GX7 and Pinnacle wont talk to each other - help please!

[Dartmoor Birder]

I've just found this site and hope that one of you can help on a rather basic problem. I've connected the PC via the firewire into DV socket under the handstrap of the Panasonic GX7, turned the camcorder on to VCR mode (play) and asked Pinnacle 9 to capture and it just doesn't recognise anything - what am I doing wrong please?

 

[laser]

If you haven't done so already, launch Pinnacle first and then switch the camcorder on.

Havign hte camcorder connected and turned on first sometimes confuses Windows and/or Pinnacle into not recognising the camcorder.

If that doesn't work try a new firewire cable. You sohuld be able to pick one up cheaply for £3 to £5. Faulty cables are quite a common problem.

Are you using Windows XP, preferably with SP1 or SP2. Windows 98 should work but might be iffy with a newish camcorder.

 

[Dartmoor Birder]

Thanks for replying. Just tried turning on Pinnacle first but no luck.

I've just got a new computer with XP - don't know about SP1 or 2 would I need to download them from Microsoft?

The Video is about three years old DV in and out - I did edit it once years ago but can't remember whether there are other settings I need to chose before it works (the instruction books don't mention editing!).
Last year when recording it frequently locked up and had to be reset so could something have given up in the camera?

At the moment I just think I must be missing something simple. Aaaagh!

 

[laser]

There are no settings on a camcorder for firewire. It should be just be a case of plugging the firewire cable into the camcorder and connecting the other end to the PC.

If you have ruled out a cabling problem, is there anyone you know with a PC and firewire card so you can rule out the camcorder and PC as the problem.