HDR FX-1 "Unable to initialize video deck"
 

I just covered an event with my Sony HDR FX-1, but cannot capture the footage, as whenever I try to Log and Capture through Final Cut Pro 6, the message "Unable to initialize video deck" pops up. I did some research and found that alot of people have encountered this problem, but have solved it by engaging and/or disengaging in/out options such as "i.link conversion. In my case, I played with all of them, trying almost every combination of ons and offs, but did not have any luck with capturing.

The footage I shot was recorded at 1080i resolution, in 60i. My FCP settings are set to 'Easy Setup' HDV--1080i60. (I've also tried many other custom combinations, but no luck either...) I've tried powering down the MacBook Pro, hooking up the camera, turning on the camera, followed by the computer.....nothing.

I should also note that I cannot capture the HDV footage as NTSC DV either, through the i.link conv. I've bought another cable, tried 2 different MacBook pros...I'm stumped. Any help is greatly appreciated, as I have a deadline coming up and fear that this will set me back considerably.

The FW connector might be burned out on camera. I now always connect cameras (and decks) with computers (PC/Mac) with all units powered down to try and prevent this from happening.

I completely fried my Sony DSR 25's 1394 jack as well as the Pent 4 PC's 1394 card by connecting them up with both powered on. It won't always result in bad sparks, but it can do a little damage. Sony fixed my deck under warrenty, and the 1394 card was $35.00.

This looks like your issue. :(

Thanks for your reply Jeff, I will look into this. However, everytime I did any plugging or unplugging, everything was powered down. I also read that Final Cut does not get along with iLink..I don't know why this would be an issue though if I'm capturing HDV through a firwire 4 pin to 6 pin.

Also, can the Macbook Pro's firwire ports be fried, just as the FX-1's? I hate to say it, but I think my firewire ports are dead. They stopped working around the same time as I tried to capture...

Yes, the FW/i.link/1494 jacks in the computer as well as camera can be all cooked.

Of course you can try the camera with another Mac or PC and see if it has output. Or try another camera with that computer and see if any action is there.

But anyway, I have heard of FCP sometimes not seeing cameras, or failing to at first sight anyway. But Final Cut Pro likes FW (which is same as i.LINK) and generally gets along fine with it.

But this is not good what you are seeing. You much use another camera/computer to see what the hell happened.