Devices to replace camcorder

[better life]

Hello: I just realize my firewire output from my Panasonic DV camcorder is not working. How do I know? I changed the IEEE 1394 card and cable, used it with other device but not my camcorder, then I borrowed my friend's Panasonic DV camcorder which is the same model to try, it worked fine.
Here my question:
Is there any DV playback device beside a camcorder that has an IEEE output?
Please advise! I need to make a DVD for my brothers soon.

[gadgetguy]

Definately sounds like your camcorder is hosed, unless there's a setting somewhere that disables the port. Can you borrow your friend's camcorder again?

To directly answer your question, yes there are such devices, but they generally cost as much as a new camcorder so you're better off buying a new one and getting the full benefits.

[turk690]

I have an old Panasonic NV-DS28 camcorder whose FireWire also stopped working. Like you, I also swapped parts of the chain like the cable, etc. and concluded it's the camcorder that's faulty. Then I peeked at the camcorder's FireWire connector itself and could see that the little "bar" in the middle where the four tiny contacts rest had broken and is gone, so that there is little pressure to make these contacts rest squarely on the those with the plug that's put in. I could make it work by trying other cables and/or holding them a certain way, but in the end, after finding out that repairs would involve a hefty bill, I decided it's better put towards the cost of a new HD camcorder.
It's possible that the FireWire connector of your camcorder is intact but the internal electronics are not and that's just tough. Anyway, I have other camcorders and found out that all the tapes SP & LP I shot with this Panasonic could be read accurately (no mistracking or anything) by my Sony DCR-HC48E; you might want to try this route. Why don't u use your friend's Panasonic camcorder to transfer AVI to your HDD? You can continue to use your own to shoot

[better life]

It sometimes works sometimes not, so I guess that it is the connector's problem not the electronic's. Does any one know what the structure the 4 pin outlets looks like? If I take it apart and increase the tightness of the contact surface, it could work fine for a while.
For this time, I will have to borrow my friend's camcorder to make DVD.