Firewire 'port' doesn't seem to work.

[TimBooth4Eva]

I'm trying to transfer from my Sony HC24 MiniDV camcorder to my PC using a firewire cable.

Whichever program I open to facilitate the transfer, the device (Sony cam) isn't recognised.

I've had a 'play' around, turning it on and off etc but to no avail.

The Control Panel Device Manager says that the device (firewire port) is working correctly!

Any ideas what I can try?

Thanks in advance

[guns1inger]

In order of preference, test

1. Your camera in another port (if you have more than one)
2. Another camera in the same port
3. Another cable with your camera in the same port

What software have you tried ?

[TimBooth4Eva]

In order of preference, test

1. Your camera in another port (if you have more than one)
2. Another camera in the same port
3. Another cable with your camera in the same port

What software have you tried ?

Thanx for your time guns1inger,

I have two firewire ports, tried them both.
I don't have another device that uses firewire.
I only have the one cable which I purchased (via the internet) this morning, so being brand new should be okay!

I have tried Ulead and Windows Movie Maker.

In Control Panel, Network Connections, the firewire port is shown as connected, enabled and working properly!!

[guns1inger]

Try WinDV

Also, check that your camera is set to DV out. Although regardless these programs should see it because they can also send video back to the camera.

[TimBooth4Eva]

Okay will try that but I don't think changes are needed, I think the cam should recognise it.

I'll get back sometime tomorrow, thanks again for trying!!

[edDV]

Why do you think that? Are other IEEE-1394 devices working fine and this camcorder is the only one?

If the ports are on the motherboard delete the driver and let it reinstall on reboot. If on a PCI card, try switching slots. That will force a driver reinstall.

To isolate the camcorder as defective, borrow another and see if that works.

[TimBooth4Eva]

Why do you think that? Are other IEEE-1394 devices working fine and this camcorder is the only one?

If the ports are on the motherboard delete the driver and let it reinstall on reboot. If on a PCI card, try switching slots. That will force a driver reinstall.

To isolate the camcorder as defective, borrow another and see if that works.

I've deleted the driver, rebooted and WinXP reinstalled but still doesn't work.

I will have to find a mate to try my cable/cam on his PC.

FYI I checked the Camcorder's functions in which there is a 'burn dvd' option but it is always greyed out!

[oldandinthe way]

Camera/cable/firewire port compatibility problems are common.

I obtain open box returns from a bigbox store. Lots of firewire ports and cables. All checkout as working.

Buy another firewire card and try it. And a new cable too.

[TimBooth4Eva]

Camera/cable/firewire port compatibility problems are common.

I obtain open box returns from a bigbox store. Lots of firewire ports and cables. All checkout as working.

Buy another firewire card and try it. And a new cable too.

Thanx for the good news.......not, old guy LOL

[TimBooth4Eva]

I couldn't wait for my new card/cable to come via post so I went out and bought new.

After all the hassle I've had, it turns out that all that was wrong was my 'new' cable had been defective.

I bought a new firewire card c/w cable and installed them. Started up straight away on boot up.

I tried the latest cable (that came with the firewire card) and that worked on my old f/w card too.

Tried my original cable and it would not with either!

The card new card/cable only cost £12 so that implication is okay and the one I ordered off the internet is only £6 so a total of £18 out of pocket really isn't too bad.

So all in all, as I say, it was the cable at fault even though it was brand new.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

[turk690]

This should answer the question why there are $5 cables on one hand and $50 gold-plated connectored ones on the other.

[edDV]

This should answer the question why there are $5 cables on one hand and $50 gold-plated connectored ones on the other.

I've got about a dozen IEEE-1394 Firewire cables. Some were first generation (1998) and cost $50. Most came bundled with motherboards, DVD burners and external hard drives. The long ones (12-15 feet) I purchased for under $20.

All of them work. There is no difference in performance. Same goes for all my USB cables.

The bad cable experiences have been with IDE ribbons, VGA, Molex power and S-Video (bent or broken pins).