The camera went out on lone and came back today unable to connect to the firewire. Everything was working fine a couple of days ago, but now it won't get recongized by the computer. I'm sure it's something simple, but I'm stumped.

Here goes:

Camera is on and connected to the PC via firewire cable (up to a day or two ago, when this happened, the computer found the camera and everything was hunky dory....

Now - when the camera is on VCR mode - the display flashes "DV IN" on the display.

I've tried a reset - and no good.

Is there a secret switch? I've tried the AV/DV-OUT both on and off and neither seems to work.

I hope someone can help.

Dave

Dave,

I've got really bad news for you... it's probably going to cost about $475 to fix. I had the same exact problem.

Basically, the camera worked fine, except for importing and exporting video through the DV port.

2 options...

1) Send it back to sony to get it fixed... (don't let the online estimate fool you - the estimate only covers parts. the other hidden cost is for the labor)

2) Or, buy a used CANON Z30 for about $350 and use it as your dv tape player.

If you send it off to Sony, it takes about a month for them to get it back to you.

Thanks for the post- you're exactly right. We sent it off to the shop and it came back with a new card - and a bill of $420. They said that they are going to include a tip sheet of how to prevent this problem in the future - I've not seen it, but I'll re-post if there is anything out of the ordinary on it. Luckily there's a pretty good repair shop in our area - and the turn around was less than 5 days.

Again, I appreciate the follow-up.

Yeah, my vx2000 just started doiing that only DV IN thing tonight.. and I did a search on google and found this forum. which seems to be the only place on the whole net where anyone is talking about this problem... is this curcuit burning out a common problem with the Vx2000?
and how can I avoid it?

Guys, Thank you for posting about it or I would really be lost... Now I need to find an authorized sony repair shop in my town...


Jeremy

Jeremy,

I'd be interested to know how many other people have had this same problem with their camcorder.

I have the "how to prevent this problem from happening again" sheet from Sony. I'll have to post it online for everyone.

Frankly, $400-500 for a repair really sucks. Hopefully, no one else will have to go through the same thing.

They should have a recall for something like this.

Well, the camera is back and working very well. The shop attached a sheet with the information below.


"SYMPTOMS

There is no communication between the camera and the PC via the iLink connection. The iLink IC is damaged internally, and sometimes there is damage to the IC that can be seen on the top surface of the IC.

"CAUSE

"This sympton and damage are caused by excessive voltage being appplied to the iLink IC fron an outside source (the outside soure swould typically be the computer that the caera is connected to). The damage would ocure when the iLink cable is connected to a 6-pin iLink connector on the computer. These 6-pin connectors on the computer have voltages of approx. 18 Vdc that do not normally appear at the 4-pin endn of the cable that plugs into the camera. Following area several exapmles of how the excessive voltage might appear at the 4-pin end of the cable, resulting in damage to the iLink IC:

1. The 6-pin end of the cable is plugged in backwards into the computer. Once a cable is forced into the connector backwards just one time, the keying characteristic on the connector may become compromised which allows the cable to be plugged in backwards easily the next time.

2 - 6-pin connector on computer may be loose internally, allowing improper contact to be made with voltage sources when the cable is plugged-in, moved, or wiggled (may be intermittent).

3 - Cable has short circuit at 6-pin connector end (may be intermittent).

4- The cable may have had extra lenght spliced into it and the workmanship may be ppor.

RESOLUTION

Estimate the repair cost and advise the customer that the camera was damaged by excessive voltage from outside the camera, and that the reapir will not be covered under warranty. If the customer accepts the estimate, explain to him that the conditions that caused the damage probably still exist in the customer's environment, and that the repaired camera or deck will likely be damaged again, perhaps immediately, if the situation that caused the damage is not found and corrected before connecting the camera to the computer again."


Hope this makes sense.

God bless, and good luck,

Pastor Dave

"These 6-pin connectors on the computer have voltages of approx. 18 Vdc that do not normally appear at the 4-pin endn of the cable that plugs into the camera. "

I did a quick search on google for the pin-out on the 6 pin connectors and have found that pin 1 is ground and pin 2 is power.

The power can be as much as 40 volts. According to one site it is typically 12 volts due to the common voltages on a computer. However, some devices can supply more voltage.

The four pin connector on the Sony does not use pin 1 and 2 of the 6 pin connector.

A problem is if one plugs in the connector while the computer is on (on the 6 pin side).

On the 6 pin connector pins 1 an 2 are longer and make connections first which would make the voltage available and if a cable is put in wrong or at an angle it could apply the higher voltage to the adjacent pins and cause damage. It could also damage the computer.

I leave the cable connected to the computer all the time. I only plug and unplug it from the camera. This way there is less chance of problems on the computer (6 pin) side.

I have read reports elsewhere where others have had blown equipment while making connections while the computer is on with both USB and Fire Wire.

Twelve volts would be bad enough on the 5 volt lines, but the max of 40 volts would really do a number on it.

After all of the cautions you may take, there is still a chance that something could go wrong simply because of the computer end being 6 pin and the camera end being 4 pin.

Danny Fye

www.dannyfye.com

I have exactly the same problem and I have warranty. Next week I shall go to authorized dealer centre and see what they say

So, If you plug up everything before you turn it on, would it prevent this problem? I also leave my Firwire plugged in all the time and the cable laying on my desk top. However, I have noticed excessive static electricity and wonder if this is the problem. I ground the plastic case to the computer metal case with my hands before plugging up.
It seems there should be a hardware fix for this if it is a common problem.

PS/ So If I buy the cheapest Mini DV camcorder on the markett with 1394 and use it only for a plug up to my computer, I can save my 2000 from a certain death over time! No loss in quality from a cheapie?

__________________
ETP

That is one solution. here are some others.....stand alone D-A converters with firewire switching (see Key systems for some options), and a minidv deck.

In a pinch, you can also pass-through using S-Video to another camcorder that has a firewire connection, and just capture the stream from the firewire card. Not as clean of course, but not terrible to do if it's an emergency.

Is there any way to insulate those pins so that they aren't a problem? I also stumbled onto something called a "Firewire Insulator", does anybody know if this would keep it safe?

Not sure. I'd like to know too...

After the repair, I've become so nervous connecting my VX2K to the cable.

I just wish it was all wireless(bluetooth).

Hmm...

Another question. We have a front Firewire port in our case which we had to manually hook up to the mobo. If we were to just leave the lead pin disconnected, would that keep us safe from this problem? (I realize the port would be rendered useless for any peripheral requiring the 6-pin, but we'll probably only use our camera.)

I'd like to avoid this problem at all costs but I'd hate to do something that could be even more damaging to the computer.

You do not wish it was bluetooth, believe me. Honestly, all exposed/vulnerable cable interfaces are just that....vulnerable. However, some extra caution should keep you out of trouble for the most part.