Multiple camera firewire ports getting fried!

[tinapeg82]

I teach TV Production and in my classroom we have 4 computers and 6 cameras.

Over the past year, I've had 3 different cameras become unusable for capturing - a Canon XL1, a Sony DCR-TRV900, and a Canon ZR100.

I believe it is their firewire ports because I've tried them all on all the computers and no computer will even recognize one of these cameras. Yet they will recognize the other cameras.

Why does this keep happening? I read in one place that they can get fried if you unplug the cable without turning the camera off. Is it something that simple?

If it is the firewire ports, approximately how much would it cost to replace them?

[Marvingj]

1394 is defined as "hot pluggable." That means when you add a new device, the 1394 bus automatically recognizes it. Similarly, when a device is disconnected, the bus automatically reconfigures itself. The flaw with firewire, it could fry the components. Isolators do not solve anything, but maybe reducing the risk a little, and obviously hot swapping firewire may cause a problem, and it has, for most people. My advise was better safe then sorry. You can get a Siig 3-port FireWire IEEE 1394 PCI card for about $30. It is easy to replace, pop in pop out.

[tinapeg82]

I don't understand...why would I replace the computer's firewire port when it's my camera port that's fried?

[edDV]

I don't claim the answer but it would seem to me that a ground floating camcorder won't get zapped but a camcorder connected to other equipment exposes the IEEE-1394 port to absorb DC or static potential. I know I get a physical static shock touching such equipment.

[aedipuss]

the cams probably suffered the same fate as some laptops i've repaired. the "port" is just a metal housing soldered directly to the circuit board. any impact is liable to break it free - as in a cam tipping over on a hard surface with the cable plugged in.

i don't know if cam ports can be fixed but i doubt it would be cheap, they are not easy to open and there is no space to spare in the housing.

[Marvingj]

I assume you were talking about your firewire not camera port. I agree with edDV comment.

[Marvingj]

Oh Yea, camera port can be fixed but it is not worth fixing very, very expensive....

[tinapeg82]

Hmm...I never have the cameras plugged into other equipment, so I'm not sure that's the cause.

Them tipping over could be it, but I doubt that it's happened to all 3 of them.

[aedipuss]

how many kids handle them and how careful are they? if they dropped one would they tell you? i've worked with a lot of wonderful kids but as for working with fragile equipment..... if it were me i'd plan in the budget to replace 50% of the cams each year.

[edDV]

Consider getting one of these to transfer your DV format tapes and support editing. That keeps the camcorders out in the field shooting.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-GV-D900-MiniDV-VCR-Video-Walkman-5-5-LCD-Screen_W0QQitemZ2301...QQcmdZViewItem

[dun4cheap]

Yeah, but if your going to spend that kind of money, but a canon HV10 or 20 and leave it by the desk hooked up. It will record the DV, HDV and also A1, A2, A3, A4 for less and it will be new.

[tinapeg82]

Wouldn't it be possible for these decks' ports to get fried also?

[dun4cheap]

Well to begin with, I would suspect another problem. Some how voltage is being crossed over which is what is probably causing the propblem. Maybe an indication of a bad ground, or power supply. In all of my years I have not seen any firewire or usb device fried from being connected or disconnected if everything is working properly.

[aedipuss]

you keep saying fried, but a non working port doesn't mean it's "fried" as in some electrical zap. just wiggling a cable with too much force can break the port.

[tinapeg82]

dun4cheap - We do have a lot of things plugged into only a few outlets. We have one back-up battery and a few power strips, but all the computers and their parts are going in to only a few outlets.

aedipuss - I keep saying "fried" because in my mind it's the only possibility, considering how it keeps happening to each camera in the same exact way.

I forgot to mention that last year we also had a camera get completely messed up, where the whole internal imaging device or whatever seemed to be fried and would cost $900 to replace. That's why I keep thinking it's a power issue.

[aedipuss]

then stop using 6 pin to four pin cables and switch to 4 pin to 4 pin. they are unpowered.

[tinapeg82]

Our computers only have 6 pin ports.

[aedipuss]

the 4 pin end isn't powered anyway. it only has the 4 data lines. unless there is a short or bent pins in the 6 pin end of the port there is no power in the cable. use a flashlight and look in the ports. if all the contacts are straight and there is insulator separating them there can be no power to the 4 pins at the camera end.

you can add a 4 pin front panel adapter like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817270007

or install 4 pin firewire cards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815108108

[dun4cheap]

The 6 pint to 4 pin cable should not be a problem since the power is not sent to the 4 pin side unless you have a bad cable. I personally think you either have a bad ground, bad power supply in your case, or a bad motherboard in your case.

[tinapeg82]

Ok...thank you all for your help!!!