "Connected via Ilink" messaged appeared on the camcorder LCD once and once only!. I rebooted and tried again and then nothing. Now no *ding* when plugging in the Camcorder and no LCD message on the camcorder telling me it is connected.

I have tried two differant firewire expansion ports and two firewire cables so I am fairly sure it isnt PC based hardware\cable.

When plugging the Camcorder into the PC via USB Vista immediately recognises the Camera and installs drivers. I can then access the memory card without issue.

Im generally ok with troubleshooting tech problems but have really hit a brick wall with this one. I read somewhere that the firewire ports on the side of the camcorder themselves are prone to breaking however surely they arent that delicate!? I must have plugged in am ILink cable 3-4 times since I bought it!

Got married recently and really need to get the content from the device.

Any help would be much appreciated.


Thanks

[senu]

The only other way to find out if it is a "vista"?firewire problem is to try it on a PC running XP
If you are sure the firewire cable is fine, It may be the firewire port of the camcorder: they are not delicate but sadly they are not infallible either
Conventional wisdom says to connect the cable to PC first, then camcorder ( initially running off batteries)
look at the last entry in the FAQ

[glesgaguyav]

Have you checked System Properties to see if the IEEE1394 ports are enabled and working properly.
Also when you plug the cam in open Device Manager and check that it's not shown as an Unknown Device.
And the really simple question, have you set the cam to "play" mode ?

[feffers]

Thanks for the response Senu. I have a horrible feeling its the firewire port on the camera and suspect it is going to be pricey to repair. Ill duel boot with XP and also see if I can test it on a friends system.

Gutted if it is camcorder hardware. Cost me 800 when I bought it and like I say, only used it a hand full of times. Slightly irritating to then have to lump out another few hundred.

All the best

[feffers]

Originally Posted by glesgaguyav

Have you checked System Properties to see if the IEEE1394 ports are enabled and working properly.
Also when you plug the cam in open Device Manager and check that it's not shown as an Unknown Device.
And the really simple question, have you set the cam to "play" mode ?

Hi, Yup, Device manager reports that the IEEE1394 Bus host controller is functioning correctly. I uninstalled and updated with the latest drivers just in case but no luck. Tried playback mode. Used to work fine with my Sony Vaio so assumed it would be "new PC" build related....

[feffers]

Might be getting ahead of myself but just read:

"I've a pretty new HDR HC3 camcorder, PAL version.
Camera works fine but the connection to the PC via firewire stopped working. Replaced firewire card as well as firewire cable, and tried on a different PC - non worked. The PC does not recognize the camera as it should - and did in the past. Camera continues to work fine. I saw on the internt that the firewire circuit on the camera might be burnt. Has anyone run into this problem?"

Answer was basically, yes its a common problem and you need to replace the board at a cost of 300 Euros....

[glesgaguyav]

I know that the Canon HV20 was prone to the Firewire port being "fried" if it was Hot Plugged, I.E inserting the cable when the cam was turned on, and it was particularly prone when used on Self Built PC's where the voltages may be slightly unstable.
Could be this has happened with yours

[feffers]

Originally Posted by glesgaguyav

I know that the Canon HV20 was prone to the Firewire port being "fried" if it was Hot Plugged, I.E inserting the cable when the cam was turned on, and it was particularly prone when used on Self Built PC's where the voltages may be slightly unstable.
Could be this has happened with yours

It may well be as I have just plugged into a friends PC which recognises his camera and got absolutely nothing. Gutted.

Voltage should be stable on my PC. Using a 520W Coolermaster PSU and had no other issues. Im not actually sure how to check though! I never realised that you could fry a connection by the order that you plug the device in. That will teach me to rtfm!

God knows how much it will cost me to repair. Anyone know any reputable Camcorder repair places in London\South East?


Cheers

[Mr Lazy]

Originally Posted by feffers

Anyone know any reputable Camcorder repair places in London\South East?

Try this place:
DK Audio Visual Services

They repaired one of my camcorders a couple of years back and were very good. You can post the camera to them and they will post back. Authorised Sony service centre.

[feffers]

Thanks very much Mr.L. Ill check them out.