plugged firewire backways at DVinfo.net

Mike Black · February 23rd, 2004, 07:18 AM

I am really worried. I took out my fire wire cablel from the computer, and when I plugged it back in I was in a hurry and could not see what I was doing and aparently plugged it in backways although it should only fit one way. The firewire plug in the computer was so sloppy that it allowed me to plug it in in reverse.
Now my VX2000 is not comunicating with the computer, and I fear the worst. I can still output using the RCA or s-video cables but not firewire.
Has anyone else done this , and if so give me the bad news.
I guess I will have to send it in to Sony?
My heart greives
Mike

Mike Rehmus · February 23rd, 2004, 12:44 PM

You could try several things.

1. A new cable. Maybe the old one now has bent pins.
2. Another firewire port on your computer.
3. Another camera (see if it will work)

Warning. Although I would doubt that a 'bad' camera would 'blow' a firewire port (especially since it's already been plugged in to yours) it could happen.

Kevin Arnold · February 23rd, 2004, 03:23 PM

The firewire port on most computers is a 6 pin configuration. The firewire port on most camcorders is 4 pin. If you flipped the 6 pin cable, you probably fired the i.Link port in the camera. Normally a 6 pin cable has pins 1 & 2 reserved for powering other 6 pin devices. A 6 to 4 pin cable doesnt use those two pins because a 4 pin device ( like a camera ) has its own power and doesnt need to get it from the cable.

When you flip the 6 pin connecter, it works out so that you send power to your camera to a pin where it should be getting data. Not good.

Kevin

Mike Black · February 24th, 2004, 09:47 PM

Thanks Mike and Kevin for your help.
I managed to try my camera with a different cable and computer and it definately looks like it is the firewire output DV plug or card in the camera that is bad.
I found this workshop picture some time ago which gives an idea of what will need to be changed.
http://www.camcorderservice.nl/fotos/vx2000fotos/SONY_DCR-VX2000_11.JPG
I will let you know what it costs to get this fixed.
I hope my experience will be helpfull so that noboby else does something as stupid as I did.
Mike

Mike Rehmus · February 25th, 2004, 12:59 AM

What really makes me mad is that they would design an interface that can be destroyed so easily. Really bad design.

February 23rd, 2004, 07:18 AM	#1
Mike Black Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica Posts: 37	plugged firewire backways I am really worried. I took out my fire wire cablel from the computer, and when I plugged it back in I was in a hurry and could not see what I was doing and aparently plugged it in backways although it should only fit one way. The firewire plug in the computer was so sloppy that it allowed me to plug it in in reverse. Now my VX2000 is not comunicating with the computer, and I fear the worst. I can still output using the RCA or s-video cables but not firewire. Has anyone else done this , and if so give me the bad news. I guess I will have to send it in to Sony? My heart greives Mike

February 23rd, 2004, 12:44 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	You could try several things. 1. A new cable. Maybe the old one now has bent pins. 2. Another firewire port on your computer. 3. Another camera (see if it will work) Warning. Although I would doubt that a 'bad' camera would 'blow' a firewire port (especially since it's already been plugged in to yours) it could happen. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 25th, 2004, 12:59 AM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	What really makes me mad is that they would design an interface that can be destroyed so easily. Really bad design. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

February 23rd, 2004, 03:23 PM	#3
Kevin Arnold Tourist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4	The firewire port on most computers is a 6 pin configuration. The firewire port on most camcorders is 4 pin. If you flipped the 6 pin cable, you probably fired the i.Link port in the camera. Normally a 6 pin cable has pins 1 & 2 reserved for powering other 6 pin devices. A 6 to 4 pin cable doesnt use those two pins because a 4 pin device ( like a camera ) has its own power and doesnt need to get it from the cable. When you flip the 6 pin connecter, it works out so that you send power to your camera to a pin where it should be getting data. Not good. Kevin

February 24th, 2004, 09:47 PM	#4
Mike Black Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica Posts: 37	Thanks Mike and Kevin for your help. I managed to try my camera with a different cable and computer and it definately looks like it is the firewire output DV plug or card in the camera that is bad. I found this workshop picture some time ago which gives an idea of what will need to be changed. http://www.camcorderservice.nl/fotos/vx2000fotos/SONY_DCR-VX2000_11.JPG I will let you know what it costs to get this fixed. I hope my experience will be helpfull so that noboby else does something as stupid as I did. Mike