PC does not recognize camera

[Heyde]

Hi everybody,

I have a Sony DCR-PC101 made in Japan and my PC does not recognize the câmera with the firewall cable (IE1394). At this time I have no more ideas what else can I do. When I put a Panassonic MiniDV câmera using the same cable the PC recognize it immediately and the capture is perfect. I´m using Adobe Premiere 6,5 or Pixela ImageMixer. The configuration of my computer is: ASUS A7N8X / AMD Athlon XP2600+ / NVidia GeForce FX5200 / WinXP Professional SP1. Thanks in advance. I´m dreaming with some help.

[joecav]

Well you've ruled out a faulty firewire card or cable. I would think the culprit is the camera itself. Have you ever been able to get your PC to see it? I would take it back and exchange it (if you recently purchased it) or get it serviced. I would say that with 99% confidence it is a camera issue, not PC, OS or peripheral related.

[Pachycephalic]

The problem can be the chipset used on the motherboard. Check out the previous post
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=175398&highlight=
which may give some insight. Not sure whether the problem was ever solved. I cheated and used an add-in firewire card.

[proxyx99]

That would indicate camara firewire port. You may try different cable (may have better pins contact). Otherwise, have it checked on a different computer/cable combo or by a service tech.

[mikesbytes]

Some cameras have the firewire port disabled. Go thru the camera menu and confirm that the firewire port is enabled for transfer out

[Heyde]

Thank´s to all for the attention . My PC had never be able to get it up till now. I can´t take the camera back because it was purchased in Japan and I´m from Brazil.
I´ve being checking the link you posted (Pachycephalic) and I´m shure it´s a possibility. The question is: Is it possible that the chipset recognize a Panassonic miniDV camera and do not my Sony? The other way I´m thinking is about the camera´s configuration – all the parameters are listed in japanese and I´m from Brazil!!! (it´s like we try to put a “sumo” fighter to dance “carnival” !!!) And the last possibility I´m thinking is about something wrong with the camera firewall port like a “cool solder” in this port. I´m thinking to open the camera and check the terminals of the firewall port. I don´t think it´s more difficult to do them an open heart surgery that I use to do and in this case the patient is absolutely quiet!!! By the way have you any idea where can I find an exploded view of the DCR-PC101? It´s so complicated for me to send it for a service repair. Thankyou everybody and I´m wating for some additional help.

[proxyx99]

Beside service centers you also have a "little guy" repair shops that may be able to help you inexpensively. Be4 that though, I would try diff. cable/PC setup.

[Pachycephalic]

Before you suspect the camera and cable check exactly how the PC recognises the firewire port. In my case the onboard firewire was incorrectly being identified as a network device and this is what was causing the problem. As I said in the other post I now use a separate firewire card and not the onboard device. May just be driver problems but not sure. Be very reluctant to get into camera depending on your experience. I am an experienced board level electronics repair technician and believe me you can do a lot of damage very easily. Good luck.

[lacywest]

Thank´s to all for the attention . My PC had never be able to get it up till now. I can´t take the camera back because it was purchased in Japan and I´m from Brazil.
And the last possibility I´m thinking is about something wrong with the camera firewall port like a “cool solder” in this port. I´m thinking to open the camera and check the terminals of the firewall port. I

Find a friend who has Firewire in his computer or go to a computer store or Mini DV selling store.

Are you sure you want to open the camera ...

and its ... Firewire ... not Firewall ... a Firewall is what we have in our computers to prevent outside hackers from gaining access to our computer system.

[mikesbytes]

Its unlikely to be hardware issue with the camera.
1. Did you confirm that the camera's firewire link is switched on in the camera's menu
2. Try the camera in someone elses computer
3. Try another piece of software. You may find that the other software will drop a driver on the PC that will bring it to life.
4. If the firewire port is on the motherboard, you might as well try inserting a 1594 firewire card. What this would do is enable different software drivers. However if another camera already works, then it is unlikely to be the port.
5. Check the camera is in VCR mode and manually push play, perhaps the software is not working the controls.
6. Try a simple capture program. WinDV is great and free.
Good luck