I've had to send my Optura 50 back to the factory twice now for repair on a non-working DV port. When it came back this time the service detail said: "It was found that the DV port was damaged. The device could not communicate with the computer. The JACK PCB assembly was replaced. Second time damaged DV jack. Please replace your firewire cable."
I've used two firewire cables with this camcorder, one that has interchangeable ends so I can use it with the four-pin port on my laptop or the six-pin port on my PC. Could this be the problem? The other firewire cable I'ved use with it was borrowed from a friend who has a MAC. Could that be the problem? But my camcorder port was bad before I borrowed the second firewire - that's why I borrowed it - to test.
Anyway, I'm paranoid now to try anything on it. My one-year warranty has expired and I know it will cost $150 to have it repaired if it goes bad again.
I'd like to know where the problem lies before I do anything more. Suggestions?

Do like the man said -- dump your current cables, and get a cable (or one for each machine) that you can dedicate to just the camera.

Second: make sure you are in straight alignment when connecting the cable to the camera. Don't just jam it on, or pull it out at any angle (don't put strain on the cable when using it either. Almost any pressure to the side could flex the internal connectors of the socket, and break solder joints.

wulfraed said it well....

Be carefull.




Rich

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FireWire Survey

Yes indeed. I confess to destroying a Canon Optura 40i DV interface circuit by plugging the 6pin (big) end of a firewire cable the wrong way round into the computer. It was dark and I was reaching around the back of the computer and it felt as if it was going in right - shoddy firewire card! The quote to repair was NZ$530 (about US$350) so I did not get it repaired, cheaper to buy an old 2nd-hand modest DV camcorder and use that as a transfer deck.

It is all too easy to plug firewire in the wrong way round with disastrous results - be careful!