Camcorder not detected on PC-Panasonic PV-GS39

[skumar]

Hello,

I am new to this forum. I have read lot of threads in this forum regarding capture problems and SP2 and firewire problems. I don't know exactly the problem in my case.

Camcorder: Panasonic PV-GS39
Bought : April, 2006
Video transfer: Firewire port, IEEE1394

My camcorder worked good so far, I could able to capture video using Nero 6 and MS movie maker. Now,my PC is not detecting the camcorder. I have checked my system configuration after reading a thread, and I have XP SP-2. In another thread, a guy posted the following:

"I have the PV-GS39 and have had terrible problems with the Firewire connection. There was an addendum sheet stuck in my owners manual that warned that the firewire connection should only be connected while both the camera and computer were powered off. The computer was to be started first and then the camera. Only then is it safe to start to capture or the firewire port can short out. Sure enough, I didn't look at the sheet until my firewire port on the camera shorted, and none of my computers could see the camera. I spent a bunch of time with Panasonic on the phone to get them to pay for the labor on the repair. Once I received the repaired unit it only took 4 weeks before the firewire port shorted out again.

Bottom line seems to be that this line of Panasonic cameras has a design flaw on the firewire connection. I won't even try to get this repaired again.

I have plugged firewire with my PC on and then switched on the camcorder. I am sure, I did this before also and it worked fine in past.
Now, is it the SP2 problem or the DV port got shorted out??? I cannot figure out.
I hate to take the camcorder to the repair center. They charge hefty amount for repair. Instead I would buy a new one. Anyone experienced this problem? Any suggestions or opinions are welcome.

thanks for everyone helping each other.

[skumar]

Is there any way to check if the DV port on camcorder fired or not? Repair centers charge big amount for diagnosis. Please suggest any feasible way to check the DV port. thanks.

[jbitakis]

Hi, I have a very similar problem with my panasonic pv-gs14 camcorder-my computer not recognizing my firewire when I try to transfer video. I bought a new firewire cable. Still does not work. My computer does not even recognize my camcorder. I went and tried to trasfer video using another computer and that computer does not recognize the dv device too. I bought this camcorder off of ebay, used for $76, but still I expected the firewire to work more than the 1rst time I used it. It worked the 1rst time and then no more. I can't even remember the sequence of which I turned on 1rst, camcorder or pc,. I never heard any sound and it did work perfectly that one time.

Fortunately, I can get the video off the cam and on to my pc using an analog usb2 capture device. I plug 1 end into the av out from cam and the other ports into the capture device and from the capture device is a usb2 cable that connects to my pc. It works but is not as crystal clear as the firewire transferred video.
I just bought a dvd recorder and am gonna transfer my video directly to a dvd(using av-out port on cam) now-will see how it works and how clear it is. The dvd recorder has a dv input as well. Will see if that works too.
I am at wits end about this stupid firewire transfer problem. I wonder if this is mainly a panasonic problem and if so, for which camcorders.
James