I can not get the firewire link to work. It used to work about a year ago on my old Pentium III wih Windows XP. I thought it might be a Vista problem when I got a new computer, but another computer with XP and Firewire will not recognize the camera either. I have got it to connect with USB and "Motion DV Studio" Software on Vista. Although the useability is limited and some functions are truncated. Mainly setting the In's and Out's and then using capture. I have to manually play the tape and then start Capture. It is irritating. Also Adobe Elements Premiere will recognize the camera with a USB but has no rewind or play options. I would like to fix the firewire issue.
I purchased the PV-Gs 300 about two years ago and upon delivery the firewire connection did not work. Now about two years later the firewire dropped dead again. I think it is a design flaw. I was told by one repair place it would cost me 400 to 600 dollars because the whole firewire board must be replaced. Not happy.I purchased the PV-Gs 300 about two years ago and upon delivery the firewire connection did not work. Now about two years later the firewire dropped dead again. I think it is a design flaw. I was told by one repair place it would cost me 400 to 600 dollars because the whole firewire board must be replaced. Not happy.
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This type of camera usually downloads better with a Firewire (DV) connection. Some mini-DV cameras only use the USB connection (if they have one) for stills and can only download video by Firewire. This is because you have to play the tape into the computer, not just copy a file. The way it works on my computer, the camera is controlled by the computer software.
Most PCs have a USB port, but no Firewire port. Macs often have a Firewire port but may not have USB. As most Windows PCs do not come with this interface, you might need to fit an add-on Firewire interface card. This will come with a driver for the card.
Whether this will work with Windows 7, I am not sure. My Mini-DV camera, using a Firewire cable, didn't need any camera driver loaded to the computer, just the movie editor that came with Windows XP.
I don't understand the "firewire to USB cable" reference. You can't just connect these two incompatible interfaces together with a cable. There is some kind of conversion device available to allow a Firewire connection to be made to a USB port, but the chatter on the forums says that it doesn't work with video cameras.
Some mini-DV cameras have a USB port, but only use it for stills and can only download video by Firewire. As most Windows PCs do not come with this interface, you might need to fit an add-on Firewire interface card. This will come with a driver for the card.
You don't say if you have the manual available for reference. If not, you can download a copy from THIS LINK
You have very limited options here:
1. Repair it yourself - If you don't have soldering skills, do not attempt this.
2. Send it into Panasonic -
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorders/MiniDV-Camcorders/Warranty-CCP/model.PV-GS300.W#ts
That site has all the warranty information and a number to call in order to get everything in motion.
3. Take it to your local electronics store - Although this is a dying breed, there are still stores all around the US that service electronics. Look in your yellow pages for the nearest repair store.
I found the recipe. To get my DV Camcorder to work using 1384 (Firewire) on my computer I did:
1. Get a good cable. If you paid less than $20 for it, you got the wrong one. 2. Ensure that the 1384 (firewire) port is enabled on your computer. Go into the BIOS setup and check to be sure. Mine was OFF! 3. If you get an error with Windows XP not being able to find your hardware, you need to get all the drivers. There are four or five of them along with a configuration file. Miss any one and you are dead. My solution was to reinstall Windows Service Pack 3. This took a long time, but fixed the driver problems.
I don't know if Windows XP Movie Maker can detect a firewire based video camera.
Do you have DVD burning software such as Nero in your computer? That has capture capability to it.
Pinnacle Studio will detect a firewire camera. It is reasonably priced and easy to use. In fact you can control your camcorder from Studio in case you need to rewind or fast forward the tape.
I would really think about the firewire port. Maybe a different card or updated drivers. Are you getting any messages in the event viewer? Also make sure that XP is up to date.
Anyway maybe you should just be happy that your firewire port works, there are many on here that are not that lucky...
I purchased the PV-Gs 300 about two years ago and upon delivery the firewire connection did not work. Now about two years later the firewire dropped dead again. I think it is a design flaw. I was told by one repair place it would cost me 400 to 600 dollars because the whole firewire board must be replaced. Not happy.
Have you tried a new Firewire Cable?
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