Sony JDR-HC5 Not Connecting to Computer?

Question

The Firewire is plugged in properly to both the computer and camcorder. I waited until it was plugged in before turning the camcorder on. It's on Play/Edit mode. Why won't Windows Movie Maker recognize this as a device? There is no driver I can download off of Sony's website. I don't have the software for the driver. I've been at this for 3 days. Please help.

Answer 1

Did the camcorder come with any software?? Have you tried live help at the Sony support site??

Answer 2

Firewire does not use device-specific drivers like USB does, so you will never find drivers to download or install for the camera. The only drivers would be the firewire card drivers.

There are six things I can think of...

1) You are recording in - and want to import - HDV. SInce you did not tell us what computer operating system version you are using, it is impossible to know - but it is possible you are on an older version of MovieMaker that cannot handle HDV.

2) We do not know how log you have had the camcorder or if you have used it before. There are a couple of menu settings that should be left alone and the factory defaults should be there. Specifically, with the camcorder on and in "Tape" mode, the "i.LINK CONV should be off. Check the manual - there is a way to reset the camcorder to factory defaults.

3) You are actually using the USB cable that came in the box rather than a firewire cable. As you have found, this will not work. You need to use the DV port next to the USB port... and a firewire cable that plugs into the firewire port on your computer.

4) The firewire port on your computer in not active. Right click on "My Computer": Properties: Hardware: Device Manager... is there a listing for IEEE1394? is it active?

5) Replace the firewire cable.

6) Previously, someone plugged the firewire cable already connected to the computer then into the camcorder when the camcorder was powered up and shorted the pins in the firewire connector... killing the camcorder's firewire port. This would need to be repaired/replaced by a qualified technician. This scenario is unlikely.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Try to check w/ papa John's tutorials (thanks to papa John):

http://www.papajohn.org/