Computer not recognizing DV Camera

[Heart Of Agape]

I have a Sony DCR-TRV 240. Pinnacle Studio 9 Software.
Up to one week ago I was able to transfer video to my laptop using a 1394 cable. Now, the computer is not recognizing the camera.

FYI, the same camera works on my desktop without any problem.

Help please
Thanks

[JohnnyMalaria]

It sounds like you may have damaged the Firewire port on the laptop.

Some things to try:

With the camcorder turned OFF, connect it to your laptop.
Turn the camcorder ON.
Do you hear the computer make a 'ba-dip' sound?

If so, then at least it is recognizing something being plugged in. Look in My Computer for a folder called "Sony DV Camcorder" or similar. If it is there, then the computer is recognizing the existence of the camcorder.

[Heart Of Agape]

Thanks for responding JohnnyM

I don't hear the sound you described.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Oh. That doesn't bode well, I'm afraid.

Can you recall if it used to? By default, Windows XP makes that sound whenever you connect a piece of hardware.

Is the laptop's Firewire port built into the system or do you have a PCMCIA card?

[Heart Of Agape]

Yes, it worked up to a week ago and yes, the Firewire port is built into the system.

[Steve Stepoway]

FYI, the same camera works on my desktop without any problem.

Using the same cable? (Hoping for the simplest failure first.)

Steve

[Heart Of Agape]

No. The cable for the laptop is different. It's a 2m IEEE 1394 FireWire® 4-pinM/4-pinM Cable. Unlike the desktop cable, this one has the same size on both ends. Looks like this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2260838&cp=&origkw=%22firewire+c...entPage=search

[JohnnyMalaria]

Typically, desktops have 6-pin female sockets.

I was going to suggest that you try connecting the laptop and the desktop together via the 6-pin/4-pin cable to see if XP on both recognizes the other (XP can create networks via Firewire connections). I hesitated to do so since, *if* the laptop's port is damaged, it could damage the desktop's (better safe than sorry!)

Steve's suggestion is very wise - try a different 4-pin/4-pin cable first.

Alternatively, if you have a PCMCIA slot, you can get inexpense Firewire cards that will suit.

[Heart Of Agape]

Hey guys...... Guess what? I have some bad news and some good news.
First the good news: On a whim I went into msconfig and disabled most of the programs that were starting up. Presto!! The camera was recognized after I did that.
Now the bad news: By the process of elimination the culprit was identified as the much ballyhooed Roxio Media Creator 9 Suite. I guess it did not want to co-exist with Pinnacle

Thanks for the collective input. You guys were great ..(and patient with me)

[edDV]

Roxio? Pinnacle?
nuf said.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Now the bad news: By the process of elimination the culprit was identified as the much ballyhooed Roxio Media Creator 9 Suite.

That's outrageous! From what you have described, Roxio stomped all over your system and disabled even the most basic functionality re. hardware detection.

Anyhoo, glad you resolved it AND your hardware is intact.

FWIW, I've boycotted Roxio ever since Windows 2000 - they wouldn't offer a free upgrade for Easy CD Creator at that time from Win9x.

[p_l]

Yup, stay away from Roxio.

[Dr. DOS]

Ditto regarding Roxio ... Does V9 still want to re-encode compliant mpegs? It did with V6

[Heart Of Agape]

Thanks everyone, I am doing real good as of now.

[rocinbaja]

Hi All,

I have a similar problem. Today I connected (for the first time) my Canon ZR70 MC to my new ADS Pyro 64 PCI Firewire card on my desktop, with a new cable, and it sees the card just fine, but not the camera. I tried to update drivers for the card through the windows update drivers deal but it didn't find any. I didn't try to update through ADS.

When I start the computer up with the camera connected and turned on, the computer appears sluggish, then reboots itself after a minute or two. When I turn on the camera after the computer is on, it doesn't do anything nor recognize the camera. I downloaded Win DV but it can't find the camera.

Any help appreciated,

Roc

[festmaster]

My computer stopped recognizing the firewire port on my Panasonic camcorder as I tried to upload my Thanksgiving video. I have had Roxio 8 on that machine since before it was introduced (I was on the beta team and got a free copy). Two other computers also fail to recognize the camera. When I went back to the camera manual I found an addendum sheet that warned that the computer and camcorder both had to be turned off before the firewire cable gets connected or the power from the cable can short out the camera connection. Great! I never would have assumed to follow that procedure. The camera is still under warranty and still takes video, so I will wait until after Christmas to try to get it repaired.

Anyone else hear of firewire ports shorting out? I would guess that Panasonic didn't expect it to happen as the warning is only on the addendum.